Game Review | Elkhorn South vs. Lincoln Southeast Standouts
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. Excessive heat pushed what was scheduled to be a Thursday night bout between the host Elkhorn South Storm and Lincoln Southeast Knights to a Friday afternoon game.…
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Excessive heat pushed what was scheduled to be a Thursday night bout between the host Elkhorn South Storm and Lincoln Southeast Knights to a Friday afternoon game. Nonetheless, some extra heat didn’t compare with how fired up everyone on the field and in attendance was to have football back. The game figured to be more competitive, but the Elkhorn South depth at nearly every spot proved too much to handle. Tapping into their backfield depth, the Storm saw their young backs find the endzone early, along with a cool 92-yard touchdown run by QB Carson Rauner Carson Rauner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE . They rolled to a 28-0 lead at halftime and then added a touchdown in the third to make it 35-0. The Knights were able to get into the endzone behind a late Cash Buettenback Cash Buettenback 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State NE touchdown. #3 Elkhorn South will be gearing up for a monster clash with #4 Millard South. Lincoln Southeast will battle cross-town rival Lincoln East, who will also be looking to get their first win of the season.
Player of the Game:
Carson Rauner Carson Rauner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE | 2024 | QB | Elkhorn South | Holy Cross Commit
Although the Storm only needed senior QB Carson Rauner Carson Rauner 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE ‘s services for a half and some change, he still managed to lock up Player of the Game honors with a great performance. The Holy Cross-bound Rauner completed 89% of his passes (8/9) for 102 yards and rushed for a whopping 160 yards. He really opened up the game after breaking free for a 92-yard touchdown run. Carson’s mobility and how he can extend plays with his legs was very impressive to watch. Carson made several great reads and was extremely efficient when he was on the field. Carson’s presence on this offense gives them a massively high ceiling and has the Storm looking like they could be one of the teams playing in Memorial.
Notable Standouts:
Jaydon Sutko Jaydon Sutko 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Elkhorn South | 2026 State NE | 2026 | RB | Elkhorn South | 6’1″ 180 lbs
If sophomore RB Jaydon Sutko Jaydon Sutko 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Elkhorn South | 2026 State NE wasn’t on your radar already, he definitely should be after Friday’s game. Although Jaydon split time in the backfield, he still did a great job maximizing his touches, rushing for 58 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Sutko’s toughness really stood out this game, especially with his ability to fight through tackles and keep his legs pumping for some tough yardage. Very shifty feet— Jaydon’s agility and ability to change direction were impressive to watch. Jaydon is already looking like the next great Elkhorn South back.
Pierre Allen Jr Pierre Allen Jr 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State NE | 2025 | DL | Lincoln Southeast | 6’3″ 210 lbs
One of the most intriguing matchups going into this matchup was seeing junior Pierre Allen Jr Pierre Allen Jr 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State NE . battle with a great Elkhorn South OL. Although it was a tough day for the Knights in general, Pierre still managed to flash with a team-leading eight tackles and a forced fumble recovered by Southeast. Pierre looked very explosive, displaying a quick get-off at the snap while using violent hands and his length to disengage from blocks at the LOS. He’s very rangy and does a great job tracking the ball with the lateral quickness to get to his spot. Keep an eye out for Pierre this season!
Ethan Duda | 2024 | TE/LB | Elkhorn South | Air Force Commit
Air Force commit Ethan Duda made a solid case for Player of the Game. I don’t have a total number for his tackles, but in just the first half, Ethan recorded an interception and fumble recovery. He was a name that was mentioned by the announcer constantly. He displayed excellent range that can cover sideline-to-sideline. Duda is a dominant presence off the edge. At 6’5″ and 220 pounds, Ethan was very physical when blowing up blocks and making tackles. Excellent motor!
Cash Buettenback Cash Buettenback 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State NE | 2025 | LB/RB | Lincoln Southeast | 6’0″ 195 lbs
Junior Cash Buettenback Cash Buettenback 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2025 State NE stepped right into the void left by his older brother Max. Cash scored the Knight’s only touchdown of the night and ended the game with a team-leading 46 yards and 7 tackles on defense. Overall a very physical player who embraces contact on either side of the ball. Defensively, Buettenback gets downhill quickly and does a great job filling in his gaps. He’s a great tackler who implements a mix of consistent technique and power behind his hits. Offensively, Cash is a tough back to bring down, with a powerful lower body and great motor to drive him forward.
Luke Hoskinson Luke Hoskinson 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE | 2024 | WR/DB | Elkhorn South | 5’10” 155 lbs
Another Elkhorn South name that was called out a ton was wide receiver Luke Hoskinson Luke Hoskinson 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Elkhorn South | 2024 State NE . I don’t have totals for Luke, but it seemed like every time Carson threw it, it was Luke on the receiving end of it. Hoskinson did a great job getting open and exploiting the soft spots in the defense. He’s has enough twitch to shake off defenders in his routes or after the catch for a few extra yards. Last season, we saw Jackson Moeller Swan rise and have a big season… Luke could do the same this year as Rauner’s favorite target.
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