Class A First Round Preview:

First-round matchups:   #16 Papillion - La Vista (4-5) at #1 Omaha Westside (8-1)   Projected Winner: Omaha Westside   <ul><li>The Warriors go into the playoffs as one of the most battle tested of the season having played 6 playoff teams.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac'] has emerged as a true dual-threat QB.</li><li>Westside's defensive depth is going to be huge in these playoffs.</li><li>Barrientos and Prestito duo has been one of the best 1-2 punches this season, watch out for them to possibly have a big game.</li></ul>   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac']    #9 Millard West (6-3) at #8 Lincoln Southwest (7-2)   Projected Winner: Millard West   <ul><li>Since starting 1-3, the Wildcats have managed to pull off 5 wins in a row. Two of those wins over playoff teams, including Lincoln Southwest (27-23).</li><li>2024 WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='340477' first='Jackson' last='Williams'] is turning into a star before our eyes. He will be matched up against either [player_tooltip player_id='227075' first='Tairen' last='Rahe'] or [player_tooltip player_id='319190' first='Landon' last='Kelley'], either way it's going to be a dog fight.</li><li>Don't get me wrong, Lincoln Southwest 100% has the talent to win this as well. This should be one of the tighter matchups in the first round.</li></ul>   Player of the Game: WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='340477' first='Jackson' last='Williams']    #12 Millard South (5-4) at #5 Kearney (7-2)   Projected Winner: Millard South   <ul><li>Kearney has a very solid squad, but I think Millard South is a different beast with Kozeal at QB.</li><li>I can't speak highly enough about this Millard South DL; [player_tooltip player_id='217062' first='Lance' last='Rucker'], JR Lecuona, [player_tooltip player_id='245848' first='Adam' last='Pugh'], etc. Solid group!</li><li>Millard South is going to be a very scary team as the playoffs progress. Fully loaded and hungry from last year's disappointing ending.</li><li>Kearney has a lot of playmakers that could strike from anywhere, including on special teams or defense.</li></ul>   Player of the Game: QB Cam Kozeal    #13 Omaha North (6-3) at #4 Grand Island (7-2)   Projected Winner: Omaha North   <ul><li>This is one that could go either way for me. </li><li>The Islander defense was dominant in the regular season meeting between these two. </li><li>What sunk the Vikings the first go around was that they conceded 3 touchdowns in what seemed like a blink of an eye. If they can manage to hold GI at bay, they should be able to clinch it.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='227069' first='Jace' last='Chrisman'], [player_tooltip player_id='250625' first='Justyce' last='Hostetler'], and Colton Marsh are going to be incredibly tough to stop.</li></ul>   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='227549' first='Te'Shaun' last='Porter']    #14 Lincoln East (5-4) at #3 Elkhorn South (9-0)   Projected Winner: Elkhorn South   <ul><li>Elkhorn South is looking like a very scary squad right now.</li><li>The offense is firing on all cylinders. Cole is running hard. Rauner to Swan is lethal. The OL is keeping Carson clean and opening up big holes.</li><li>The defense has also been killing it.</li><li>Elkhorn South defense hasn't faced a receiver like [player_tooltip player_id='180280' first='Malachi' last='Coleman'] or a QB with Jeter Worthley's mobility and athleticism. </li></ul>   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='227026' first='Cole' last='Ballard']    #11 Creighton Prep (6-3) at #6 North Platte (6-3)   Projected Winner: Creighton Prep   <ul><li>This is going to be a very tight matchup. Very hard to predict a winner here because of how well each team has been playing.</li><li>Outside of the undefeated teams, Creighton Prep (5 games) and North Platte have the longest winning streaks going into the playoffs (MW also on 5 game streak).</li><li>I give the slight edge to Creighton Prep because of their passing game. Both teams will rely heavily on their run game, but if either offense has to make plays through the air, I think CP takes it.</li><li>Don't overlook the trip to North Platte having some kind of effect. </li></ul>   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='227009' first='CharMar' last='Brown']    #10 Papillion-La Vista South (6-3) at #7 Bellevue West (6-3)   Projected Winner: Bellevue West   <ul><li>A rematch of last week's game that resulted in a 42-20 Thunderbird victory.</li><li>The Bellevue West playmakers could prove to be too much to handle for the Titan's secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='250689' first='Isaiah' last='McMorris'] and Dae'Vonn both went off for 139 receiving yards each and combined 3 touchdowns.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='225758' first='Devyn' last='Jones'] did have 136 rushing yards against the Bell West defense. Could be huge if the Titans get him going early.</li></ul>   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='169899' first='Daniel' last='Kaelin']    #15 Lincoln Southeast (5-4) at #2 Gretna (9-0)   Projected Winner: Gretna   <ul><li>Gretna has hopes to repeat as state champs and have taken a very tough road to get here, beating 5 playoff teams along the way.</li><li>Zane has been playing lights out football, dominating with his arm and legs.</li><li>Defense has been stingy. 4th quarter performance against Bell West really shaped this team up.</li><li>Lincoln Southeast can turn up the pressure with their talented front seven. </li></ul>   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='217055' first='Zane' last='Flores']   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AdamKruegerTV/status/1576056148704497664?s=20&t=h5YiEISap6znM48bCB3gIw </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>   Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.

First-round matchups: