Nebraska Team Preview: Gothenburg Swedes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start off our team previews in Nebraska by taking a look at the Gothenburg Swedes, who went 8-2 last season and bring back some firepower to their offense and defense to watch for in Class C2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gothenburg Swedes had a record of 8-1 heading into the 2025 playoffs last season, but were eliminated in the first round the playoffs by Fort Calhoun in Class C1. They featured four players that were All-State last year in offensive linemen Kyser Tiede, defensive linemen Axel Jorgenson and Gabe Smith but do return All-State junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2230673' first='Tristan' last='Koch'] who had 99 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, and six sacks last season. The 2026 season will be one to watch for the Swedes, as although I couldn't find much Hudl tape from last season having [player_tooltip player_id='2230673' first='Tristan' last='Koch'] on both sides of the ball at running back and linebacker, that will give them some leadership from an All-Stater that in my eyes should be playing on Saturdays. The Swedes have moved down to Class C2 for the 2026 season, which is another bright spot for a roster I hope to see more tape on this season as they have a large 2028 class and some great size in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Gothenburg Swedes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Riley Freeland, 1st season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter:</strong> <a href="https://x.com/GothenburgFB">https://x.com/GothenburgFB</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class:</strong> C-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 8-2 (4-0 in District</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 29: Win Against Ogallala 28-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 5: Win Against Chase County 41-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 12: Win Against Adams County 15-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 19: Win Against Chadron 30-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 26: Loss Against Sidney 21-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 3: Win Against Cozad 56-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 10: Win Against Holdrege 48-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 17: Win Against 27-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 24: Win Against Broken 14-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 31: Loss Against Fort Calhoun 20-13 (first round of playoffs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2230673"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8bd1715e68d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tristan is a middle linebacker for Gothenburg that you can tell is instinctive in pass coverage from the first look on tape as that translates to the offensive side of the ball as well. Impressive open field vision as a pass-catcher that can create splash plays downfield with those his instinctive agile movement. He also shows that he can be durable off contact as a bowling-ball type that can bouce off would-be tacklers. The 6'1 190 pounder is a scholarship talent in my eyes that translates as a linebacker at the next-level with no offers yet. <a href="https://x.com/TristanKoch21X" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/TristanKoch21X">TWITTER</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2343734,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8bd1715e797"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kash is a new name to our Prep Redzone Nebraska radar as a 6'1 170 pounder to watch in the 2026 season for Gothenburg. He shows off solid tight window hands that seem to excel the most in red zone situations. He's a fluid route-runner that can create well-versed seperation over the middle of the field for the Swedes offense. He's got upside that he can grow in the 2028 class as far becoming a more effective cutter with his route-running ability and one that should light a solid spark in the Swedes offense looking ahead at this upcoming season. 35'7 inch vertical jump along with a 4.5 laser 40-yard dash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingston Koehn, DE/OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden Pesek, DE/OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 Schedule</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 27: Home vs. Cozad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 4: Away at Hershey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 11: Home vs. Mitchell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 18: Away at Ogallala</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 25: Away at Ord</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 2: Home vs. Chase County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 9: Home vs. Wood River</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 15: Away at St. Paul</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 23: Home vs. Grand Island Central Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->