Class A Preseason Poll Winners
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. Nearly 25k votes were cast among the five polls, and now we are here to share the results! Below are the winners of the Class A State…
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Nearly 25k votes were cast among the five polls, and now we are here to share the results!
Below are the winners of the Class A State champion, Player of the Year, Offensive & 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.
Class A State Champion
Winner: Millard South – 489 votes
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 Jett Thomalla Jett Thomalla 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Millard South | 2026 State NE , RB Nolan Feller Nolan Feller 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Millard South | 2024 State NE , WR Amarion Jackson Amarion Jackson 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Millard South | 2026 State NE , OL Max Gray Max Gray 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Millard South | 2024 State NE , OL Maddox Georgius Maddox Georgius 6'4" | 250 lbs | OL Millard South | 2024 State NE , OL Kendrick Mason Kendrick Mason 5'11" | 275 lbs | OL Millard South | 2025 State NE , the entire defensive line (JR, Aidan Miller Aidan Miller 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL MIllard South | 2024 State NE , Adam Pugh Adam Pugh 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Millard South | 2025 State NE , Harper Rutan Harper Rutan 6'1" | 225 lbs | DL MIllard South | 2025 State NE ), LB/ATH Dominic Duggan Dominic Duggan 6'4" | 215 lbs | TE Millard South | 2024 State NE , 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.
2nd Place: Bellevue West – 222 votes
3rd Place: South Sioux City – 194 votes
Preseason Player of the Year
Winner: JR Lecuona – DL – Millard South – 3,224 votes
South Dakota State commit
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.
2nd Place: Jeter Worthley Jeter Worthley 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2025 State NE – QB – Lincoln East – 1,377 votes
3rd Place: Zander Reuling Zander Reuling 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Kearney | 2024 State NE – ATH – Kearney – 280 votes
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Winner: Jeter Worthley Jeter Worthley 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2025 State NE – QB – Lincoln East – 1,618 votes
Lincoln East QB Jeter Worthley Jeter Worthley 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lincoln East | 2025 State NE 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.
2nd Place: Nolan Feller Nolan Feller 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Millard South | 2024 State NE – RB – Millard South – Minnesota State-Moorhead – 1,162 votes
Minnesota State-Moorhead Commit
3rd Place: Zander Reuling Zander Reuling 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Kearney | 2024 State NE – WR/ATH – Kearney – 170 votes
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Elijah Malesa Elijah Malesa 6'1" | 290 lbs | DL Millard West | 2025 NE – DL – Millard West – 4,706 votes
Junior defensive tackle Elijah Malesa Elijah Malesa 6'1" | 290 lbs | DL Millard West | 2025 NE 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.
2nd Place: JR Lecuona – DL – Millard South – 3,224 votes
South Dakota State Commit*
3rd Place: Justyce Hostetler Justyce Hostetler 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Grand Island | 2024 State NE – LB – Grand Island – 608 votes
Preseason OL of the Year
Winner: Jesus Estrada Jesus Estrada 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Omaha Burke | 2024 State NE – Omaha Burke – 2,484 votes
New threads for offensive tackle Jesus Estrada Jesus Estrada 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Omaha Burke | 2024 State NE , 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.
2nd Place: Jayden Potter Jayden Potter 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Lincoln North Star | 2024 State NE – Lincoln North Star – 1,163 votes
3rd Place: Max Gray Max Gray 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Millard South | 2024 State NE – Millard South – 304 votes
Northwest Missouri State Commit*
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