Grayson Nolan is one of the breakout stars in Nebraska high school football this season, and he’s leading the No. 1 team in Class C1 in Ashland-Greenwood.
The junior stepped into the starting role for the 5-0 Bluejays, after they graduated several seniors, including starting running back Cael Smith, last year. Nolan said he worked with and learned from the back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher to prepare to take over this year.
“Moving up into that role, I expected it coming into the season, so it really wasn’t too big of a transition,” Nolan told NebPreps.
That’s proved true. After toting the rock 67 times for 548 yards and seven touchdowns last season, he’s carried the load this year. Through five games, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder has rushed for 1,305 yards and 16 touchdowns on 118 carries. After feature one of the most prolific passing attacks in the state last season, the Bluejays have leaned more heavily on the run this year, and Nolan credits his offensive line for his success.
“Their scheme, they just run it so well,” Nolan said. “They communicate at a really high level, and they all know what they’re doing. They just play really fast and they play really hard, because they want to win.”
One of those linemen that’s been helping Nolan and the Bluejays win is senior left tackle Barrett Kitrell, a Nebraska commit.
“He does an amazing job and he pretty much eliminates an entire player from the defense,” Nolan said. “It just makes it that much easier for me, and it makes it a lot easier for the other linemen because he just takes over.”
Nolan has taken over as well. He’s leading the state in rushing by more than 300 yards and has topped the 300-yard mark in a game twice already. Ashland-Greenwood head coach Ryan Thompson and his staff are helping Nolan with ball security and foot work, while maintaining a steady offense. Nolan said the coaches’ support means a lot.
Grayson Nolan (31) celebrates with teammate Sam Mundt (2) after a carry against Syracuse on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Ashland. Photo by Eli Larson.
“Those guys, they come out to practice, they put together all the film, and they just work really hard with us,” Nolan said. “They’re all about the kids, so it makes it really easy for us to go out and execute everything.”
Another unit that’s played well is the defense. Nolan said their performance has helped the offense and the rest of the team win.
“It just makes it that much easier on our offense to move the ball when we don’t have to worry about scoring every single time we have the ball, when they just hold the other team from scoring every single time,” Nolan said.
The junior wants to keep scoring touchdowns, however. He’s began catching scouts’ attention and has recently visited South Dakota State. He’s received game-day invitations to South Dakota State and Iowa State, with plans of visiting Ames in November. He said he wants to improve his cutting skills as the season continues.
“Sometimes I get up field and I get tackled when I know I could have easily made a cut back and been a little more shifty,” Nolan said. “I think I could add a little more shift to my game than just running straight and fast.”
Nolan will have his next opportunity on Friday, when Ashland-Greenwood visits Douglas County West. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.
The Falcons are 1-4, and the Bluejays plan against them is simple.
“We’re going to do what we do best, and we’re going to run the ball,” Nolan said.
As for the rest of the season, Nolan and the Bluejays have one goal in mind: to bring home their first-ever state title for their head coach.
“Coach Thompson has been coaching for so long,” Nolan said. “He’s done such a great job. He’s earned it, and we’re doing to go get it done.”
View this post on Instagram
