Sautter’s 2025 Camp Confidential High School Football Notebook

Camp Confidential 2025 is in the books. I toured a total of 22 full high school football practices — 11 Class A, five Class B, four C1, one C2, one D1 and one D2 — in 15 calendar days to learn more about some of the top teams in Nebraska heading into the 2025 season. 

The idea of Camp Confidential is just that: show up with some prepared notes after talking with coaches and reviewing the team rosters and statistics from the prior season. 

In previous seasons, I talked to myself about the team and what I saw at each practice. This season, we decided to intentionally elevate the practice coverage to coach and player interviews with a mix of editorial video content. 

Here’s a peak into my notebook filled with players to watch and more information on all 22 teams.

 

Gretna East

Week one started with Gretna East on Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 a.m. In my opinion, the Griffins are one of the teams that should contend in a Class B that is more wide open than it has been in years. 

Quarterback is a strength; junior Chase Grow returns after passing for 1,830 yards and 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

The 2024 Griffins rushed for over 2,000 yards as a team, led by now senior Connor Sams. The Air Force commit rushed for a team-leading 932 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. 

The receiving corps is another strength, returning the team’s top two pass catchers in seniors Seth Kraegel and Carson Herrmann. Junior Karver Fritchen moved from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, to Gretna in the offseason and will provide another downfield threat. 

The defensive line is another strength of the team. The Griffins return just about every player that saw significant minutes from the 2024 team. 

Up front on the offensive line, two players who will be three-year starters are back in Jonathan Rodriguez and Caden Boyer. Liam Norton is one of the strongest players on the team at 5-foot-11, 260 pounds. He can squat 600 pounds and hang clean 365 pounds. 

The linebacker group is led by Cade Thompson, who was second on the team in 2024 with 87 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks. Sophomore Lucas Haverty is going to be counted on to step up at the linebacker position. 

The defensive back room lost just about all of the significant production from 2024. There is some depth and options in the defensive backfield in 2025. Some names in that group will be seniors Caden Annis, Quinn Bera are good athletes to go with MJ Maryott, Brody Boone, Jace Larchick and Abe Crosby. 

Omaha North

The Vikings have one of the best players in the state in two-way star Darion Jones. The Iowa commit had more than a breakout season last year with a team-leading 43 receptions, 773 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. Jones will play defensive back for the Hawkeyes; his eight interceptions led the Vikings in 2024. 

Max Clark led the team with eight sacks and 142 total tackles including 31 tackles for loss. Clark is committed to South Dakota and will see some time on offense playing tight end, but think more of a stand-up slot tight end. The linebacking corps is a strength for the Vikings. Three of the four starters return as Clark’s running mate, B.J. Louis, will look to improve his 52 total tackles and seven tackles for loss, including three sacks. 

Jaron Cannon enters his senior season at running back and a 2,000-yard season is the goal for Cannon in 2025 after 1,447 yards and 19 touchdowns in a bit of a banged-up junior year for him. Cannon looks stronger and fully healthy. Michael Valencia transferred from Papillion-La Vista after totaling 368 rushing yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. 

The Vikings return just one starter from the offensive line; that group will have to grow quickly as game one is against Omaha Westside.

Although he only played five games, Tyson Terry’s impact on the team was significant in 2024. The defensive line group will need a big season from Marquis McIntyre-Dailey, who had 22 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2024. 

Mikey Gow had a strong season in his one year playing quarterback at North. Replacing his 2,090 yards and 20 passing touchdowns will be Prep transfer Elijah Cannon. Cannon has poise and what seems to be a strong early understanding of the offense. The Vikings were the NebPreps 7v7 champions in June with Cannon slinging the rock. 

Omaha Central

The Eagles were the third and final stop on the first official day of practice. The Eagles are flying high into 2025. The team features a pair of power conference commits at safety in junior Tory Pittman III (Nebraska) nd Bellevue West senior transfer Kaprice Keith (Iowa State). 

Quarterback B.J. Newsome is now a senior and a leader of the team after passing for 1,878 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. You have to account for Newsome’s mobility as well. His ability to avoid the pass rush while stepping up in the pocket is clearly a strength. If a play breaks down, he can take off and run. 

Junior Kylonn Haynie returns at running back after a 1,011-yard season in 2024. Haynie suffered an injury in the winter while wrestling, but he looks as though he has gained some strength. Nebraska was the first to offer Haynie as a freshman. He reminds me of a former Eagles and Husker back Calvin Jones with his powerful frame. 

Kelvaun Gordon picked up an offer from Grambling in the offseason and will be a key two-way player up front, along with Southwest Minnesota State commit Jerry Jackson Jr. 

Braylon Owens transferred to Central from Norfolk before last season, but injuries hampered his ability to show significant production on the field in 2024. Owens could give the Eagles another big target for Newsome at the wide receiver position.

Bennington

Aug. 12 started with the Badgers.

Bennington lost some stars, but when you build a program like the Badgers have, it’s next man up.  

Running back is clearly at the top of the list of strengths for the Badgers in 2025. Last season, Will Gutz rushed for a team-leading 1,308 yards and 11 touchdowns. He returns for his junior season looking to improve on those numbers. 

A good running back needs a good offensive line and Bennington has that with three returning starters up front, led by Brett Langan. 

Despite losing five of the team’s top six pass catchers according to yardage, that group looks to be a strength and has a little more speed than in 2024. Two of the top targets appear to be Jake Russell and Braydan Kloster.  

A few position groups that lost a lot of production are linebacker, defensive line and quarterback. 

Obviously, you need to start at linebacker after the graduation of Kyler Lauridsen and his 107 total tackles. Cole Miller is the one returning starter who will lead the group. Look for Carson Cebreros to make an impact at the linebacker position. 

The defensive line is a clear unknown as it’s almost an entirely new group, as far as experience. Jack Jansen was a terror up front and a leader the past few seasons. A few of the new names that will look to make an impact in 2025 are Brody Lichty, Ty Thomsen, Saul Hames, Harrison Henke, and DeMarcus Perkins. 

Houston Hill graduated and so did his 1,700-plus yards passing. It is now Ty Bouaphakeo’s turn, and he’s a name that has been in the mix at the position since he was a freshman. Not only his arm but his running ability will certainly be a factor this season. 

 

Omaha Westside 

The Warriors lost a lot but returned a lot of production in 2025; that is what good programs do. 

Braylen Warren is back for another season under center. Warren has grown not only physically but has stepped into more of a leadership role after passing for 2,105 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2024. 

Tay Tay Jenkins had an electric sophomore season, rushing for 1,993 yards and 22 touchdowns. Jenkins is a multifaceted back; he can catch the ball out of the backfield and can be an electric kick returner. 

The receiving corps should be another strength for the Warriors in 2025 despite losing leading receiver Keynan Cotton to graduation. With Cotton now at Fresno State, look for seniors Eli Johnson, Fresno State commit Mo Purify II and Iowa State commit Bryson Williams and junior Andrew Tagge to make the Warriors’ offensive attack as balanced as you could see in Class A. 

Senior Owen James will anchor the lines up front. The Northwest Missouri State commit will have some help on the offensive line. Sophomore offensive lineman Justin Parish Jr. is a player who could have a big impact in the future for the Warriors. Senior Hudson Mead had four sacks from the defensive line in 2024 and will look to add to that number this season. 

Safety Reid McIntyre was the team’s leader with 102 total tackles and 78 solo tackles in 2024. McIntyre is a bit unheralded outside of the Warrior program but should have a monster senior season patrolling the middle of the defense. Williams will also step into a much bigger role opposite McIntyre at the other safety spot. 

Four-star linebacker Christian Jones is now at Nebraska, but the linebacking corps shouldn’t fall off in 2025. Northwest Missouri State commit Quinton Warren led the team with four interceptions and had six tackles for loss. Warren and Millard West transfer Spencer Stutheit are as good a linebacking duo as you will find in the state. 

