Class A Preseason Poll Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nearly 25k votes were cast among the five polls, and now we are here to share the results!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the winners of the Class A State champion, Player of the Year, Offensive &amp; Defensive Players of the Year, and Offensive Lineman of the Year Preseason polls. We will check back in at the season's end to determine how close you were to predicting the winners. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class A State Champion</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Winner:</strong> Millard South - 489 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Millard South faithful showed out on this poll as they doubled the amount of votes second place received. There is a lot to like about this team that has such a great blend of experienced vets and hungry youngsters. The Patriots ended the 2022 season with a 6-5 record and made the playoffs despite a 1-3 start. Replacing players like Brock Murtaugh, Gavin Nunnally, Cam Kozeal, etc is going to be tough, but there is more than enough talent to step up. Some players to watch from this group are QB [player_tooltip player_id='476963' first='Jett' last='Thomalla'], RB [player_tooltip player_id='250254' first='Nolan' last='Feller'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='487568' first='Amarion' last='Jackson'], OL [player_tooltip player_id='561424' first='Max' last='Gray'], OL [player_tooltip player_id='675844' first='Maddox' last='Georgius'], OL [player_tooltip player_id='545267' first='Kendrick' last='Mason'], the entire defensive line (JR, [player_tooltip player_id='835792' first='Aidan' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='245848' first='Adam' last='Pugh'], [player_tooltip player_id='319450' first='Harper' last='Rutan']), LB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='516313' first='Dominic' last='Duggan'], and several more. Playing 5 playoff teams, including the two teams in the state championship game, will make it a tough road, but this team has been clicking all summer, and if that continues, they could definitely make a run at Memorial. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":959974,"width":666,"height":444,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/IMG_1393.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-959974" style="width:666px;height:444px" width="666" height="444" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2nd Place:</strong> Bellevue West - 222 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>3rd Place:</strong> South Sioux City - 194 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Player of the Year</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Winner:</strong> JR Lecuona - DL - Millard South - 3,224 votes </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14813369/JR-Lecuona" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JrLecuona" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>South Dakota State commit</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who said Player of the Year awards were only for QBs? Millard South JR Lecuona is a player that is ready to have a monster season. Lecuona has been hard at work this offseason, and after his commitment to South Dakota State, he's been able to put the blinders on and focus on the 2023 season. Lecuona ended his junior year with 77 tackles, 11 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He has a great motor from start to finish and is an absolute terror in the trenches. He'll be a big part of what should be one of the fiercest defensive lines in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":694522,"width":335,"height":429,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/IMG_1142-e1692639343167.jpg?w=799" alt="" class="wp-image-694522" style="width:335px;height:429px" width="335" height="429" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2024 Millard South DL - JR Lecuona</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2nd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='545269' first='Jeter' last='Worthley'] - QB - Lincoln East - 1,377 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16079111/Jeter-Worthley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/WorthleyJeter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>3rd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='169901' first='Zander' last='Reuling'] - ATH - Kearney - 280 votes </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14342442/Zander-Reuling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Zanderreuling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Offensive Player of the Year</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Winner:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='545269' first='Jeter' last='Worthley'] - QB - Lincoln East - 1,618 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln East QB [player_tooltip player_id='545269' first='Jeter' last='Worthley'] was handed the keys to the Spartan offense to start his sophomore season and never looked back. For being a young QB, he showed a lot of poise and took great command of the offense. Worthley ended his sophomore year with a solid 1,704 passing yards and 14 touchdowns on 61% completion with a QBR of 103.1. He makes good decisions with the ball and displays great ball placement on his throws. He's very athletic and can make plays happen with his legs as well, adding 343 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. With his talents, an OL with more experience, and dual-threat ability, I can definitely see Jeter elevate to another level in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":846778,"width":519,"height":346,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/IMG_1030.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-846778" style="width:519px;height:346px" width="519" height="346" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 Lincoln East QB - [player_tooltip player_id='545269' first='Jeter' last='Worthley']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2nd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='250254' first='Nolan' last='Feller'] - RB - Millard South - Minnesota State-Moorhead - 1,162 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14833060/Nolan-Feller" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/nolanfeller22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Minnesota State-Moorhead Commit</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>3rd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='169901' first='Zander' last='Reuling'] - WR/ATH - Kearney - 170 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Defensive Player of the Year</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Winner:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='736113' first='Elijah' last='Malesa'] - DL - Millard West - 4,706 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16690434/Elijah-Malesa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/elijah_malesa40" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='736113' first='Elijah' last='Malesa'] is a player the Wildcats are excited to have back in 2023. He had a great sophomore season that went somewhat under-the-radar. Elijah is an interesting defensive tackle who can attack at the line of scrimmage using his brute strength or with deceptive twitch and quickness. Malesa uses his hands very well to swat away the blocker's hands and has the upper and lower body strength to drive his opponent off their spot. He's also very quick and displayed a great get-off at the snap. He's been hard at work this offseason and is someone that could start seeing offers roll in sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":959408,"width":313,"height":417,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/F1UrYCqWYAA3JHc.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-959408" style="width:313px;height:417px" width="313" height="417" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='736113' first='Elijah' last='Malesa'], <a href="https://twitter.com/elijah_malesa40" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='736113' first='Elijah' last='Malesa'] Twitter</a></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2nd Place:</strong> JR Lecuona - DL - Millard South - 3,224 votes </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>South Dakota State Commit*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>3rd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='250625' first='Justyce' last='Hostetler'] - LB - Grand Island - 608 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14538949/Justyce-Hostetler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/justycehos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason OL of the Year</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Winner:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='250694' first='Jesus' last='Estrada'] - Omaha Burke - 2,484 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14765234/Jesus-Estrada" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JesusEs64559514" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New threads for offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='250694' first='Jesus' last='Estrada'], who is coming over to Burke from Omaha South, could lead to a big year. Jesus had a great junior year where he established himself as a physical mauler that can open up huge lanes in the run game. I had the chance to watch Jesus at the locker room camp earlier this summer and noticed a more confident and dominant player. His footwork has improved and he looks quicker in pass protection and when moving up to the second level. He's a strong player that can hold his own against anyone and is a brutal finisher once he's overwhelmed his opponent. The Burke Bulldogs will rely heavily on Jesus to keep their QB upright and the run game moving as they look to get back in the playoff race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":959390,"width":395,"height":348,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/IMG_8734-e1692639505601.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-959390" style="width:395px;height:348px" width="395" height="348" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='250694' first='Jesus' last='Estrada'] - 2024 Omaha Burke OL</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2nd Place:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='250273' first='Jayden' last='Potter'] - Lincoln North Star - 1,163 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18230635/Jayden-Potter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JaydenPotter10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>3rd Place:</em></strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id='561424' first='Max' last='Gray'] - Millard South - 304 votes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15000262/Max-Gray" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/GrayMax76">Twitter</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Northwest Missouri State Commit*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->