The 1998 football team had 32 seniors, and 17 juniors returning from the 1997 State Championship team, but no returning starters. After a couple of losses during the season, one to Beatrice on a last second field goal in week two, and then a one point loss to Class A Fremont in week five, this team was determined to win another state championship. Once the play-offs started they beat Waverly 53-3, Norris 34-8, Elkhorn 25-8, and in the semi-finals beat Gretna 31-9. In the championship game they played a 12-0 Chadron High team that was led by an all-state quarterback. The Bolts were ready for the challenge and won 39-14. They became the first Class B team to win back-to-back state championships. The team averaged 41 points per game and held their opponents to 11 points per game for the season. Several players gained all-state, and all-city recognition. Over the course of the ’97 and ’98 seasons this group had a combined record of 21-3. The team sadly lost a key member in 2003 with the passing of Matt Grosserode.