Ashland-Greenwood 

Day three, Aug. 13, started in Ashland.

Ashland-Greenwood is a perennial power in Class C1. The Bluejays return a significant amount of production from a state quarterfinal team in 2024. 

Derek Tonjes returns for his senior season to lead the team at quarterback after a 2,125-yard season with 27 passing touchdowns in 2024. 

Tonjes has plenty of weapons to throw to this season. Three of the top four pass catchers return for their senior seasons in 2025. Cal Kissinger, Landon Mohs and Logan Fangmeyer are three playmakers who will fill that void left by Thomas Spears’ graduation. 

Senior Cael Smith powered the Bluejays’ rushing attack last season with 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Smith will bring that balanced attack to what should be a high-powered offense. 

The Kitrell last name is synonymous with Ashland-Greenwood football. Junior Barrett could be the next high-level prospect in the family. He will anchor both the offensive and defensive line. A move to left tackle after starting at right tackle in 2024 will provide that blindside protection for Tonjes in the passing game. A few more names joining Kitrell up front will be Joseph Greise, Jack Johnson and Andrew Beranek. 

Archangels Catholic

An early afternoon practice on Aug.13 was with the Defenders, who are once again one of the top teams in Class D2 after a semifinal appearance in 2024. 

The two leading rushers are now juniors; running back Gavin Geilenkirchen led the team with 1,365 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. His running mate, quarterback Ethan Wieseler, led the team with 23 rushing touchdowns and 693 yards on the ground to go with his 898 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. 

After a junior season that saw the Defenders’ leading receiver, Tucker Czarnick, catch 23 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns, he’ll look to build on that in his final season 

Chase Freudenburg will look to improve on his five tackles for loss as an edge in 2024. 

Norfolk Catholic 

Aug. 13 ended with a late afternoon in Norfolk.

Riding a 39-game winning streak, the Knights should be at the top of the heap in Class C2 once again in 2025. 

Callen Marshall returns for his senior season at quarterback. Two seniors, Nathan Timmerman (running back) and Gage Yosten (fullback), will lead the offense behind a big offensive line with Northwestern commit Leighton Burbach at left tackle and Cael Puntney at left guard. 

Will Brockhaus will lead a group of receivers that will be more by committee with James Lanman, senior Ty Geiger and sophomore Brayden Kosch contributing. 

Columbus Lakeview

Early morning, just north of Columbus, started Aug. 14.

A quarterfinal team in 2024, the Vikings return depth, specifically on the offensive line. 

Junior Luke Wellman is not just one of the best interior linemen in C1 but one of the best in the state. He leads a group that returns Carter Schmidt, Parker Osten and Grayson Vogt, who were starters last season on the offensive line. 

Rylin Viergutz saw significant snaps at quarterback last season, playing behind senior Clayton Thompson. Viergutz is a dual-threat quarterback for the Vikings who should stress opposing defenses. He has the team’s leading receiver, Blake Rathbone (31 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns) back as his primary target. 

The running back position is in good hands with Brandon Deanda returning for his senior season. Last season, his junior year, Deanda rushed for 1,010 yards and eight touchdowns while in a bit of a timeshare. Look for Deanda to improve on those totals this season as the true lead back. 

The Vikings should be stout on the defensive side of the ball. Five of the six leading tacklers return and from all three levels of the defense. 

Wellman will lead the group up front while Osten, the team’s leading tackler in 2024 with 93 leads the second level, and in the back end safety Jett Borer returns after 58 tackles and three interceptions in 2024. 

Elkhorn South  

The heat forced an afternoon walkthrough on Aug. 14.

The Storm lost their starting quarterback and a 1,000-yard running back. The expectations of title contention have not changed. 

Jaydon Sutko is fully healthy after playing in only six games due to injury last season, and he is the unquestioned leader on both sides of the ball. 

Sutko will likely see the bulk of the carries at running back and play linebacker in 2025. Bo Gillman is another name that will be a key factor for the linebacker room in 2025. 

Depth on the lines is always strong at Elkhorn South, and 2025 is no different. Cooper Perrien and Tristan Brewer are multi-year starters and will once again be key cogs. Alex Greufe started every game at right tackle in 2024 and he returns for his senior season. 

 

Waverly

There is something special about sunrises at the stadium in Waverly on Friday morning, Aug. 15th. There was an overcast cloud cover for the first hour.

Of the key positions, the Vikings lost just one to graduation. However, they filled that quarterback void with transfer Brockston Teply. A junior, Teply has the size of a big-time quarterback prospect at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and two years of starting experience at Lincoln Southwest.

A trimmed-down Nathan Axmann returns to lead the running back room. Axmann rushed for 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns last season as a junior. 

The depth of the receiving corps and the offensive line are two more strengths of the team. The Vikings’ six leading receivers are back as well as four of the five offensive linemen who started a game last season. They feel comfortable about playing up to 10 linemen on both sides of the ball if needed. 

Middle linebacker Gavin Ruskamp is the leader of the defense and two of the four corners return from strong seasons, led by junior Gavin McMillan, who is a long, athletic corner with plenty of upside. 

Bellevue West

The Thunderbirds were forced inside on Aug. 15 due to the heat and humidity.

The T-Birds have a leader at quarterback in Will Anderson. Anderson is now in year three at Bellevue West and in his second leading the high-powered offense. The Northern Iowa commit’s command of the playbook and position are clearly evident heading into his senior season. 

Protecting Anderson will be a priority, and this is the best offensive line Bellevue West has had in years. The front is led by senior two-way starter Gage Brown. Sophomore Micah Santiago will rotate on the offensive line but will primarily play on the defensive line. Josiah Reed, Sam Beiser, Raul Mejia are a few more names to watch on the offensive line.

The offensive skill positions have a year in the system after some growing pains in 2024. Senior Jermaine Green is a leader of the receiving corps. The Northern Illinois commit led the team with 716 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. Junior Bryce Johnson Jr. showed flashes as a sophomore and has the quickness to be a solid option opposite Green. 

Tristian Gerez-James had a strong sophomore season in the backfield with 120 carries, 849 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gerez-James can play some quarterback as a change of pace, like he did in 2024 when Anderson was banged up. Another back that has breakaway speed is junior Dylan Miller. 

The linebacking unit should be a strength of the defense, led by Vincent Garza and Tarell Fields. 

Millard North

My only stop on Saturday, Aug. 16, was with the Mustangs.

They lost some key pieces from 2024 with seven of their top eight tacklers graduating along with their top rusher on offense. 

They added two major pieces in the offseason. Quarterback Cam Leggett transferred from Papillion-La Vista as did offensive tackle Matt Erickson from Millard West to help fill that talent void. 

Both Leggett and Erickson look as though they are starters at their respective positions. 

Leggett was in a bit of a position battle with the Mustangs’ 2024 starter, Zion Rush. Rush will move to tight end or be gadget playmaker in the offense. They will likely use him in packages at quarterback. 

Araf Evans Jr. was the team’s second leading tackler and is now in his senior season. A vocal and hard-hitting safety, Evans looks as though he will have a big final high school season. 

Skutt Catholic 

Week two started with a night practice on Monday, Aug. 18 at Skutt.

The SkyHawks won a state title in 2024 with a record-breaking quarterback (Dylan Van Dyke) and wide receiver (Joe Kolega). 

Those two big weapons on offense weren’t the only pieces the SkyHawks lost to graduation. Despite the loss of production, the expectations remain the same at Skutt. 

Brenden Ruth and fullback Louie Nelson should see the bulk of the carries in 2025 after the top four rushers from 2024 graduated. 

Conor Mogensen will replace Van Dyke at quarterback and he will use his legs a little more than Van Dyke did. Mogensen has the pieces to help on offense, primarily at receiver, with Nate Christensen and Leo Bailey as shifty targets. Lucas Heller and Wyatt Liebentritt are two more athletic receiving threats. 

