Jett Thomalla broke the 11-man state record for touchdown passes and cleared the 8,000-yard passing milestone Thursday night.
Then sat down, as usual, for the second half.
Top-ranked Millard South’s defense gave the Alabama recruit the ball for nine touchdown drives, the Patriots (4-1, including a forfeited game) snapping the ball only seven times on their side of midfield while taking a 63-0 halftime lead.
As they had in the Patriots’ first three Nebraska wins, reserves finished out the 77-0 win at Buell Stadium. It was the most points the Patriots have scored in a game and the worst loss in 2-3 Southeast’s storied history.
Millard South’s defense, which logged 83 tackles for loss in its first four games, had 12 of its 17 before halftime. Southeast finished with three first downs, the first on a penalty, and 9 net yards. It took one snap from the 50.
Thomalla was 22 of 26 for 353 yards and five touchdowns to as many receivers. Owen Zach (41 yards), Amarion Jackson (19), Isaac Jensen (26), Nelsyn Wheeler (50) and Toris Rudd (22) hauled those in.
Southeast’s best chance to force a punt, a third-and-25 at midfield in the second quarter after the Knights’ only sack of Thomalla, turned into Wheeler’s touchdown. Thomalla threw a deep screen to the Illinois running back pledge, who wheeled to the outside and won the race.
It was the 100th career TD pass for the 6-foot-4, 215-pound slinger, who moved past Class C-1 record-holder Abram Scholting of Pierce (2019-22). Thomalla’s career yardage stands at 8,189.
Gabe Prucha had four touchdowns, including one as the first of two quarterbacks to play in the second half. Millard South’s last touchdown was a 23-yard pass to the end zone from third quarterback Collin Tippery to Jesse Johnson with 1:57 to play.
Get the full story later on Omaha.com
stu.pospisil@owh.com, twitter.com/stuOWH
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Stu Pospisil
Reporter – High school sports
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