Clark’s Corner, 10/12: Football 101 giving York moms and dads an inside look at what their kids learn everyday on the football field.

Family and football. Glen Snodgrass thinks it’s a great match.

“When we say family it’s not just players, it’s everybody,” the York head coach said.

That’s what made Wednesday a special evening for Snodgrass, his coaching staff and the Duke players. The York football team revived its football 101 family event, where Snodgrass invites the players’ parents and family members to get an up-close look at the game.

No, mom and dad didn’t throw on the shoulder pads. Close, though. They learned about the details that go into running an offense, technique and punt coverage. They even got to look over a game script before diving into some pizza.

It’s an opportunity for families to bond and for parents to learn what their children generally take in at practice.

“Just so they kind of know what (the players) are seeing, so they understand how much there is for these kids to learn,” Snodgrass said. “Because I think 98% of the average football fans have no idea how much stuff there is between offense, defense and special teams, and techniques of all the different positions.”

Snodgrass started hosting football 101 events when he coached at Overton. He continued the event when he got to York, but shelved it for a few years while waiting for a new cycle of parents to come through the program, and because of COVID-19.

Initially, he put on the session for the moms. But the fathers were just as interested, Snodgrass said.

Who enjoys the event more? Mom? Dad? The players?

Snodgrass says it’s a combination of all three, though many parents come away pleasantly surprised by how much goes into the teachings of high school football. The mothers have really enjoyed it.

“The kids have really enjoyed it, too,” Snodgrass said. “We really like the kids coaching the parents and telling them what they do.”

Football 101 also gives parents a chance to learn more about what steps the coaches take to make the game safe for their children. During a time when football numbers are decreasing nationwide because of safety concerns, events like the one put on by York can help ease concerns while at the same time offer a slice of fun (and pizza).

After Lincoln Northwest forfeited most of its games, York was left with a bye this week. The Dukes, now ranked No. 8 in Class B, are coming off a 28-14 win against rival Seward.

Football 101 isn’t Friday Night Lights, but it may have been the next best thing at York.

“Our seniors, our whole team, they’re missing out on a home game with this bye week so it’s just another opportunity to get out there on our game field,” Snodgrass said.

Today’s @nfmtweets Player of the Day is Lincoln Pius X senior Nicole Kolbas. #nfmpartner #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/wFGqQODa5J

— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) October 12, 2022

Kolbas swings for three

It was a treat watching Lincoln Pius X’s Nicole Kolbas play golf for four high school seasons. Her consistency on the tee box and her splendid short game are big reasons why she is now a three-time state champion.

Kolbas showed something else during her quest for No. 3 earlier this week at Norfolk Country Club. The Indiana commit displayed a ton of grit. It wasn’t her best tournament (she shot a two-round 151), but Kolbas found a way to hold off multiple contenders.

It was quite a prep career for Kolbas, who finished tied for second at state as a freshman. The top three rounds in Class A state meet history belong to Kolbas, who fired rounds of 67 and 69 last year and a 69 as a sophomore. She also holds the all-class two-round record with her 136 from last year.

1️⃣…2️⃣…3️⃣????@NicoleKolbas of @BoltPx wins her 3rd straight Class A Individual Title with a 151 (+7) total. Just the 2nd player to win at least 3 Class A titles!#nebpreps | #nebgolf pic.twitter.com/EwkfAbyRj5

— #NebGolf (@NGAgolf) October 11, 2022

Zelasney in elite company (we assume)

It’s good to see Osceola’s Isaiah Zelasney back on the football field.

The senior scored his 100th career touchdown in his team’s win over High Plains on Friday. Zelasney also has 1,000 career basketball points to his name, which begs the question: How many prep athletes have scored 100 touchdowns and 1,000 basketball points?

It’s got to be a very short list.

By the way, Zelasney has eight gold medals in track. (And he’s not done!)

By the way …

The eight-man playoff brackets will be released Saturday morning.

We will have the exclusive reveal of the bracket with our partners at strivsports.com in conjunction with the Nebraska School Activities Association.

Monarch softball extends streak

One of my favorite events, the state softball tournament, is well underway in Hastings. Unbeaten Gretna and Omaha Marian are the favorites in Class A. The first day of the tournament did have at least one notable nugget.

Papillion-La Vista won its first-round game against Elkhorn South, pushing its streak of tournament-opening wins to 29. The Monarchs lost in the first round at state in 1993, the first season of NSAA-sanctioned softball. They haven’t lost a first-round game since.

It wasn’t easy this year. Elkhorn South scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh before Papio held on for a 6-5 win.

Future Husker digging it!

Bennington’s Olivia Mauch is showing why she may be the best libero in the state. The Nebraska recruit had 47 digs – 47!! – in the Badgers’ five-set win against Waverly last week. The junior followed with a 29-dig (in two sets) showing against Norris in the EMC Tournament – another Badger win.

Mauch easily leads the state in digs, averaging 8.7 per set. She may challenge the Class B record for digs in a season. Omaha Skutt’s Julia Faltin had 771 in 2013. Mauch has 617.