Sidney advances to first state football championship game with win over Lakeview
Sidney is heading to Lincoln. The Red Raiders beat Lakeview 28-24 to reach the Class C1 state championship game for the first time in program history.
By News Channel NebraskaCOLUMBUS – Sidney is heading to Memorial Stadium for the first time in school history.
The third-seeded Red Raiders stayed unbeaten and earned their first state championship berth with a 28-24 win over No. 2 Columbus Lakeview in the Class C1 semifinals Friday night. Sidney (12-0) will face the winner of the Wahoo–Ashland-Greenwood matchup in the C1 title game at 9:15 a.m. MST on Tuesday, Nov. 25 in Lincoln.
Sidney used a balanced offensive attack and a resilient defensive effort to hold off the Vikings, who entered the night undefeated. The Red Raiders finished with 263 total yards, including 167 on the ground.
Quarterback Alek Doty accounted for two touchdowns, completing 9 of 14 passes for 96 yards and two scores while adding 48 rushing yards on 15 carries. Running back Rhys Dorcey powered the ground game with 21 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 15-yard pass.
Tight end Keian Kaiser added 31 rushing yards on three carries and caught four passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Kale Kaiser provided one of the game’s biggest plays with a 51-yard touchdown reception and finished with two catches for 53 yards.
Lakeview (11-1) totaled 316 yards, including 184 passing from quarterback Rylin Viergutz, who threw two touchdowns. Blake Rathbone caught seven passes for 108 yards and both scores and added a rushing touchdown. The Vikings also received 57 rushing yards from fullback Brandon DeAnda and 43 from Jett Borer.