The Nebraska Boys all-star team finished a very creditable 2-2 at the Rocky Mountain Challenge, and like a lot of quickly-assembled select sides, they feel that they would like another shot at playing to show how far they’ve come.

They will get their wish. Unlike most select sides this season, Nebraska is going to two separate tournaments. After a solid showing in Colorado in which they lost to Texas and Heart of America, and edged Idaho before beating Lousiana on kicks after they tied 5-5.

“We are a very young team and still developing,” said Coach David Synnott. “It’s been a lot of work to get the players up to the all-state level. We’ve got a lot of coaches working to get the level up on Nebraska, and the players are working at it, too.”

Nebraska was led by captain Connor Fischman, who will be playing at Grand Canyon University in the fall. He was a solid presence on the field, playing both flanker and hooker, and has been all-state three years in a row.

“He’s a really good mix of speed and power,” said Synnott.

Flyhalf Ethan Brooks was solid, and can kick goals (seeing as successful kicks won both Nebraska victories at the RMC). 

This performance came together despite the loss of top players such as Hanco Germishuys , Nick Kwasniewski, Ryan Littlegeorge, and Sean O’Neill, all Stars & Stripes or higher selections. 

Synnott said he knows the team needs more time, and so they are off to Rockford with basically the same squad to play in the Midwest RCT. 

This will be a tournament where Nebraska can build on last week. They are one of only three all-state teams in the Boys HS Varsity bracket (the others are teams from part of a state), and are experienced as a group.

Here is list of boys teams at the Midwest RCT:

Boys HS Varsity:

Celtic Elite
Illinois Tornados N
Illinois Tornados S
Kentucky Thoroughbreds
Michigan East
Missouri
Nebraska

Boys HS JV:

Illinois Tornados N
Illinois Tornados S
Missouri

Boys MS:

Illinois Hurricanes - East
Illinois Hurricanes - North
Illinois Hurricanes - South
Illinois Hurricanes - West