Marching Band Adds To Excitement Of All-Star Football Game

Band students from across the area, including Neligh-Oakdale, performed during Saturday's Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic.

From the National Anthem to pep band, the students kept a fun atmosphere during the hot weather. The temperature on the field reached 105 degrees.  

During half-time, the marching band performed several patriotic songs and ended with the fan-favorite "No Place Like Nebraska" as the stadium erupted in applause. 

The students were nominated to participate in the event by their own director, according to Neligh-Oakdale band director Nate Metschke.

“You want to nominate students you would like to spend a week with, first off,” he explained. “Secondly, I like to nominate the kids who are really good players and have high character.”

While many students admit that the high intensity of the week brings with it many challenges, including the high temperatures and learning how to march with kids from different schools, they also admit that they greatly enjoy the experience. The opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and perform differently then what they are used to is exciting for the participants.

“I did a little bit of field marching my freshman year and I always liked it, so I’m kind of excited to do it again,” said Alexis Jensen, a Neligh-Oakdale senior-to-be.

With the students practicing from 1 p.m. to until nearly 9 p.m. each day and with temperatures surging higher than 90 degrees, keeping the students safe and happy has been key. Directors have made sure to give the band members breaks often when they are working outside.

They also spend much of their time not carrying their instruments to help reduce the workload of the students as they learn the formations for the halftime show. Metschke has also made a point of rewarding his students at the end of each day.

“I make sure to get them ice cream every night on the way home,” he admitted.

This year’s show is a patriotic theme. It will consist of two medleys, a service set to honor the veterans and will conclude with the song “No Place Like Nebraska.” Jayda Chance, a senior-to-be at Neligh-Oakdale, said she was looking forward to playing the enduring music.

Participants: Emma Bixler – Neligh; Hailey Bixler – Neligh; Sierra Centamore – Neligh; Jayda Chance – Neligh; Wynter Fulsaas – Neligh; Jorden Fulsaas – Neligh; Alexis Jensen – Neligh; Jordan Knievel – Neligh; Celina Knievel – Neligh; Brittany McConnell – Neligh; Zia Moore – Neligh; Andrew Sanderson – Neligh.

Chase Abler – Norfolk Catholic; Eleanora Andrade‐Goeken – Stanton; Isaiah Baker – Norfolk; Dani Bennett – Norfolk; Jonah Brodersen – Wayne; Jetzabel Castellano – Norfolk; Emily Claussen – Wayne; David Fanta – Norfolk Catholic; Amber Fehrs – Norfolk; Mckenzie Field – Norfolk; Shelby Fisher – Norfolk; Maureen Flaherty – Norfolk; Wyatt Flesner – Pierce; Rosemary Gubbels – Plainview; Grace Heithold – Wayne; Dante Hewitt – Norfolk; Riley Hewitt – Norfolk; Kitra Hirschman – Stanton; MaKaila Holland – Norfolk; Symphony Jareske – Wayne; Jessica Jensen – Osmond; Leslie Jensen – Osmond; Riley Johnson – Norfolk; Ky Kenny – Wayne; Devin Kerber – Pierce; Alex Kesting – Pierce; Cierra Kirkland – Pender; Eli Kliment – Creighton; Ethan Koehler – Norfolk; Ellie Kumm – Norfolk; Aleia Kumm – Osmond; Sadie Lamplot – Pender; Justin Larson – Pierce; Beth Lerner – Stanton; Angie Lopez – Norfolk; Raymond Lux – Norfolk Catholic; LeAnn Mandl – Stanton; Austin Matthies – Norfolk; Guillermo Mendez – Norfolk; Hannah Mills – Norfolk; Ethan Morland – Norfolk Catholic; Abigail Nemec – Norfolk; Desiree Ortiz – Norfolk; Karla Ortiz – South Sioux; Jacob Pederson – Pierce; Katie Rusk – Norfolk; Hayley Schmidt – Pender; Amanda Schmidt – Stanton; Brittany Schuchman – Stanton; Kate Schultz – Wayne; Terran Sievers – Wayne; Chloe Strong – Norfolk; Macie Timm – Pierce; Susan Venteicher – Pierce; Vanessa VonSeggern – Pender; Elizabeth Vosburg – Norfolk; Brittani Wacker – Plainview; MaKenzie Walton – Norfolk; Sarah Watson – Plainview; Matthew Williams – Pierce; Taylor Williams – Pierce.

Directors: Todd Cook, Clint Dennis, Samantha Hahn, Carrie Jensen, Nate Metschke, Mike Sindt, Brad Weber.