NE State Semi-Finals Preview

4 quarters seperate these teams with the bright lights of State Championship week at Memorial Stadium. Check out our breakdown of each semi-final matchup from Class A to Class D6.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>   Class A Games:   #4 Grand Island (9-2) at #1 Omaha Westside (10-1)   Projected winner: Omaha Westside   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac']   Notes   - Grand Island has been one of the hottest Class A teams in recent weeks.   - People underestimate the athleticism on this Grand Island team. Colton Marsh, [player_tooltip player_id='250625' first='Justyce' last='Hostetler'], [player_tooltip player_id='238867' first='Cole' last='Thorne'], [player_tooltip player_id='250293' first='Caleb' last='Richardson']... this is a very talented squad.   - Omaha Westside QB [player_tooltip player_id='250051' first='Anthony' last='Rezac'] continues his dual-threat tear after lifting the Warriors to victory against Lincoln Southwest last week.   - Westside is getting a big-time player back in [player_tooltip player_id='250053' first='Caleb' last='Benning'] who is a force playing in the secondary.   #11 Creighton Prep (8-3) at #2 Gretna (11-0)   Projected winner: Gretna   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='340488' first='Isaiah' last='Weber']   Notes   - Creighton Prep continues their unexpected run into the semi-finals after a dominant defensive performance against Elkhorn South.   - It'll be interesting to see how winds and weather will effect the Gretna offense. I watched them beat Omaha North in the middle of a storm last year, so probably not a whole lot, but can't count anything out.   - This game was very close the first time around and I think it'll be the same this time. I give Gretna the edge because of their balanced attack on offense.   Class B Games:   #3 Scottsbluff (10-1) at #2 Gross Catholic (11-0)   Projected winner: Scottsbluff   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='227066' first='Braeden' last='Stull']   Notes:   - This has potential for game of the week between two Class B heavyweights. This is a 50/50 matchup for me that will come down to which team imposes their will the most.   - Gross Catholic has steamrolled their way to the semi-final round behind a monster offensive line and RB [player_tooltip player_id='227094' first='Jake' last='Garcia'].   - From what I've seen, most people have given the Cougars the green light to the state championship, however I don't think it's exactly a gimme. Scottsbluff RB [player_tooltip player_id='245849' first='Sebastien' last='Boyle']'s availability is a key factor into this.   - Scottsbluff is a tough, resilient team that can win big or win close games. They are also very versatile on defense which could create problems for Gross Catholic.   - It may be two cat themed mascots, but this will be a DOG FIGHT! I'm excited for this one.   #5 Waverly (9-2) at #1 Bennington (11-0)   Projected winner: Bennington   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='227551' first='Nick' last='Colvert']   Notes:   - A rematch of last year's semi-final matchup that resulted in a Bennington shut out win.   - This Waverly team is very different and has been playing at a high level all season.   - The Bennington trio of Bird-Colver-Conner has been excellent this season, playing well-balanced, complimentary football on offense.   - I don't think Waverly will go down easy and should give Bennington a tough fight, but I think Bennington's experience should prevail.   Class C1 Games:   #5 Boone Central (9-2) at #1 Aurora (11-0)   Projected winner: Aurora   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='217059' first='Carlos' last='Collazo']   Notes   - Boone Central is coming off of a huge win over #4 Ashland-Greenwood. They beat the Bluejays 41-15.   - The Cardinals flexed their offensive firepower last week with QB Alex Christo and RB [player_tooltip player_id='250336' first='Parker' last='Borer'] each scoring multiple touchdowns. They also showed they have some real juice on the defensive side of the ball.   - Aurora has been unstoppable all season long being able to out-physical their opponent.   - Aurora beat Boone Central 34-13 in week 3 of the regular season. Do they close out the deal and move on to the championship? Or does Boone Central get back at Aurora and end their title hopes?   #6 Adams Central (9-2) at #2 Pierce (11-0)   Projected winner: Pierce   Player of the Game: QB [player_tooltip player_id='217056' first='Abram' last='Scholting']   Notes:   - This is a sneaky good matchup beating two very solid teams.   - Pierce features one of the best QB-WR/TE combinations in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='217056' first='Abram' last='Scholting'] and Ben Brahmer just seem to turn it up a notch when playing in the post-season.   - The Bluejays also have some DAWGS on the defense, especially in their front seven.   - Adams Central running back duo has also become a force of their own. [player_tooltip player_id='227021' first='Hyatt' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='250400' first='Nick' last='Conant'] had the Patriots rolling before dropping two games.   - Adams Central is coming off an upset win over McCook, who beat Adams Central a few weeks prior. This team is starting to gel at a good time.   Class C2 Games:   #12 Cedar Catholic (8-3) at #9 Battle Creek (9-2)   Projected winner: Battle Creek   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='250337' first='Trent' last='Uhlir']   Notes:   - Great rematch between two teams that are on fire! This is the game with the lowest combined seeding.   - Battle Creek won the first game 20-12 behind a tremendous defensive effort.   - Cedar Catholic's defense has hit another level in the playoffs. Holding 8-1 Mitchell to 14 points and an explosive Malcolm offense to only 9 points in an overtime win last week.   #3 Norfolk Catholic (11-0) at #2 Ord (10-1)   Projected winner: Norfolk Catholic   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='239974' first='Karter' last='Kerkman']   Notes:   - A week 2 rematch that resulted in a 35-14 Norfolk Catholic win.   - This Ord team is a lot different from them. They have suffered key injuries, but the players that stepped up have stepped up BIG TIME.   - Norfolk Catholic looks like the most complete team in Class C2 and has run through their schedule with relative ease.   - It's tough to beat great teams twice in a season so the early season loss could be a motivating factor for the Chanticleers. I'll still take Norfolk Catholic due to their experience but Ord could make things veryyy interesting tonight.   Class D1 Games:   #5 Neligh-Oakdale at #1 North Platte St. Patrick's (11-0)   Projected winner: North Platte St. Patrick's   Player of the Game: ATH [player_tooltip player_id='239789' first='Jack' last='Roberts']   - This game is a lot tougher to pick than expected.   - NPSP has been the odds-on favorite to win Class D1 since the start of the season and with good reason.   - They have one of the most dynamic offenses in the class and their defense is very stingy as well.   - Neligh-Oakdale has been playing with a lot of heart and have grinded out tough games against Heartland and Riverside.   - NO QB Aiden Kuester is also a yardage and scoring machine! He became the All-time national leader in career yardage for 8-man football.   #7 Clarkson/Leigh (10-1) at #3 Stanton (11-0)   Projected winner: Stanton   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='414786' first='Barrett' last='Wilke']   Notes:   - Clarkson/Leigh answered back nicely from a close 22-14 round 2 win, with a solid 46-18 victory over upset-minded Weeping Water.   - Stanton has a very tough run game behind workhorse duo Becker Pohlmand and [player_tooltip player_id='414786' first='Barrett' last='Wilke'], who have both scored 20 or more rushing touchdowns.   - Clarkson/Leigh's #7 ranking may make this look like a big mismatch, but CL was a top 10 team all season long.   Class D2 Games:   #13 Central Valley (10-1) at #1 Howells-Dodge (11-0)   Projected winner: Howells-Dodge   Player of the Game: RB Lance Brester   Notes:   - Howells Dodge is the favorite going in, but this Central Valley team has answered every challenge this post-season.   - Central Valley RB [player_tooltip player_id='398972' first='Zandar' last='Wolf'] is a player to keep an eye on for this one. He has been excellent for the Cougars this year.   - I'll give the edge to Howells-Dodge because of the strength of their defense and their depth.   #6 Bloomfield (10-1) at #2 Hitchcock County (11-0)   Projected winner: Hitchcock County   Player of the Game: QB Keynan Gaston   Notes:   - Hitchcock County's defense will get one of, if not the, toughest matchup of the year. They have only given up 52 points all season long.   - Bloomfield is very explosive on offense and will need to get up on the Falcons early and often.   - Hitchcock County should punch their ticket to Memorial for a Class D2 mega-match.   Class D6 Games:   #5 Parkview Christian (9-1) at #1 Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (10-0)   Projected winner: SEM   Player of the Game: Noah Eggleston   Notes:   - SEM beat Parkview Christian in week three, 20-16.   - That was SEM's closest game to date, and Parkview Christian has been surging since that loss, reeling off 8 straight wins.   - This will be another very tough matchup. SEM's explosive offense and suffocating defense.   #6 Pawnee City (8-2) at #2 Arthur County (10-0)   Projected winner: Arthur County   Player of the Game: RB [player_tooltip player_id='396711' first='Lance' last='Vasa']   Notes:   - Arthur County is an offensive machine that has basically scored at will.   - The Storer Bros connection has worked very well for Arthur County, with Talan (2025 - QB) and Dakota (2023 - WR) connecting for 669 yards and 16 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='396711' first='Lance' last='Vasa']'s 1,574 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns has fueled a potent run game.   - Pawnee City is not to be overlooked. [player_tooltip player_id='396717' first='Andy' last='Maloley'] has been churning out big games all season and recently Jett Farwell has started to come into his own with some big games.   <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.

4 quarters seperate these teams with the bright lights of State Championship week at Memorial Stadium. Check out our breakdown of each semi-final matchup from Class A to Class D6.