2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: District A-4 | Preseason Class A Top 10
Class A District Breakdown: District A-1 | District A-2 | District A-3 | District A-5 | District A-6
| W | L | Off | Def | ||
| 1 | Creighton Prep | 7 | 3 | 32.9 | 16.0 |
| 2 | Papillion-LaVista | 4 | 6 | 27.3 | 27.1 |
| 3 | Omaha Burke | 8 | 3 | 26.8 | 20.5 |
| 4 | Omaha Central | 3 | 6 | 26.1 | 33.4 |
| 5 | Omaha Benson | 3 | 6 | 11.7 | 36.1 |
Team Capsules
1. Creighton Prep Junior Jays
Head Coach: Tim Johnk
2021 Record: 7-3 (Off. Avg: 32.9 | Def. Avg: 16.0)
State Champions: 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2004 | State Runner-Up: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1991, 2000, 2003, 2014
2021 Postseason: Lost to Grand Island in Class A first round, 30-28
Key Players: Jacob Brandl (6’4/270, OL/DL); Ahmar Brown (WR/LB, 6’1/200); Marty Brown (5’11/200, RB); George Egan (6’1/215, LB); Cole Jarrett (6’2/270, OL/DL); Pierce Johnson (5’11/170, WR); Nicholas Kieny (6’1/185, WR/LB); Christian Lewis (5’10/250, DL); Rocco Marcelino (6’5/250, DL); John Pargo Jr. (5’10/180, DB); Sam Sledge (6’5/270, OL/DL); Sam Stessman (6’3/180, QB)
2022 Schedule: 08/19 vs. Bellevue West; 08/26 vs. Omaha Westside; 09/01 @ Millard North; 09/09 @ Gretna; 09/15 vs. Millard West; 09/23 @ Omaha Burke; 09/30 vs. Omaha Central; 10/14 @ Papillion-LaVista; 10/20 vs. Omaha Benson
Preview: Creighton Prep will see two of the preseason top four teams in the first two weeks, which will prepare the Junior Jays for almost anything. Creighton Prep arguably has the top offensive line in the state led by Nebraska verbal Sledge and Brandl. RB Brown (1,210 yards, 14 TD’s) could have another huge season in the running game. Another strong suit is having the likes of Princeton commit Marcelino and DB Pargo Jr. on defense. The role players are talented for the Junior Jays. Even if the Junior Jays get off to a slow start, this is not a team you would want to see in November.
2. Papillion-La Vista Monarchs
Head Coach: Tim Williams
2021 Record: 4-6 (Off. Avg: 27.3 | Def. Avg: 27.1)
State Champions: 1990, 1996 | State Runner-Up: 1985, 1995, 1997
2021 Postseason: Lost to Bellevue West in Class A first round, 63-26.
Key Returnees: John Brase (6’1/185, LB); Keith Harrer (6’0/220, OL/DL); Travis Hines II (6’0/160, WR/DB, Jr.); Eric Ingwerson (6’7/230, TE/DL, Jr.); Braelin Morton (5’9/160, WR/DB); Payton Prestito (5’9/175, RB/DB, Jr.); Cal Price (5’7/135, WR/DB, Jr.); Josh Robles (6’0/195, RB/LB)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 vs. Millard North; 09/02 @ Papillion-LaVista South; 09/09 vs. Lincoln Southeast; 09/16 vs. Lincoln Southwest; 09/23 @ Omaha Benson; 09/30 vs. Omaha Burke; 10/07 @ Omaha Central; 10/14 vs. Creighton Prep; 10/21 @ North Platte
Preview: In 2021, Papillion-LaVista lost to both Class A state finalists by seven points. Expect the Monarchs to be competitive yet again. The QB situation will need to be settled, but having RB Prestito (676 rushing, 8 TD’s) in the backfield is major plus for the Monarchs. Watch for TE/DL Ingwerson and ATH Morton to take a huge step in 2022. LB Brase is expected to lead an improved defense. Expect Papillion-LaVista to be playoff bound for a third straight season as it searches for its first postseason win since 2013.
