Class A First Round Preview:
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First-round matchups: #16 Papillion – La Vista (4-5) at #1 Omaha Westside (8-1) Projected Winner: Omaha Westside The Warriors go into the playoffs as one of the most battle tested of the season having played 6 playoff teams. Anthony Rezac…
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Continue ReadingFirst-round matchups:
#16 Papillion – La Vista (4-5) at #1 Omaha Westside (8-1)
Projected Winner: Omaha Westside
- The Warriors go into the playoffs as one of the most battle tested of the season having played 6 playoff teams.
- Anthony Rezac Anthony Rezac 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE has emerged as a true dual-threat QB.
- Westside’s defensive depth is going to be huge in these playoffs.
- 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.
Player of the Game: QB Anthony Rezac Anthony Rezac 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE
#9 Millard West (6-3) at #8 Lincoln Southwest (7-2)
Projected Winner: Millard West
- 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).
- 2024 WR/ATH Jackson Williams Jackson Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Millard West | 2024 State NE is turning into a star before our eyes. He will be matched up against either Tairen Rahe Tairen Rahe 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2023 State NE or Landon Kelley Landon Kelley 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Lincoln Southwest | 2025 State NE , either way it’s going to be a dog fight.
- 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.
Player of the Game: WR/ATH Jackson Williams Jackson Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Millard West | 2024 State NE
#12 Millard South (5-4) at #5 Kearney (7-2)
Projected Winner: Millard South
- Kearney has a very solid squad, but I think Millard South is a different beast with Kozeal at QB.
- I can’t speak highly enough about this Millard South DL; Lance Rucker Lance Rucker 6'3" | 205 lbs | ATH Millard South | 2023 State NE , JR Lecuona, Adam Pugh Adam Pugh 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Millard South | 2025 State NE , etc. Solid group!
- Millard South is going to be a very scary team as the playoffs progress. Fully loaded and hungry from last year’s disappointing ending.
- Kearney has a lot of playmakers that could strike from anywhere, including on special teams or defense.
Player of the Game: QB Cam Kozeal
#13 Omaha North (6-3) at #4 Grand Island (7-2)
Projected Winner: Omaha North
- This is one that could go either way for me.
- The Islander defense was dominant in the regular season meeting between these two.
- 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.
- Jace Chrisman Jace Chrisman 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2023 State NE , Justyce Hostetler Justyce Hostetler 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2024 State NE , and Colton Marsh are going to be incredibly tough to stop.
Player of the Game: RB Te’Shaun Porter Te’Shaun Porter 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Omaha North | 2023 State NE
#14 Lincoln East (5-4) at #3 Elkhorn South (9-0)
Projected Winner: Elkhorn South
- Elkhorn South is looking like a very scary squad right now.
- 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.
- The defense has also been killing it.
- Elkhorn South defense hasn’t faced a receiver like Malachi Coleman Malachi Coleman 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Lincoln East | 2023 State NE or a QB with Jeter Worthley’s mobility and athleticism.
Player of the Game: RB Cole Ballard Cole Ballard 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Elkhorn South | 2023 State NE
#11 Creighton Prep (6-3) at #6 North Platte (6-3)
Projected Winner: Creighton Prep
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Don’t overlook the trip to North Platte having some kind of effect.
Player of the Game: RB CharMar Brown CharMar Brown 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Creighton Prep | 2023 State NE
#10 Papillion-La Vista South (6-3) at #7 Bellevue West (6-3)
Projected Winner: Bellevue West
- A rematch of last week’s game that resulted in a 42-20 Thunderbird victory.
- The Bellevue West playmakers could prove to be too much to handle for the Titan’s secondary. Isaiah McMorris Isaiah McMorris 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Bellevue West | 2024 State NE and Dae’Vonn both went off for 139 receiving yards each and combined 3 touchdowns.
- Devyn Jones Devyn Jones 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Papillion La Vista South | 2023 State NE did have 136 rushing yards against the Bell West defense. Could be huge if the Titans get him going early.
Player of the Game: QB Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE
#15 Lincoln Southeast (5-4) at #2 Gretna (9-0)
Projected Winner: Gretna
- 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.
- Zane has been playing lights out football, dominating with his arm and legs.
- Defense has been stingy. 4th quarter performance against Bell West really shaped this team up.
- Lincoln Southeast can turn up the pressure with their talented front seven.
Player of the Game: QB Zane Flores Zane Flores 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Gretna | 2023 State NE
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