Its offense is averaging 553 yards a game. Its defense has allowed a field goal in two games.

Crete's football team has lived up to its promise as the favorite to win Class B for the third time in five years and retake the title from two-time defending champion Aurora. The Cardinals are No. 1 in Class B and eighth in the overall Top 10.

“It's hard to tell this early how good they are, but you know they're going to get better," Omaha Skutt coach Matt Turman said.

Turman saw firsthand Friday night how good Crete can be. His SkyHawks, a perennial playoff team but beat up by injuries this year, lost 40-0 at home to the Cardinals.

The Cardinals returned 17 starters from a team that ran off five consecutive wins to reach the 2009 state quarterfinals, in which they lost 20-13 to Skutt. Among them are the “Big Three” — Nebraska line recruit Ryne Reeves, bruising running back Brock Sherman and playmaker Ben Muff.

“I think we've played well," Crete coach Chuck McGinnis said. “There's plenty of things we need to improve on. One area we constantly address is consistency, but early in the season that's fairly typical."

Reeves, now listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, is part of a veteran offensive line.

“I've been saying this for a long time now, but he's a special player," McGinnis said. “He has a 420 bench press, great feet and also is very good in the classroom. When we move him around on offense to utilize his talents, I'm not worried about his assignments.”

Sherman is averaging 210 rushing yards a game and has scored four touchdowns. He was a 1,500-yard rusher as a junior.

“He's very physical. He usually doesn't go down on first contact," said McGinnis, the 2007 Nebraska high school boys coach of the year. “He has the ability to wear down defenses, and he's playing very well at linebacker. Sometimes that gets overlooked because of his running-back play."

Muff scored three ways against Skutt — a 100-yard interception return, a 78-yard run and a 54-yard pass play.

“A special athlete," McGinnis said. “We're always looking for ways to get him the ball. He can change the game in a hurry. He's another one who on defense is a tremendous free safety."

Reeves anchors a strong line. Teammates include Chase Sherman, Brock's 250-pound junior brother; Johnny Avelar, Bernie Rodriguez and the only newcomer, junior tackle John Hoesche.

“That's just an outstanding group," McGinnis said. “The only downside with Ryne playing so well is they get overlooked. As a unit, they're playing extremely well."

Another key to the offense's success is junior quarterback Derek McGinnis, the coach's son. He has improved in all facets from last year, his father said.

“His confidence level is higher. He's a lot stronger physically," the coach said. “He's capable of doing more things on offense that complements our other playmakers. His decision-making, with a year's experience, has improved."

Does Crete have a weakness?

“Running the ball is tough against them," Skutt's Turman said. “They maybe are a little susceptible to the pass because their secondary is so aggressive to the ball. We wanted to take advantage and couldn't do it.

“Offensively, they might even be better than on the defensive side. They run their power, and their quarterback has improved as a passer. And they have nice receivers."

Crete outyarded Skutt 339-63 in the first two quarters and was so far ahead in the fourth quarter that the clock began running continuously. By rule, the game clock does not stop when one team is ahead by 35 points in the second half — a situation Skutt is not used to facing.

Crete visits 0-2 Waverly on Friday. Later games against Adams Central, Beatrice and Lincoln Pius X will tell the state and the Cardinals themselves how good they may be.

“We're just constantly trying to get better every day," coach McGinnis said. “Our focus is to concentrate on us and not let outside voices get to us. We'll enjoy the process, but I don't know where this group will end up."

Contact the writer:

444-1041, stu.pospisil@owh.com

Video highlights from the Crete vs. Skutt game.

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