PRZNE 2025 Game Report | Omaha Westside vs Omaha North (Week 1)

<!-- 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>I kicked off my coverage of the 2025 season by checking out Thursday night's matchup between #2 Omaha Westside and #3 Omaha North. It was a highly anticipated matchup featuring two teams with a wealth of Division 1 talent across the board. Here is my recap of the game, along with a look at some notable players who stood out.</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">Game Recap:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the 2025 season than with a heavyweight bout between two Class A championship contenders in #2 Omaha Westside and #3 Omaha North. The game started like most would expect the first few drives to go in the first game of the season. Both teams worked to knock off some of the offseason rust as they dealt with some flags and miscues. Westside was able to get the ball rolling with a field goal from [player_tooltip player_id='1556219' first='Everest' last='Scherlizin'] to go up 3-0. Omaha North responded with a rushing touchdown by [player_tooltip player_id='796581' first='Elijah' last='Cannon'] to go up 6-3. A [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] rushing touchdown and another Scherlizin field goal gave Westside a 13-6 lead before Jaron Cannon's 54-yard homerun ball evened the score at 13-13. From there, it was all Westside as Jenkins would score three more rushing touchdowns, and 4-star QB [player_tooltip player_id='487734' first='Braylen' last='Warren'] found Northwest Missouri Commit [player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] and Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='402141' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] for touchdowns. Omaha North also struggled with costly turnovers on special teams, which gave the Warriors a short field to work with and ultimately led to scoring on both drives. In the end, Westside stood victorious with an impressive 58-27 top 3 win to open the season. Westside appears poised to make another run at a state championship and will only get better. No need to hit the panic button on Omaha North, either, as they have the talent and senior leadership to clean things up and get the ship back on course.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notable Players:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Player of the Game:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] (2027), RB - Omaha Westside - 5'9" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/TayTayjenkins_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@TayTayjenkins_)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How do you follow up a near 2,000-yard rushing season a year ago? By kicking off the season with 252 rushing yards and four touchdowns against a Top 3 opponent. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] put it all on display in the season opener with a well-rounded performance mixing physical runs with explosive bursts. Despite being a smaller back, he has a stronger, more compact frame with outstanding balance and strength in his base that help keep him upright as he fights through tackles. He has elite vision that allows him to quickly find open lanes with the twitch/agility to change direction and immediately hit those gaps. He has excellent breakaway speed that makes him a threat to hit the home run ball on any given carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Standouts:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='487804' first='Jaron' last='Cannon Jr'] (2026), RB - Omaha North - 5'10' 175 lbs - Northwest Missouri commit - <a href="https://x.com/JaronCannonJr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@JaronCannonJr)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest Missouri State commit [player_tooltip player_id='487804' first='Jaron' last='Cannon Jr'] has been one of the more consistent running backs in his class since stepping onto the scene as a sophomore, and he looks just as sharp in year 4. Jaron stepped up big for the Vikings as they struggled to find consistency on offense, carrying the ball 16 times for 119 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Jaron is a leaner back who does a great job finding a lane and can explode through the hole with a great burst. Once he sees the open field, Cannon has the speed to break away from defenses, as shown by his 54-yard touchdown right through the middle of the Westside defense. He is strong at the point of contact, maintaining his balance to stay on his feet as he absorbs hits and does a good job falling forward at the end of his runs. The Bearcats will enjoy having Jaron in their backfield once he finishes his prep career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1614951' first='Spencer' last='Stutheit'] (2026), LB - Omaha Westside - 6'4" 225 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/stutheit07" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@stutheit07)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1614951' first='Spencer' last='Stutheit'] stood out in his first game with the Westside Warriors. Playing inside linebacker, Spencer did a great job filling in lanes to help slow down the North running game. He has a quick first step, which allows him to explode through his gap and meet RBs in the hole. He has excellent size at 6'4", 225 pounds, which he uses to drive back ball carriers at the point of contact and can disengage from blockers at the line of scrimmage. Stutheit also did a good job playing off-ball, showing he can lurk over the middle of the field and has the lateral quickness to pick up crossing receivers. He had an interception on North's two-point attempt and would've had a good return had he been able to advance the ball. Solid addition to this Westside defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1192553' first='Kordai' last='Richard'] (2027), DB/ATH - Omaha North - 5'9" 165 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/KordaiRichard1_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@KordaiRichard1_)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although we have listed Omaha North's [player_tooltip player_id='1192553' first='Kordai' last='Richard'] as a DB, we may need to consider him for his overall versatility. When rewatching Kordai's performance, the most notable aspect that stands out is the physicality and mean streak he brings to the field. He plays cornerback but has a linebacker mentality when it comes to helping out against the run, showing that he can get off perimeter blocks to step up and make a play on the RB. Richard is also physical in coverage, where he is willing to battle with receivers at the catch point to break up passes. He was also the first big spark offensively after a huge 21-yard reception that set up the Vikings' first TD of the game and made some solid returns on kickoff, showing that he can be dynamic with the ball in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1556219' first='Everest' last='Scherlizin'] (2026), K - Omaha Westside - 5'10" 150 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/Everest_30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Everest_30)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1556219' first='Everest' last='Scherlizin'] showed why he is among the top kickers in the state with a perfect kicking night for the Westside senior. Everest knocked in all three of his field goal attempts, with the longest coming from 34 yards out. He also drilled all seven of his PAT attempts, finishing the night with 16 total points. Having a reliable kicker like Everest available to help build the early lead was huge, as it took a bit for the Westside offense to get going at the start of the game, and it helped end two stalled redzone trips with at least 3 points. Scherlizin is ranked as a 4.5-star kicker and 4-star punter, showing he can be a versatile asset in your special teams unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581454' first='Justin' last='Parish Jr'] (2028), OL - Omaha Westside - 6'5" 290 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/JustinPari4103" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@JustinPari4103)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1581454' first='Justin' last='Parish Jr'] looked just fine in his first varsity start at right tackle against one of the better defensive lines in Class A. The Warriors' lineman had a very promising showing, both as a run blocker and in pass protection. The part of his game that stood out the most is that he plays with a mean streak. Parish takes the fight to the defender and is constantly looking to finish the block. He's nimble enough to be effective on pull blocks and can climb to the second level, while having the lateral quickness to mirror pass rushers on the edge. At 6'5" and 290 pounds, he possesses projectable size for the next level and has the natural strength to move players at will. There are still areas to improve, but with Justin being only a sophomore, the sky is the limit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->