COLUMBUS - Lakeview Head Coach Kurt Frenzen still has nightmares from the last time the Vikings played in a semifinal.

In 2013, Lakeview had Ashland-Greenwood on the ropes with a one-point lead and less than a minute to play.

On fourth-and-fifteen a prayer was thrown up, and in the Bluejay's case answered, as then sophomore, and current Husker defensive lineman Ben Stille came down with the catch.

"They threw a pass to the inside of him and he made a tremendous play on it and picked up the first down," Lakeview Head Coach Kurt Frenzen recalls. "They basically came right back the next play and ran the same exact play for a touchdown and took the lead."

Despite that, the Vikings had one last chance, but the raucous Ashland crowd caused communication issues for Lakeview on the final play of the game.

"It was very loud, and at that point in time we were going off wristbands. We got the play in but the kids heard it wrong because of the noise," Frenzen explains. "We ran the play at the end of the game that was one we didn't want to run. I actually walked off the field that night saying we'll never use wrist bands again and we haven't since."

Lakeview captain Adam Van Cleave, was a third grader and water boy for that 2013 team. The senior remembers walking off the field in tears that night, alongside his defeated heroes.

"That was the first big, heart-breaking loss I've ever had as a kid," Van Cleave said. "I always watch Nebraska games, but it's not the same as when your high school team losses in the semifinals.

Van Cleave is one of many current Viking players that has a connection to that 2013 team either as a water boy, younger sibling, or fan. On Friday night those players now have a chance to accomplish a feat their role models were unable to.

"The history that these kids have runs really deep, and they've been a part of this program for such a long time, and were a part of that loss that night," Frenzen said. "To hear them talk about it still to this day as juniors and seniors is pretty amazing. "

A victory on Friday would mark a trip to the state championship for just the second time in Lakeview's history, the first being in 1990 when the Vikings fell short against Mt. Michael.

"It's been really exciting, but also terrifying at the same time," Van Cleave added. "I remember last night I didn't get a lot of sleep, just thinking about the game, running through everything in my head. Our coach always says you can never let the moment be too big for yourself. You always have to give your heart out and give all of your effort every game and let the chips fall."

The game between Lakeview and Kearney Catholic will be televised on News Channel Nebraska with kickoff set for 5:45 PM CT.