NE State Semi-Finals Preview
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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. Class A Games: #4 Grand Island (9-2) at #1 Omaha…
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Continue Reading4 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.
Class A Games:
#4 Grand Island (9-2) at #1 Omaha Westside (10-1)
Projected winner: Omaha Westside
Player of the Game: QB Anthony Rezac Anthony Rezac 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE
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, Justyce Hostetler Justyce Hostetler 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2024 State NE , Cole Thorne Cole Thorne 6'1" | 200 lbs | TE Grand Island | 2023 State NE , Caleb Richardson Caleb Richardson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Grand Island | 2024 State NE … this is a very talented squad.
– Omaha Westside QB Anthony Rezac Anthony Rezac 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE 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 Caleb Benning Caleb Benning 5'11" | ATH Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE 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 Isaiah Weber Isaiah Weber 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Gretna | 2024 State NE
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 Braeden Stull Braeden Stull 6'2" | 170 lbs | QB Scottsbluff | 2023 State NE
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 Jake Garcia Jake Garcia 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Gross Catholic | 2023 State NE .
– 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 Sebastien Boyle Sebastien Boyle 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE ‘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 Nick Colvert Nick Colvert 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Bennington | 2023 State NE
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 Carlos Collazo Carlos Collazo 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Aurora | 2023 State NE
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 Parker Borer Parker Borer 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Boone Central | 2024 State NE 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 Abram Scholting Abram Scholting 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Pierce | 2023 State NE
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. Abram Scholting Abram Scholting 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Pierce | 2023 State NE 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. Hyatt Collins Hyatt Collins 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Adams Central | 2023 State NE and Nick Conant Nick Conant RB Adams Central | 2024 State NE 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 Trent Uhlir Trent Uhlir 6'1" | 230 lbs | ATH Battle Creek | 2024 State NE
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 Karter Kerkman Karter Kerkman 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Norfolk Catholic | 2023 State NE
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 Jack Roberts Jack Roberts 6'3" | 180 lbs | LB Boone Central | 2023 State NE
– 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 Barrett Wilke Barrett Wilke 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Stanton | 2025 State NE
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 Barrett Wilke Barrett Wilke 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Stanton | 2025 State NE , 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 Zandar Wolf Zandar Wolf 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Central Valley | 2023 State NE 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 Lance Vasa Lance Vasa 5'10" | 135 lbs | ATH Arthur County | 2023 NE
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. Lance Vasa Lance Vasa 5'10" | 135 lbs | ATH Arthur County | 2023 NE ‘s 1,574 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns has fueled a potent run game.
– Pawnee City is not to be overlooked. Andy Maloley Andy Maloley 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Pawnee City | 2023 State NE has been churning out big games all season and recently Jett Farwell has started to come into his own with some big games.
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