Curt Johnson inducted into the Eight-Man Football Hall of Fame

Two coaches and ten players have been named to the 2024 NEMFCA Eight-Man Football Hall of Fame. They will be inducted during ceremonies to be held on Saturday, June 15, at The Tom Osborne Family Sports Complex in Hastings.

The hall of fame is presented by the Nebraska Eight-Man Football Coaches Association and sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.  The induction ceremony will be held at halftime of the 47th annual Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Game played at Hastings College. Kickoff for the game will be 6 p.m.

The Class of 2024 includes: Players-Steven Bazata,Howells; Chris Carpenter, Falls City Sacred Heart; Josh Frerichs, Lodgepole; Brian Hahn, Hampton; Brandon Johnson. Rushville; Jerry Leiss,Indianola; Matt McGinn, Anselmo-Merna; Travis Mlady, Bloomfield; Larry Tomlinson. O'Neill St. Mary's; and Jeff Veerhusen. Adams. 

Coaches are Jon Dahl, Mead, and Curt Johnson, Lawrence. 

Curt Johnson coached the Lawrence High School Panthers from 1980 to 1985. His Panthers teams played for five state titles over the span of six seasons. During that run, Lawrence dominated their opposition with 68 wins to just five losses, while also compiling three state titles and two runner-up finishes.

Coach Johnson's program will go down in history as the Nebraska 8-Man Football Dynasty of the early 1980s.

1980: State Runner-Up (10-2) 

1981: State Runner-Up (11-1) 

1982: State Champions (12-0) 

1983: State Champions (13-0) 

1984: State Quarterfinals (9-2)

1985: State Champions (13-0)

*30 consecutive wins from 1982 to 1984* 

During his short tenure in Law- rence, Coach Johnson sent ten of his athletes to play in Eight Man All-Star Games. He was also honored as an assistant (1982) and head coach  (1984) for the East All-Stars.  

He cites working in Lawrence with great athletes and young men, as well as his assistant coach Mark Reinhart-as his proudest moments in coaching.   Along with his football accomplishments, Johnson also led Lawrence to a state basketball title in 1983. 

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is

to celebrate the history, growth, and success of Nebraska Eight-Man Football.

The physical Eight-Man Football "Wall of Fame" is located in the lobby of the Lynn Farrell Arena on the Hastings College campus.  You can also visit our virtual hall of fame at: www.nebraskaeightmanfootball.com .