2016 marks the 15th year of The Clash Dual tournament that is held in Rochester, Minnesota. The No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 21, No. 24, No. 26, No. 37, and No. 50 nationally ranked high school teams are competing from 16 different states. Plattsmouth is the only Nebraska team out of the 32 teams competing at the tournament this year.
“The type of competition we’ll see at the Clash, is the type of competition we’ll see on the last day of the state tournament.”
-Plattsmouth Head Coach Curtis Gocke.
For as tough as this tournament is, Plattsmouth’s schedule doesn’t taper off much moving forward. Their very next meet is the EMC Conference duals, which includes the following teams: Gretna, Bennington, Elkhorn South, Nebraska City, Blair, Waverly, Norris and Elkhorn.
Nebraska teams who have competed at The Clash:
2016- Clash 14: Plattsmouth
2015- Clash 13: Grand Island Senior High
2014- Clash 12: Grand Island Senior High, Skutt Catholic
2013- Clash 11: None
2012- Clash 10: None
2011- Clash 9: Grand Island Senior High, Skutt Catholic
2010- Clash 8: Grand Island Senior High
2009- Clash 7: Skutt Catholic
2008- Clash 6: Creighton Prep
2007- Clash 5: Skutt Catholic, Valentine
2006- Clash 4: Burke, Skutt Catholic, Valentine
2005- Clash 3: Burke, Gross Catholic, Skutt Catholic
2004- Clash 2: Burke, Gross Catholic, Skutt Catholic
2003- Clash 1: Lincoln East, Skutt Catholic
How does a team get into The Clash?
After winning the class B state duals title in February, Plattmouth Head Coach Curtis Gocke received an invitation from the Clash tournament directors back in April. Gocke spoke with former high school coaches Mike Schadwinkel (Grand Island Senior High) and Brad Hildebrandt (Skutt Catholic), and knew that he had to get Plattmouth’s foot in the door and take advantage of the opportunity. The tournament directors of the Clash aim to have 25% of the teams from Minnesota, 25% from neighboring states and 50% from the best teams in the nation regardless of state.
Plattsmouth’s Lineup:
106-Chase Larsen, Hunter Smith
113-Anthony Long
120-Chance Taylor, Caleb Laney
126-Andrew Nielsen, Brock Bashus
132-Brody Bashus
138-Open
145-Jordan Geiger
152-Jayden Wooten
160-Bronson Newburn
170-Kole Gray
182-Devin Pfeifer, Oscar Hinton, Drake Rader
220-Trevor Nielsen
285-Open
Coach Gocke’s keys to success for this tournament:
1. Take 1 dual at at time and have realistic expectations
2. Take the first shot and take control of each match.
3. Intensity in the handfight and coming off bottom needs to be very high.
4. Focus on doing what we do best and get into positions to execute our attacks.
The Blue Devils will rely on Chase Larsen, Anthony Long, Andrew Nielsen and Kole Gray to set the tone. Chance Taylor, Brody Bashus, Jayden Wooten and Devin Pfeifer can prove their mettle with solid performances this weekend.
“We are using this whole trip as a learning experience. If we wait on our opponents, we’ll be in trouble.” -Curtis Gocke