Football · Preview · Class D1
No. 5 Crofton vs. No. 12 Elkhorn Valley: a rematch of Crofton's 60-16 win on Oct. 2
No. 5 Crofton (8-1) hosts No. 12 Elkhorn Valley (6-3) in the Class D1 first round Fri., Oct. 30. Stats, charts, players to watch, history and keys to the game.
Publication check, Oct. 28: Current NSAA seeds, records and point averages checked; kickoff and host details synchronized with the verified site schedule. Season statistics and chart reporting remain the dated Week9 draft snapshot, not a new full-season audit.
Seeds, records and point averages: NSAA's official bracket, Oct. 24, 2026. Scores: NSAA finals. Player stats: MaxPreps game reports through Week 9. Coaches poll: Hurrdat Sports, Oct. 18.
Crofton and Elkhorn Valley have already seen each other this season: on Oct. 2, Crofton won 60-16. Now they meet again with the season on the line.
The game is Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:00 PM CT. Host: Crofton. Current Game Center and source links →
The matchup at a glance
Crofton finished 3.4444 points ahead of Elkhorn Valley in NSAA's point averages. Crofton scored 59.0 and allowed 14.3 points a game; Elkhorn Valley scored 34.4 and allowed 25.0. Crofton's opponents went a combined 44-37, and Elkhorn Valley's went 40-41.
| Crofton | Elkhorn Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | No. 5 | No. 12 |
| Record (NSAA) | 8-1 | 6-3 |
| NSAA point average | 44.4444 | 41.0000 |
| Coaches poll (Oct. 18) | No. 5 | Not ranked |
| Points scored / game | 59.0 | 34.4 |
| Points allowed / game | 14.3 | 25.0 |
| Average margin | +44.7 | +9.4 |
| vs. playoff teams | 3-1 | 1-3 |
| vs. winning teams | 5-1 | 2-3 |
| One-score games | — | 0-1 |
| Opponents' combined record | 44-37 | 40-41 |
| Last 3 games | W 80-10, W 62-13, W 79-14 | W 54-22, W 30-14, W 34-12 |
| Streak | Won 5 | Won 3 |
How Crofton got here
Crofton finished the regular season 8-1, scoring 531 points and allowing 129. Its only loss came against a team with a winning record: Stanton (9-0), 40-24. Its best win by opponent was a 62-13 win at Hartington-Newcastle (8-1), a playoff team. Against teams that made this year's playoff field, it went 3-1. It comes in on a 5-game winning streak, capped by a 79-14 win over Gordon-Rushville (2-7) in Week 9. The defense posted two shutouts.
How Elkhorn Valley got here
Elkhorn Valley finished the regular season 6-3, scoring 310 points and allowing 225. All three losses came against teams with winning records: Wisner-Pilger (7-2), 34-30; at Hartington-Newcastle (8-1), 56-8; Crofton (8-1), 60-16. Its signature result was a 44-6 win at Creighton (7-2). Against teams that made this year's playoff field, it went 1-3. It comes in on a 3-game winning streak, capped by a 34-12 win at Lutheran High Northeast (1-8) in Week 9.
By the numbers
Shared opponents
They played four of the same opponents. Crofton went 4-0 in those games and Elkhorn Valley went 3-1. Different weeks and sites, so it's a rough guide.
| Opponent | Crofton | Elkhorn Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon-Rushville | W 79-14 | W 54-22 |
| Hartington-Newcastle * | W 62-13 | L 8-56 |
| Lutheran High Northeast | W 68-0 | W 34-12 |
| West Holt | W 80-10 | W 30-14 |
Players to watch
Season totals from MaxPreps game reports through Week 9. Not every game has a report, so treat these as minimums.
Crofton
- P. Foxhoven (QB): 630 passing yards, 31 of 69, 8 TD, 2 INT
- T. Jackson: 1,248 rushing yards (9.2 per carry), 29 TD
- T. Allen: 11 catches, 275 yards, 3 TD
- T. Jackson: 54 tackles, 4 for loss
- P. Foxhoven: 2 interceptions
MaxPreps game reports cover 8 of its 9 games.
Elkhorn Valley
- K. Werner (QB): 938 passing yards, 64 of 106, 14 TD, 5 INT
- B. Krick: 318 rushing yards (4.2 per carry), 4 TD
- L. Black: 24 catches, 320 yards, 4 TD
- L. Black: 57 tackles, 6 for loss
- L. Black: 2 interceptions
MaxPreps game reports cover 8 of its 9 games.
Historical program and playoff-series claims are withheld pending school-identity verification. Current-season reporting above is unaffected.
Keys to the game
- Can Elkhorn Valley slow Crofton's offense? Crofton averaged 59.0 points; Elkhorn Valley allowed 25.0. Crofton scored 30 or more in 8 of 9 games.
- Elkhorn Valley's answer. It scored 34.4 a game, and Crofton's defense allowed 14.3. In its losses, though, Elkhorn Valley averaged 18.0.
- Tested against playoff teams. Crofton went 3-1 against this year's playoff field; Elkhorn Valley went 1-3.
- If it's close late. Crofton hasn't played a one-score game (8 points or fewer) this season. Elkhorn Valley is 0-1 in them.
- P. Foxhoven and the ball. Crofton's quarterback threw 2 interceptions in 69 reported attempts; Elkhorn Valley's L. Black has 2 picks.
- Stopping T. Jackson. Crofton's top rusher has 1,248 reported yards and 29 touchdowns. Elkhorn Valley allowed 25.0 points a game.
What's next
The winner plays the winner of No. 4 Ravenna vs. No. 13 Cross County in the quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 6. Higher seeds host through the semifinals. The Class D1 state final is Mon., Nov. 23, 2:45 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Lincoln.
Game center: kickoff, live score and bracket path → · Full Class D1 bracket →
Verified state finals schedule → · Class bracket →
Crofton team center → · Elkhorn Valley team center →
Nebraska football scores and schedules → · Football playoff tracker →