High School Football Preview: Bishop Neumann aims to return to state title game
WAHOO, Neb. (KLKN) — The Wahoo Bishop Neumann Cavaliers are looking to finish what they started in 2024.
The Cavaliers are heading into the new season after an 11-2 season in 2024 that ended with them competing for a state championship at Memorial stadium. Norfolk Catholic defeated Bishop Neumann 27-13 in the Class C-2 finals.
But this year some things are different.
The Cavaliers will be without star running back Conor Booth, who graduated and now has a spot on Nebraska football’s roster.
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Bishop Neumann will also have a new face on the sidelines after head coach Jordan Roberts stepped down from his role.
So in comes Joe Pavlik to lead the way for the Cavaliers this season.
This will be Pavlik’s third year as a high school head coach, having spent his first two seasons coaching in Syracuse. He led the Rockets to back-to-back 5-4 seasons.
Pavlik’s plan for the Cavaliers now is to keep the train rolling.
“The prior staff did a great job,” he said. “These kids are motivated, they’re hardworking, they have great attention to detail and great energy. Just building on that and continuing that tradition is very, very important. But the big things here are energy, effort and no ego.”
Some seniors expected to lead the way this year include starting middle linebacker Jack Van Slyke and starting tackle Matt Thulin.
“I’m always looking for the next game, still focused on one game at a time, and getting better each game,” Van Slyke said.
Thulin credits last year’s senior group for showing them the way, and said they’re now ready to carry on the culture while gearing up for new challenges.
“I think I looked up to them a lot; I think Jack did, too,” Thulin said. “We’re an explosive team. We’re explosive on defense. I think we got a really good offense coming. New role model, new coaches. It’s going to be great this year.”
With new faces in new places, this team feels it can finish what it started last year, chasing a championship.
“Us, as a team, we’re totally able to get to that championship level,” Thulin said.
Bishop Neumann will kick off its 2025 season in a rematch of the state championship game.
The Cavaliers will hit the road to play Norfolk Catholic on Aug. 29.
