State Championship Bracket First Impressions: Class C1 and C2

Let's continue our first look at the newly released state championship brackets! We've just finished up our look at Class A and B, and now it's time to keep rolling with Class C1 and C2!

These two classes have perhaps some of the greatest parity in the state. Good luck trying to predict the winners here. Before we get too deep into any analysis, let's start you off with just a few storylines and initial thoughts from another exciting bracket release.

Tight Field of Favorites

It's going to be really tough to separate the top few seeds in both of these classes.

If it's any indication of the parity in Class C1, (2) Grand Island Central Catholic didn't even get the #1 seed after a spectacular 30-1 showing this year. That honor went to Kearney Catholic, a team that likely remembers the five-set thriller they played with the second-seeded Crusaders during the regular season.

Lincoln Lutheran also looms as an incredibly dangerous three seed in C1. The Warriors have sustained a very high level of play in district competition, and they have to be one of most popular upset picks in the state.

It's a similar story in Class C2. Oakland-Craig, Wisner-Pilger, and Clarkson/Leigh make up the top three seeds after the trio battled in the C2 wildcard race all year. Class C2 was an unpredictable gauntlet with each of these top three teams taking at least six losses. Postseason pressure could produce similar parity.

Sleeper Teams Galore

It would be unwise to automatically pencil in the higher seeds to advance through these brackets. There's a lot of upset potential across the board.

The #4 and #5 spots in Class C1 have a couple of very worthy challengers. Columbus Lakeview and Syracuse turned in fantastic 2021 campaigns and have been looking forward to the postseason for a while now. These stacked squads will face each other for a chance to get one step closer to state glory.

Superior is going to be a trendy choice to make some waves in Class C2. The Wildcats obviously have the firepower on the pins to conquer anyone that stands in their way, and now they know the path that's ahead of them. Never count this group out.

Of course, Norfolk Catholic has some unfinished business in this tournament, too. After falling just short in a five-set match for last year's championship, the Knights have extra motivation for this postseason and will undoubtedly embrace their role as a seventh-seeded underdog. This team has something to prove.