Liebentritt, a junior, holds an offer from Penn State, making him the first SkyHawk to receive a scholarship offer from a power conference school in program history. Liebentritt will be an impactful two-way player at receiver and safety. 

Ruth and Liebentritt at safety is as good a tandem as you will find patrolling the back end of a defense in Class B. 

From a physical standpoint, the lines look the best the SkyHawks have had in some time. Braxton Miller and Jack Robinette return, and Beckham Werner is another name on the defensive line that will also play tight end when the SkyHawks have the ball. Miller was third on the team in total tackles with 44 in 2024. 

Luke Lenz is another two-way guy who will play outside linebacker and tight end. 

Papillon-La Vista South

A last-second pivot in the afternoon on Aug. 19 due to the weather took me inside to see the Titans.

Grant Beckenhauer is the Titans’ leader on defense at safety. He could also be the best option at quarterback in 2025. It would be pretty rare for a Class A team with state playoff dreams to play its quarterback on both sides of the ball. 

Beckenhauer and junior Colin Raybourn are locked in a competitive quarterback battle. Both could be good options to replace Chase Cunningham, who graduated in the spring. 

There isn’t much of a competition at running back as Derek Jones returns after a junior season that saw him run for 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

The team’s leading receiver in 2024, Elon Washington, returns for his senior season after recording 622 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. 

The lines look bigger and stronger than they did in 2024, led by Jack Deloske, Kaleb Bailey, Landon Bailey, Gage Burki and Cruz Sanders. 

The secret weapon on the team might just be their long snapper. Senior Samuel Dolphens is a power conference prospect and could be a game-changer in key situations. 

Wahoo 

An 8 p.m. start on Aug. 19 took me to Wahoo to see the 2024 C1 champs.

Another championship in 2025 is not out of the question for the Warriors.

Kip Brigham had the breakout of all breakout seasons as a junior, rushing for 2,033 yards and 36 touchdowns. His 12.3 yards per rush was topped by his 23.8 yards per catch as the team’s leading receiver with 20 total receptions and 476 yards. 

Brigham didn’t do it alone. Quarterback Jase Kaminiski threw for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions in 2024. Kaminski is back for his senior season and it seems as though his leadership has taken a jump in the offseason. 

Brigham is obviously the primary choice on offense, but Grady Meyer is a solid back and should see his fair share of carries. 

The Warriors have plenty of options for Kaminski in the passing game alongside Brigham in Kaden Christen, Eli Shada, Landon Fye and Josh Fox.

The defense should be strong again in 2025, but if there is one area that got overlooked last season, it was the play of the three senior linebackers. Braylon Iversen was the vocal leader of the defense and led the team with 100 total tackles, Caden Smart was third on the team in total tackles with 77 and Jaymes Gaskins had 63 tackles. 

Harrison Krueger returns at linebacker and will need to take on the vocal leader role in the middle after 99 tackles (nine TFL) in 2024. Another in that group that will be counted on to make a jump is Meyer. 

Another area where they will need to fill the production void is on the offensive and defensive lines. Jake Scanlon and Eli Emerson were multi-year starters and highly productive. Shada returns at defensive end and he should improve on his 58 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Carter Brabec is a big 6-foot-7, 300-pound space eater on the defensive side and looks as though he will be the left tackle on offense. A few other names that will be counted on are Jack Krueger, Hugo Portugal, Matteo Ramirez, Cash Parson and Reid Koehler. 

Much like the offensive weapons, the third level of the defense is a strength. \Christen and Logan Kelly return after four interceptions apiece in 2024. Fye and Calvin Babst are two more names in the defensive backfield. Brigham returns at safety and Kaminiski could play a little free safety at times as well. 

 

Elkhorn North 

Another pivot to a later time on Aug, 20 took me to see what many think is one of the favorites in Class B.

The Wolves return not just the best linebacking corps in Class B, but the best in any class. 

Iowa State commit Barry Fries led the team with 122 total tackles in 2024, followed by Nebraska commit Jase Reynolds’ 91. Now-junior Ian Christo added 90. All three return for 2025 for a team that has its eyes set on a Class B state title. 

The leader of the offense, quarterback Ethan Beachy, returns for his senior season after passing for 2,069 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior. His running ability at the position is also a weapon. 

Beachy will have plenty of options to complete passes to. Alex Uchtman, who led the team with 1,008 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024, is committed to South Dakota State. Add Reynolds, Hunter Rosenbaum, Zach Wolfe and Drew Meyer and you have an athletic group of pass catchers. 

Two areas that lost significant production are running back and the offensive and defensive lines. 

Jett Tinglehoff graduated after totaling 1,121 yards last season. Junior Grant Sutko looks like he will lead the group of unproven backs on the varsity level. 

From a size perspective, the Wolves have had plenty in the past on the lines. The 2025 group might not be the biggest, but they are athletic. Ben Hanson, Austin Pratt, Garrett Ringenberg and Christian Schlott are a few names that will have big roles, along with Wolfe returning at defensive end. 

Creighton Prep

The sun rose on the new addition to the Prep campus on Aug. 21, a good way to start the day.

Prep lost multi-year starters at their two key positions in quarterback Tony Coniglio and running back Jacob Ruby. 

Insert Jack Lammers at quarterback and Angelo Walker at running back. Lammers has a good command of the offense and is a more than serviceable leader at the position. Walker was used as a backup running back and a receiving option in 2024. He takes over the lead back role after 55 carries and 238 yards last season. Getting Walker in space will be a priority for the Prep offense. 

Colin Corrigan and Shelden Golliday are two seniors who will be counted on as receiving options after playing in eight of the Jr. Jays’ 10 games last year. 

The back end of the defense looks like the strength of the team as far as returning production and athleticism. Preston Woodward was the team leader in 2024 with 87 total tackles. Corner Vincent Sall is a captain and has the length you look for in a long corner. Silas Bush is another name in the secondary. 

The lines are a year older and that youth movement up front two years ago should help in 2025. Jake Brock will be a two-way player and likely the best lineman on the team. Ty Ravnsborg will be a three-year starter at left tackle. Elisee Ahianti at defensive tackle and Ayron Shaw at defensive end are two players looking to have big seasons in 2025. 

Millard South 

I spent an afternoon with the 2024 Class A champs on Aug. 21.

The outside expectation for the Patriots in 2025 is not just to win a state championship, but to do it in dominant fashion. 

Never before has the state seen nine Group of Five or higher (Power Four) commits on one high school team. 

Quarterback Jett Thomalla is the Patriots’ clear leader. When the Alabama commit speaks, his teammates stop what they are doing and listen. It’s not statistically impossible, but it’s hard to have a better season than Thomalla did as a junior with 3,664 yards, 47 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 69% of his passes. 

The running back room improved even with the return of leading rusher Gabe Prucha (886 yards). Illinois commit Nelsyn Wheeler made the move from Grand Island to Millard South in the offseason and added a home run hitter threat to the room. 

Amarion Jackson returns for his senior season after playing both ways in 2024. The Iowa State commit will once again be a primary target for Thomalla. Missouri commit Issac Jensen and Fresno State commit Dallas Gaius-Anyaegbu are big-bodied targets as well. 

The offensive line is anchored by Carter Glab. The Army commit enters his senior season as a multi-year starter. Illinois commit Landen Von Seggern is back after starting at left tackle in 2024. 

Maybe it was just the defensive focus of the practice, but the Patriots’ defense dominated the day. 

A fully healthy Teagan Urban at linebacker to go with Dax Williams is as good a runner-hitter punch as you will find in Class A. 

The defensive line added some depth with senior MJ Wash moving back to Omaha. He will likely be a key factor with Fresno State commit Solomon Baker and Easton Villotta. 

