Paul Kucera chosen for Eight Man Football Hall of Fame
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June 17, 2021
As an offensive and defensive lineman, Paul Kucera was a dominating force at the line of scrimmage for the powerful Lawrence teams of the early 1980s. He helped lead his team to the state finals three times in his career, including runner-up finishes in his sophomore and junior seasons. His proudest moment as a player then came in 1982, when he helped the Panthers to an undefeated season and the Class D-2 State Championship. He finished his career with more than 300 tackles and 50 tackles for loss on defense while also paving the way for a backfield that averaged more than 10 yards per carry on offense. Those Panther teams cemented a foundation of hard-nosed football that would see Lawrence go on to win two more state titles in the 80s and contend for and win several championships in future decades.
In his prep career, Paul was chosen 1st Team All-Conference two times, 1st Team All-State in 1982, and was selected to play in the 1983 Eight-Man All Star Game. After high school, he was a three time letter-winner and a two year defensive starter for Kearney State College (where he was named All-Conference in both 1986 and 1987). The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020-2021.
Three coaches, and 11 players have been named to the 2020-21 Eight-Man Football Hall of Fame. Paul and the others will be inducted during ceremonies to be held Saturday, at The Tom Osborne Family Sports Complex in Hastings.
The hall of fame is presented by the Nebraska Eight-Man Football Coaches Association. Induction ceremonies will be held at halftime of the 44th annual Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Game played at Hastings College. Kickoff for the game will be 6 p.m.
Members of the Class of 2021 include:Players-Lance Lundberg (Wausa), Gene Busboom (Adams), Josh Cobb (Wallace), Paul Kucera (Lawrence), Cory Anderson (Sandhills), Carl Ostrand (Ansley), Larry Frost (Malcolm), Wade Edis (Mullen), Chris Darnell (Falls City Sacred Heart); Family Legacy-Scott and Andrew Shanle (St. Edward); Coaches-Kevin Mahlberg (Elwood), Jim Cole (Hayes Center), and Andy Vrbka (High Plains).
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, growth, and success of Nebraska Eight-Man Football
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