Three games that caught our eye in Week One
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Week One of the Nebraska High School Football season is just days away. There are a lot of players who are pumped to show off their talent and get a feel for the season. One new factor this season is…
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Continue ReadingWeek One of the Nebraska High School Football season is just days away. There are a lot of players who are pumped to show off their talent and get a feel for the season. One new factor this season is the return of Omaha Public Schools into play bringing back their massive programs and talent that did not get to play last year. The first week is always an important one for the coaches and players to learn how their team reacts and changes to adversity. One of the best parts of football will be very present this week in some major rivalries being played. With all these factors I think these three games will be the best to watch in Week One.
Pierce V.S. Saint Paul
Last year was a great year for both Pierce and Saint Paul. Pierce went undefeated and won the state championship in Class C-1. Pierce had 1,898 yards passing and 3,189 yards rushing. The Bluejays had 5,491 yards in total Peirce’s defense was amazing having totaled 28 tackles. Saint Paul went 10-2 their only losses to Pierce, they will definitely want revenge for losing last year. Saint Paul had 1,205 yards passing and 3,912 yards rushing totaling around 5,117 yards. This game will set in stone who will the leaders be in Class C-1.
Offensive Standout – QB Abram Scholting, 5’11″ 170 lbs. Abram had a stellar season in 2020, he completed 87 out of 150 passes totaling 1,721 yards passing along with 324 yards rushing. His talents will definitely lead the Bluejays to another great season.
Defensive Standout – MLB Colton Fritz, 6’0″ 180 lbs. Fritz is a defensive all-star he had 44 solo tackles last year. That is nothing compared to his assisted tackles, Fritz had a total of 110 assisted tackles. He also only had 2 sacks with 10 yards for loss. His skills will help the Pierce BlueJays try their best to go back to the state championship this year.
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Lincoln Southeast V.S. Omaha North
Due to COVID-19, Omaha North did not play during the 2020 season. However, they have always been a consistent top program in Nebraska High School Football. This pause in play means some of their players haven’t experienced a real varsity football game as a player and that they haven’t played since late 2019. In the Viking’s last season they had a very tough schedule going 4-6. With the season break and some new talent, they will have something to prove. Lincoln Southeast has some talent and only lost one game last year in the playoffs. They had 1,225 passing yards and 1,644 rushing yards. The Knight’s defense was on fire with 19 interceptions and 677 total tackles.
As @OPS_VikingsFB football began to ascend in the early 2010s it was riding the coattails of the incomparable @Captain_Strong5. More on our all-decade team for the 2010s at https://t.co/nxJLJ57blT. #nebpreps @OPS_NorthHigh pic.twitter.com/g8FzmQ2KYN
— Bob Jensen (@HuskerlandBob) January 14, 2020
Offensive Standout
ATH – Keshaun Williams Keshaun Williams 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Omaha North | 2022 State NE 6’1″ 180 lbs, 34th best player in Nebraska. Keshaun is a weapon on both sides of the field. He is fast and explosive. His speed is a key factor in his play-making abilities. During his sophomore season, he had 23 catches for 380 yards. His addition will add to Omaha North’s history of great players.
Defensive Standout
OLB – Jake Appleget Jake Appleget 6'4" | 210 lbs | LB Lincoln Southeast | 2022 State NE 6’4″ 210 lbs, Jake is the 6th ranked recruit in Nebraska. The University of Nebraska commit is the best on defense in a team of defensive stars. He had 67 total tackles last year, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions. Appleget’s skills will help make an elite defense even better and could carry The Knights even farther.
Millard North V.S. Millard South
The Millard North and Millard South rivalry is renewed for a Thursday game this year. Millard South was dominant last year with only two losses going 8-2. They had 1,262 yards passing and 2,579 yards rushing in 2020. The Patriot’s defense pulled in 8 interceptions along with 27 sacks. Millard North had a large rushing attack with 2,568 yards rushing last season. Their defense also brought in 25 sacks and 6 interceptions. Even though last year the Patriots blew out the Mustangs, I think this year will be more competitive with two of Millard North’s sack leaders heading into their junior year. Millard South will be a powerhouse having 6 top-ranked players in Nebraska.
Great picture vs Prep this season. pic.twitter.com/dYCxAOgOHn
— Millard South Football (@MSouthFootball) January 4, 2020
Offensive Standouts
ATH – Gage Stenger Gage Stenger 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2022 State NE 6’2″ 190 lbs, ranked 6th overall in Nebraska and committed to Kansas State. Gage is a jack of all trades, last year he went 29 out of 44 passes for 417 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. He rushed 18 carries for 161 yards and 1 touchdown. He even has 21 receptions for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. He can and will do anything for his team and is a weapon that will be hard to defend against.
Defensive Standout
OLB – Jake Gassaway Jake Gassaway 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Millard South | 2022 State NE 6’2″ 195 lbs, ranked 11th in Nebraska committed to Northern Illinois. Gassaway is a reliable linebacker and is like a heat-sinking missile right to the ball. He has 4 tackles for losses and 2 sacks. He has 49 total tackles 25 assists and 24 solo tackles. He will definitely be looking to up those numbers this year especially with their tough schedule. Gassaway is fast and if he can get his hand on the ball and take a pass out of the air there will always be a chance for him to take it all the way back to the endzone.