The third level of the defense is no slouch with North Dakota commit Toris Rudd, Eli Mitchell and Army commit Dayton Gaius-Anyaegbu. DaShawn Prince will also make his return at some point in the season. His timeline after a torn ACL was originally expected to be late October or early November for a return, but he seems to be ahead of schedule. 

Sandy Creek

I hit the road to see the Cougars’ scrimmage on Aug. 22, with a 4 p.m. start.

Was the 2024 State Championship the result of a special senior class, or is the program a consistent power in Class D1? 

I think it is the latter. Despite losing three all-state players in Ethan Shaw, Conor Rempe and Hunter Devlin, the Cougars are expected to be back in Lincoln playing for a state championship in November. 

Kam Sealey will take over for Ethan Shaw at quarterback, and although he isn’t as big and strong, particularly in the running game, he does have a good arm and is a strong runner. 

The key cog will be Kaeden Schmidt, the senior who played in just two games last season due to injury and should have a big year, particularly at running back. 

Wes Biltoft is another returner and a threat in the passing game. He will look to improve on his 118 total tackles and four interceptions from last year. 

When your best lineman returns and is only a junior, that is a good thing. Christian Shaw had 29 pancake blocks as a sophomore and is poised to have an even bigger junior year as a two-way player. Jonas Amos, Josh Spray and Sam Watts are three names that saw time up front in 2024.

 

Central City 

The times worked out to see the Bison play their 6:30 p.m. scrimmage on Aug. 22.

A high-powered offense with athletes who can run is exactly what you get with a Troy Huebert-led team. 

The skill positions didn’t lose much, if anything, from 2024. 

At quarterback, Parker Zikmund is back, looking to improve on his 2,718 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. 

After getting knocked out of last season’s state championship game with a knee injury, Corbin Kyes is back and will be ready for game one. Can he eclipse the 2,007 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns from the previous season?

Wyatt Dent, the team’s leading receiver in 2024 with 1,097 yards and 13 touchdowns, returns for his senior season, as does Turner Hanke (712 yards, 14 touchdowns). 

The defense was led by Jacob Brazee at free safety with 86 total tackles and linebacker Connor Erickson at linebacker with 81 tackles including 11 for loss. Hanke and Erickson are a hard-hitting duo in the second level of the defense. 

The one question marks are the lines. Damien Malachias returns after a six-sack season in 2024. 

Lincoln Southeast

Saturday morning, Aug. 23, took me to see the Knights, one of Lincoln’s best.

Cash Buettenback had a monster season at running back (1,109 yards, 11 touchdowns) and linebacker (96 tackles) in 2024. Replacing him and starting quarterback Tre Bollen will not be easy, but the Knights have good options. 

Gavin Semm returns to Lincoln Southeast after spending his sophomore year at Grand Island and will be the starter at quarterback. 

Caden Logan is back and healthy at the running back position, but the Knights have a couple of nice backs alongside him in Beckham Rice and Carter Watson. 

Semm will have a few bigger targets to throw to in Nate Appleget and Caden Ward to go with Mason Mehta as the Knights’ top threats in the passing game. 

Despite losing Buettenback at linebacker, that position group looks the best. Appleget, a North Dakota commit, had 73 total tackles in 2024. Ward will be opposite him at the other outside linebacker position with Trey O’Hara in the middle as a bit of a throwback, neck roll-type linebacker. 

Safety Brooks Gordon is smart and can cover ground quickly on the third level. 

Maddox Brock is a strong kicker they can count on in big situations. 

Millard West

The final practice of the 22 was a game-week practice with the Wildcats on Aug. 25.

A new era is in store for Millard West football. Long-time Millard North assistant Dave McEnaney takes the reins as the Wildcats’ head coach. 

Running back David Washington should see the bulk of the carries and Colton Williams will be a two-way player at defensive back and wide receiver after playing primarily on defense in 2024. 

Maybe the Wildcats’ best overall player is defensive lineman Ethan Amenyah.

Kicker, Carter Chapp has a huge leg and made a 55-yard field goal last season.