3. Omaha Burke Bulldogs
Head Coach: Ron Pavlik
2021 Record: 8-3 (Off. Avg: 26.8 | Def. Avg: 20.5)
State Champions: 2018 | State Runner-Up: 1980, 2011
2021 Postseason: Lost to Omaha Westside in Class A semifinal, 42-3.
Key Players: Mason Blankenship-Jones (6’0/195, RB/DB); Michael McGovern (5’7/235, OL/DL); Za’Kye Parrott (6’4/190, WR/DB); Landon Washington (5’10/175, WR/DB)
2022 Schedule: 08/25 vs. Gretna; 09/02 @ Bellevue West; 09/09 vs. Millard West; 09/16 @ Papillion-LaVista South; 09/23 vs. Creighton Prep; 09/30 @ Papillion-LaVista; 10/07 vs. Omaha Benson; 10/14 @ Elkhorn South; 10/21 @ Omaha Central
Preview: After making a run to the Class A semifinals a year ago, Omaha Burke has more questions than answers under new head coach Ron Pavlik. It’s not as bad as it may look on paper. Some talented holdovers will see the Bulldogs through the transition, including RB/DB Blankenship-Jones and WR/DB Parrott. Newcomers will need to step up in a hurry for Burke to make a similar postseason run. A berth in the postseason is not out of the question for the Bulldogs in 2022. If there is a dip in form, it may be temporary.
4. Omaha Central Eagles
Head Coach: Jay Landstrom
2021 Record: 3-6 (Off. Avg: 26.1 | Def. Avg: 33.4)
State Champions: 1994, 2007
2021 Postseason: Has not qualified for the postseason since 2015
Key Players: Ike Ackerman (6’2/210, TE/LB, Soph.); Keyou Craver (5’8/165, WR/DB); David Horne (5’9/165, RB/DB, Jr.); Tayzhon Johnson (6’0/190, WR/LB); Jamison Kemp (6’2/280, OL/DL); Caleb Pyfrom (6’5/280, OL/DL, Jr.); Byror Sherman (6’1/280, OL/DL, Jr.); Alijah Wayne (6’2/180, WR, Soph.); Darin Williams Jr. (6’1/240, DL)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 vs. Omaha Northwest; 09/02 @ Gretna; 09/09 at Lincoln High; 09/16 vs. Elkhorn South; 09/22 @ Omaha North; 09/30 @ Creighton Prep; 10/07 vs. Papillion-LaVista; 10/14 @ Omaha Benson; 10/21 vs. Omaha Burke
Preview: There is some talent available for Omaha Central as it attempts to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2015, which is also the last time the Eagles finished above .500. The Eagles are outstanding up front on both sides of the football, with Kemp and Pyfrom the headliners. In the recruiting world, keep an eye out for sophomore WR Wayne. If the Eagles are to improve, it must come on defense after giving up 33.4 points per game in 2021. 
5. Omaha Benson Bunnies
Head Coach: Terrence Mackey
2021 Record: 3-6 (Off. Avg: 11.7 | Def. Avg: 36.1)
State Runner-Up: 1994
2021 Postseason: Have not qualified for the postseason since 2009.
Key Players: Brandon Ashley (5’9/185, RB/LB); Isaac Goodwin (5’7/245, OL/DL); Brandon Jarmon (QB, Soph.); Darnell Marion-Jones (5’7/160, WR/DB); Kevon Newsome (6’0, WR/DB); Stephen Owusu (6’4/275, OL/DL, Soph.); DaShawn Prince (6’2/180, WR/DB, Frosh.); D.J. Sterling (5’11/150, WR/DB, Jr.); Kelvin Washington (6’2/295, OL/DL, Soph.)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 vs. Lincoln North Star; 09/01 @ Omaha Bryan; 09/08 @ Omaha Westview; 09/15 vs. Omaha North; 09/23 vs. Papillion-LaVista; 09/30 @ Bellevue East; 10/07 @ Omaha Burke; 10/14 vs. Omaha Central; 10/20 @ Creighton Prep
Preview: Omaha Benson definitely has some guys. Expect to see drastic improvement from an offense that averaged less than 12 points per game a year ago. Headlines were made when freshman WR Prince received an offer from Nebraska before playing a varsity game, but there are other playmakers available on the roster. WR Sterling (627 receiving yards, 4 TD’s) is the top returnee for the Bunnies. A young and inexperienced offensive and defensive front took its lumps a year ago, which will benefit the Bunnies in the long run. This is a team to keep an eye on with some wins available on the schedule.
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