Week 7 Matchups to Watch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   #3 Elkhorn South (6-0) vs. #2 Omaha Westside (6-0)   Easily one of the biggest matchups of the year as the #3 Elkhorn South Storm will look to avenge their state championship loss to #2 Omaha Westside. Both teams enter the game undefeated, riding balanced, explosive offenses and equipped with stingy, suffocating defenses. Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] and Elkhorn South's [player_tooltip player_id='245867' first='Gavin' last='Shanahan'] are two workhorse backs who will be used early and often to set the tempo for their respective offenses. Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='487734' first='Braylen' last='Warren'] has been calm and poised through his first six games as QB1 for the Warriors, throwing for 1,266 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes. Elkhorn South's [player_tooltip player_id='236546' first='Madden' last='Riggs'] continues to be highly efficient and reliable for the Storm, with 976 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. 4-star Husker commit [player_tooltip player_id='305111' first='Christian' last='Jones'] (LB/TE), senior [player_tooltip player_id='318995' first='Keynan' last='Cotton'] (WR/ATH), senior [player_tooltip player_id='1544961' first='Finn' last='Christensen'] (ATH), senior Cam Bell, junior [player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] (TE), junior [player_tooltip player_id='795605' first='Reid' last='McIntyre'] (DB), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='402164' first='Quinton' last='Warren'] (LB/ATH) are all capable of coming up with big plays. Elkhorn South senior [player_tooltip player_id='245877' first='Landon' last='Tate'] (WR/DB), senior [player_tooltip player_id='319552' first='Devin' last='Meier'] (LB/TE), junior [player_tooltip player_id='487760' first='Griffin' last='McDonald'] (LB), junior [player_tooltip player_id='795607' first='Cooper' last='Perrien'] (DL), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='795608' first='Tristan' last='Brewer'] (OL/DL) will all be players to watch out for.   #10 Omaha Central (3-3) at #6 Papillion-La Vista (5-1)   Here's an important district game between two top-10 teams that could carry major playoff-seeding implications down the road. #10 Omaha Central is fresh off a huge win over Creighton Prep that came in the last seconds of the game after QB [player_tooltip player_id='487569' first='BJ' last='Newsome'] found Northwest Missouri State commit [player_tooltip player_id='318987' first='Ike' last='Ackerman'] for the game-winning score. Central is fueled by a vicious ground-and-pound rushing attack featuring star '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='212374' first='Kylonn' last='Haynie'], who rushed for 170 yards and four rushing touchdowns last weekend. Some Central players you definitely need to account for are South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='318989' first='Alijah' last='Wayne'] (DL/TE), 4-star sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='422820' first='Tory' last='Pittman III'] (DB/ATH), freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1590700' first='Yasir' last='Grixby'] (ATH), and several others. On the other hand, the Monarchs suffered their first loss of the season to Millard South last Friday and will be looking to get back in the win column. QB Cam Leggett has taken over the QB1 role seamlessly, as he's thrown for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 61% completion rate. The senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='362264' first='Kale' last='Johnson'] (LB/TE), [player_tooltip player_id='414784' first='Isaac' last='Pamaran'] (WR/ATH), and [player_tooltip player_id='386618' first='Owen' last='Bogacz'] (WR/DB) have shined as pass-catchers and crucial defensive playmakers. The RB duo of Antonio Digiacomo and freshman Michael Valencia Jr will look to establish the run game against a tough Central defense.   #4 Kearney (4-2) at #7 Millard North (5-1)   Here's another matchup that could shake up the playoff picture. Both teams seem to be catching their stride at the right time, as the #4 Kearney Bearcats, riding a three-game win streak, visit the #7 Millard North Mustangs, who have won their last two games by comfortable margins. Millard North is headlined by their versatile Husker-bound duo of [player_tooltip player_id='245856' first='Caden' last='VerMaas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='301713' first='Pierce' last='Mooberry'] have proven to be tough to contain. VerMaas has rushed for 510 yards, hauled in six receptions for 295 yards (50 yards a catch), and has been a menace as a return man. Mooberry leads the team in receiving yards (489) and tackles (48 total) with 6 TFLs and 2 sacks. Watch