Nemaha Central Looks To Finish Its Story

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Nemaha Central Thunder finished as the state runner-up in Class 2A last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a solid senior class and nine returning starters on each side of the ball, the Thunder will be looking to take the next step and win it all in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunder finished 11-2 last season and, with one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the state, are poised for another winning season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is my final team preview before the season begins on September 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed them, here are links to all of the other team previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-holton-seniors-hunting-big-game/">Holton Widcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/thunderbirds-have-an-explosive-offensive-trio/">Shawnee Heights Thunderbirds</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-hayden-has-state-title-game-aspirations/">Hayden Wildcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/program-preview-2025-bobcats-ready-to-pounce/">Basehor-Linwood Bobcats</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-seaman-out-to-defend-league-title/">Seaman Vikings</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-rock-creek-seniors-look-to-extend-winning-ways/">Rock Creek Mustangs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/team-preview-red-raider-nation-ready-to-roll/">Wamego Red Raiders</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunder will open their season against the Marysville Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'],</strong> ATH, 6'0”, 215</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you don't recognize this name, then you aren't paying enough attention to Kansas prep football. Hajek posted video game numbers last season while running the Thunder offense. He rushed for 2,382 yards and threw for another 1,143. He found the end zone 40 times last fall on the ground and threw for 13 touchdowns. Hajek is ranked No. 24 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585162' first='Jack' last='Macke'],</strong> LB/TE, 6'4”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Macke is one of the top returning tacklers on the Thunder defense. The senior linebacker is coming off a season in which he finished with 88 tackles, 13 tackles for lost yardage, and three interceptions. Macke is ranked No. 146 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229114' first='Caleb' last='Strathman'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 155</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strathman is the top returning receiver for Nemaha Central. He caught five touchdowns last season and finished with 41 receptions and 510 yards receiving. The two-way starter also led the team with four interceptions as a junior. He registered 90 tackles from his safety position. He is ranked No. 199 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585169' first='Kamden' last='Schmitz'],</strong> ATH, 6'3”, 185</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmitz is ranked No. 356 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is an unheralded workhorse who can find all kinds of ways to chip in on team victories. He caught nine balls for 153 yards a season ago. He also recorded 78 tackles and three TFLs during his junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other returning seniors for Holton include <strong>Daniel Childress</strong> (DL), <strong>Logan Deters</strong> (OL), <strong>Layton Thomas</strong> (WR), <strong>Jordan Lewis</strong> (WR), <strong>Eli Sudbeck</strong> (OL), and <strong>Hendryx Wahl</strong> (DL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->