A lopsided loss last week to close the regular season didn’t set well with Papillion-La Vista, which took out its frustration Friday night on Omaha Creighton Prep.

Quarterback Jeff Weander threw for 299 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Monarchs to a 28-22 win over the Junior Jays in a first-round playoff game at Caniglia Field. Seventh-ranked Papillion-La Vista (8-2) advanced to play top-ranked Millard South next Friday while fifth-ranked Prep finished 7-3.

The Monarchs entered the game following a 56-38 loss to Millard West — something that Papillion-La Vista coach Jeff Govier said had a big impact on Friday night’s victory.

“We were embarrassed,” he said. “But to come back and play a game like this shows what kind of character these guys have.”

The visiting Monarchs marching 67 yards in 11 plays on their opening drive. Weander completed 5 of 7 passes on the march, which ended with a 20-yard scoring pass to Max Plumb.

An interception late in the first quarter by linebacker Hayden Kusy helped lead to Papillion-La Vista’s second touchdown. On the first play of the second quarter, Weander connected with wide receiver Sir Bullock for a 53-yard score.

“Getting the lead on them like that really fired everybody up,” Weander said. “It gave us a lot of confidence.”

After Nick Mizaur scored on a 37-yard run for Prep, Weander and company went back to work. Starting from their 18, the Monarchs moved 82 yards in just five plays and scored on a 61-yard toss from Weander to Bullock.

Trailing 21-6 at halftime, Prep turned to its powerful running game on its first march of the third quarter. The Junior Jays ran the ball 13 times and scored on fourth down when Cody Hobbs crashed over from the 1.

Papillion-La Vista’s only third-quarter possession ended with a missed field goal, and the Junior Jays took advantage. They moved 80 yards in six plays and capped it with a 19-yard scoring run by Mizaur.

The teams exchanged punts and the Monarchs then put together their most important drive. They marched 78 yards in 10 plays and scored on Weander’s fourth touchdown pass, a 14-yarder to Glenn Lewis with 3:09 left.

“We were able to run the ball in that last drive, and that really helped us,” Govier said.

Papillion-La Vista was playing without leading rusher Joey Jones, who was injured in the loss to Millard West. Junior Shane Wright carried most of the load, rushing 18 times for 69 yards.

The Junior Jays quickly moved downfield on their next possession but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Pat Jimerson with 1:59 left when the drive stalled at the Papillion-La Vista 10. Prep then tried an onside kick that was recovered by Papio, but the Monarchs were offside — allowing the Junior Jays to try again.

“At that point, I was getting pretty nervous,” Govier said. “I just hoped we could recover that second one.”

Papillion-La Vista did just that when David Webster fell on the ball. The Monarchs were able to run down most of the clock, but the Junior Jays got one final chance in the closing seconds.

A sack by Plumb on first down used up most of the remaining time, and an interception two plays later by DeVaughn Owsley ended it. The loss denied Prep, which has made the playoffs for 15 straight years, an opportunity to capture its 10th state title.

The Monarchs finished with 388 yards. Prep had 352 with Mizaur, a 5-foot-11 senior, accounted for 179 rushing yards.

“We were pumped to play them,” Weander said. “They’re a great team, so it was easy to get fired up for this one.”

Papillion-La Vista (8-2)...............7 14 0 7—28

Om. Creighton Prep (7-3)........................0 6 6 10—22

PLV: Max Plumb 20 pass from Jeff Weander (Daniel Lozano kick)

PLV: Sir Bullock 53 pass from Weander (Lozano kick)

CP: Nick Mizaur 37 run (kick failed)

PLV: Bullock 61 pass from Weander (Lozano kick)

CP: Cody Hobbs 1 run (pass failed)

CP: Mizaur 19 run (Pat Jimerson kick)

PLV: Glenn Lewis 14 pass from Weander (Lozano kick)

CP: FG Jimerson 27

A: 1,800 (est.)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: PLV, Shane Wright 18-69, Jeff Weander 4-7, Sir Bullock 3-1, Tyler Filkins 1-3, Glenn Lewis 1-9. CP, Nick Mizaur 26-179, Cody Hobbs 9-17, Chase Dudzinski 1-4, Adam Svoboda 3-0, Richard Wynne Jr. 1-7.

Passing: PLV, Weander 24-36-0 299. CP, Svoboda 9-19-2 145.

Receiving: PLV, Lewis 9-90, Chase Rasmussen 6-60, Bullock 7-133, DeVaughn Owsley 2-16. CP, Hobbs 3-55, Joe Trouba 2-26, Tyler Johnson 1-36, Mizaur 1-5, Gage Rensch 1-16, Dudzinski 1-7.

Contact the writer:

444-1350, mike.patterson@owh.com