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HASTINGS, NE — The Adams Central football team is getting ready to head into familiar territory.

The Patriots are in the Class C-1 semifinals for the third time in the last four years. Senior running back Hyatt Collins credits the program’s culture for its consistent success.

“We kind of expect to be here. We expect to win every time," Collins said. "As a freshman, you see the guys having success on the field and you want to be able to play in a semifinal game like this.”

Head Coach Shawn Mulligan says his players buy in to the team culture.

“Our kids work very hard from their freshman year all the way through their senior year," Mulligan said. "The senior group that we have this year, there’s only 10 of them, but they did everything that they could the entire summer and during the season.”

Mulligan says Collins has bought in since his freshman year, which has led the hard-nosed running back to score 61 touchdowns, the most in school history.

“He is a high character kid, a lot of energy, has had a lot of success," Mulligan said. "He would be the first one to tell you that his success comes from the program that we have here and then the offensive linemen that are in front of us.”

“It couldn’t have been done without my teammates, line blocking for me," Collins said. "We’ve had a lot of great players come through here in the history of Adams Central football, so breaking that was just a really special accomplishment.”

The touchdown record was held by Gabe Conant, the person who showed Collins the Patriot way.

“He was a senior when I was a freshman," Collins said. "I honestly probably wouldn’t be the kind of player I am right now if it wasn’t for Gabe. He taught me a lot, and that’s kind of that culture thing, he kind of took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.”

The familiar territory extends to Friday’s opponent. The Pierce Bluejays ended the Patriots’ season in 2019 and 2020.

“It’s going to take a complete four quarter game in all three aspects of the game, so defense, special teams and offense. We’re going to have to play almost a perfect game. I think we have a lot of confidence and I think we’re ready to go. It’s going to be a fun one,” Collins said.

Get the win and Adams Central gets to go to unfamiliar territory. The Patriots have never played for a state title at Memorial Stadium.