out for Millard North players like Wyoming-bound [player_tooltip player_id='319001' first='Henry' last='Rehberg'] (DL), Northwest Missouri State-commit Desmond Dhaenans (DB), 3-star junior [player_tooltip player_id='284046' first='Araf' last='Evans'] Jr (DB/ATH), senior [player_tooltip player_id='319557' first='Rocky' last='Chavez'] (LB), senior [player_tooltip player_id='318997' first='Spencer' last='Phillips'] (LB), junior [player_tooltip player_id='533092' first='Zion' last='Rush'] (QB), and senior [player_tooltip player_id='319201' first='Colin' last='Bogacz'] (RB/LB) to all be difference makers in this one. Kearney also has several players to watch, like Kansas State-bound [player_tooltip player_id='545268' first='Sawyer' last='Schilke'] (LB) flying off the edge. He is also joined by players like Nebraska-Kearney commit [player_tooltip player_id='988633' first='Ryan' last='Meier'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='893494' first='Reese' last='Bertrand'] to form one of the toughest LB rooms in Class A.   #10 Elkhorn (3-3) at #1 Bennington (6-0)   The Elkhorn Antlers are coming off a massive upset victory over previously undefeated Elkhorn North, could they repeat that feat? The team they will try to knock off is the 3-time defending champions riding a historic 45-game win streak, the Bennington Badgers. The Bennington machine continues to roll behind a strong culture and “next man up” mentality. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1085199' first='Will' last='Gutz'] has been the key offensive weapon, starting at he season at RB and now seeing time at QB. The constant for the Badgers is a stifling defense with playmakers at all levels including Wayne State commit [player_tooltip player_id='489657' first='Jack' last='Jansen'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='319575' first='Kyler' last='Lauridsen'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='546019' first='Layne' last='Boever'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059049' first='Gavin' last='Olson'], and senior Tyson Fleischman. That defense will have their work cut out for them as they face the dynamic trio of [player_tooltip player_id='319543' first='Kayd' last='Matthews'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='736115' first='Peyton' last='Turman'] (WR), and [player_tooltip player_id='318991' first='Charlie' last='Lamski'] (WR). Add in a good dose of [player_tooltip player_id='893493' first='Elliot' last='Beister'] running the ball, and you have a well-balanced offense that can churn out tough, gritty drives. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='518054' first='Beckett' last='Mull'] (LB), senior Tim Boomgarden (DL/OL), senior [player_tooltip player_id='736404' first='Gus' last='Schultz'] (DB), and Southwest Minnesota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='736403' first='Willie' last='Rush'] (DL) are some defensive players to keep an eye on.   #8 Hastings (4-2) at #4 Scottsbluff (5-1)   The #8 Hastings make the long drive to the panhandle to take on one of the biggest tests on their schedule against #4 Scottsbluff. The Tigers have built on a breakout ‘23 season and looked primed to return to the playoffs for a possible deep run. QB [player_tooltip player_id='736407' first='Tucker' last='Synek'] continues to impress as QB1, as he's thrown for 1,084 yards, eight touchdowns, and has added five scores on the ground. The Tigers are anchored by a senior group that has proven to be playmakers on both sides of the ball, like [player_tooltip player_id='736408' first='Kooper' last='Kohl'] (LB/TE), [player_tooltip player_id='736409' first='Keithen' last='Krings'] (WR/DB), and [player_tooltip player_id='414924' first='Chance' last='Vertin'] (LB/ATH), with a solid group of juniors that have stepped up nicely, like Brody Dreher (WR/DB) and [player_tooltip player_id='1270510' first='Broeyn' last='Hartman'] (WR/DB). It's rinse, wash, repeat for the Scottsbluff Bearcats, who again field one of the toughest running games in Class B behind dual-threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1113962' first='Nate' last='Kelley'] and senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1059097' first='Dez' last='Smith']. Along with a physical run game, you know the Bearcats will field a quick, bruising defense that knows how to get after the ball. Players like senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059157' first='Jhett' last='Webb'] (LB), senior Dawson Barrett (LB), senior Sebastian Galindo (DB), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1209690' first='Keon' last='Delgado'] (DB) will look to leave their mark on the game.   #4 Elkhorn North (5-1) at #2 Skutt Catholic (6-0)   The Wolves meet the Sky Hawks in a game that could be huge for each team's hopes for a high playoff seed. Both teams play in what I consider the toughest district in any class, so winning this game will be crucial. Elkhorn North will look to "get right" after suffering their first loss of the season to cross-town rival Elkhorn last week. Despite the hiccup, Elkhorn North still fields one of the most talented rosters in Class B, with elite playmakers like South Dakota T&F commit [player_tooltip player_id='319199' first='Jett' last='Tingelhoff'] (RB/ATH), senior [player_tooltip player_id='1573590' first='Nathan' last='Kudrna'] (DB), junior [player_tooltip player_id='1105168' first='Alex' last='Uchtman'] (DB/ATH), junior [player_tooltip player_id='488116' first='Jase' last='Reynolds'] (WR/LB), junior [player_tooltip player_id='1114606' first='Barry' last='Fries'] (LB), and a slew of trench monsters on the offensive and defensive line. QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='795746' first='Ethan' last='Beachy'] has been great in the starting role with 1,293 passing yards, 158 rushing yards, 14 passing TDs, and two scores on the ground. Skutt Catholic continues to run through opponents on their revenge tour with all eyes set on returning to Memorial Stadium to avenge their loss at state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='245855' first='Dylan' last='Van Dyke'] has really opened up the offense with an explosive passing attack to complement a gritty run game. Van Dyke has thrown for 1,108 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 70% completion rate, along with two rushing touchdowns. His connection with fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059142' first='Joseph' last='Kolega'] has led to 695 receiving yards and a state-leading 12 receiving touchdowns. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='350336' first='Luke' last='Van Dyke'] (LB), senior [player_tooltip player_id='319193' first='Aedan' last='Underwood'] (DL), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='402140' first='Brenden' last='Ruth'] (DB) are some other names I'm keeping an eye on in this matchup.   #6 Oakland-Craig (5-1) at #1 Norfolk Catholic (6-0)   Norfolk Catholic remains at the top of the mountain with back-to-back championships and rolling with a 32-game winning streak, but they will face their toughest stretch in the upcoming weeks with games against Oakland-Craig, Battle Creek, and Cedar Catholic. This week, they take on the dynamic OC Knights, who have been playing fantastic football with a lone loss to Battle Creek. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='518055' first='Braylon' last='Anderson'] is playing QB as well as anyone in the state right now with 1,954 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, with an additional five rushing touchdowns. What makes Braylon and this offense so tough to defend is their ability to spread the ball, with three receivers having at least 25 receptions, 300 yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1429619' first='Corbin' last='Guill'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='319569' first='Jeremiah' last='Druckenmiller'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='1060909' first='Isaak' last='Maxwell'], and senior Jaxon Jorgenson will look to spread the NC defense as best as they can. Norfolk Catholic returns a very talented roster with playmakers like senior [player_tooltip player_id='737021' first='Max' last='Hammond'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='1314950' first='Braeden' last='Burbach'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='1060905' first='Hayden' last='Kelley'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='1113988' first='Gage' last='Yosten'], and some monsters on the OL, such as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1060906' first='Brenden' last='Flood'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1617346' first='Leighton' last='Burbach'].   #8 Stuart (4-1) at #7 Hampton (4-1)   This Top 8 six-man matchup between the visiting Stuart Broncos and host Hampton Hawks is primed to be a high-scoring affair. Hampton enters the game averaging 54 points per game, while Stuart isn't too shabby themselves, averaging 49.4 points per game. Stuart junior [player_tooltip player_id='1562885' first='Kayde' last='Ramm'] will lead the charge offensively as he's played very efficiently despite only attempting 47 passes, he's thrown for 521 yards and 14 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Hampton senior [player_tooltip player_id='1414399' first='Jackson' last='Bullis'] is a do-it-all player who currently leads the team in rushing (738 yards & 14 touchdowns), receiving (267 yards & 5 touchdowns), TFLs (6), and is second in total tackles (44).   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

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