2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: District A-5 | Class A Preseason Top 10
Class A District Breakdowns: District A-1 | District A-2 | District A-3 | District A-4 | District A-6
| W | L | Off | Def | ||
| 1 | Elkhorn South | 9 | 2 | 32.6 | 14.5 |
| 2 | Omaha North | 6 | 6 | 27.6 | 28.7 |
| 3 | Grand Island | 7 | 4 | 27.6 | 21.4 |
| 4 | Fremont | 5 | 4 | 28.9 | 22.6 |
| 5 | Omaha Northwest | 1 | 8 | 11.6 | 37.8 |
Team Capsules
1. Elkhorn South Storm
Head Coach: Guy Rosenberg
2021 Record: 9-2 (Off. Avg: 32.6 | Def. Avg: 14.5)
State Champions: 2015 (B), 2016 (B) | State Runner-Up: 2020 (A)
Postseason: Lost to Gretna in Class A state quarterfinals, 14-7
Key Players: Cole Ballard (6’0/190, RB/DB); Noah Bustard (6’2/225, OL/DL); Corbin Ford (6’0/190, DB); Joshua McWilliams (6’1/185, WR); Jackson Moeller-Swan (6’0/190, WR/DB); Ashton Murphy (6’5/240, OL/DL, Jr.); Maverick Noonan (6’4/235, OL/DL); Carson Rauner (6’2/175, QB, Jr.); Henry Prochazka (6’4/220, DL, Jr.); Koen Thomson (6’0/240, OL/DL)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 @ Lincoln Southeast; 09/02 vs. Millard South; 09/08 vs. Papillion-LaVista South; 09/16 @ Omaha Central; 09/23 vs. Omaha Northwest; 09/30 @ Fremont; 10/07 @ Grand Island; 10/14 vs. Omaha Burke; 10/21 vs. Omaha North
Preview: You could make a serious argument that Elkhorn South has the tools to make a run at winning its first Class A state championship in 2022. Having RB Ballard (1,207 rushing, 23 TD’s) as one of the best backs in the state will be helpful. Junior QB Rauner has big shoes to fill, but is more than capable of doing so. The key to the Storm will be up front, especially on the defensive line. The state’s best unit features Nebraska pledge Noonan and a host of others, including emerging junior Prochazka. Without question, Elkhorn South will play its way into the state title discussion with a very good chance to run the table in the regular season to finish 9-0.
2. Omaha North Vikings
Head Coach: Larry Martin
2021 Record: 6-6 (Off. Avg: 27.6 | Def. Avg: 28.7)
State Championships: 2013, 2014, 2017 | State Runner-Up: 2012, 2016
Postseason: Lost to Gretna in Class A semifinals, 34-0.
Key Players: Tre’Vionne Brown (5’9/160, WR); Sebastian Circo (5’10/170, QB, Soph.); Connor Cook (6’8/310, OL/DL, Soph.); Titan Glassman (6’0/175, WR/DB, Soph.); S’marious Henderson (6’3/305, Ol/DL, Jr.); Devin Jones (6’3/295, OL/DL0; Donovan Jones (5’11/150, WR/DB, Jr.); Peyton Knickerbocker (6’3/265, OL/DL); Zyon Knox (5’11/150, RB/DB), Te’Shaun Porter (5’11/200, RB); Darius Richardson (OL/DL, Jr.); Maurice Sherrod (WR/DB, Jr.); Tyson Stewart (5’10/205, RB/LB); Tyson Terry (6’3/260, OL/DL, Soph.); Julian Turner-Wright (6’0/200, TE/DL); Nolan Venner (6’0/205, LB, Jr.)
2022 ScheduleL 08/26 vs. Bellevue West; 09/02 @ Millard West; 09/08 vs. Columbus; 09/15 @ Omaha Benson; 09/22 vs. Omaha Central; 09/30 @ Omaha Northwest; 10/07 vs. Fremont; 10/14 vs. Grand Island; 10/21 @ Elkhorn South
Preview: After starting the season at 1-5, the late resurgence from the Vikings was no fluke. A lot of eyes will be on sophomore QB Circo, who already has FBS offers. Coming into the 2022 season, Omaha North has the tools to push Elkhorn South for district honors. RB Porter (1,610 rushing yards, 18 TD’s) is a Preseason All-State selection, with a solid unit up front will boost the Vikings. On defense, sophomore DL Terry (85 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks) could be one of the best Nebraska has seen in quite some time, already holding FBS offers. With one of the best head coaches in the state in Martin, the Vikings will be ready in 2022.
3. Grand Island Islanders
Head Coach: Jeff Tomlin
2021 Record: 7-4 (Off. Avg: 27.6 | Def. Avg: 21.4)
State Champions: 1978 | State Runner-Up: 1987, 1990, 2018
2021 Postseason: Lost to Bellevue West in Class A quarterfinals, 52-20.
Key Players: Jace Chrisman (6’1/205, RB/LB); Bo Douglass (6’2/275, OL/DL); Alex Dzingle (5’10/165, WR/LB); Cohen Evans (6’3/220, QB/DB);Justyce Hostetler (5’11/185, LB, Jr.); Carson Leiting (6’0/215, TE/DL); Reece McBride (5’10/160, WR/DB); Riley Plummer (5’10/150, QB/DB); Cole Thorne (6’1/190, TE/DB)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 @ North Platte; 09/02 vs. Omaha Westside; 09/09 vs. Norfolk; 09/16 @ Lincoln High; 09/23 vs. Fremont; 09/30 @ Kearney; 10/07 vs. Elkhorn South; 10/14 @ Omaha North; 10/21 @ Omaha Northwest
Preview: There is plenty to like about the Islanders heading into the 2022 season having qualified for the playoffs in every season since 2013 and winning a playoff game in four straight seasons. Grand Island’s strength will be on defense with plenty of experience coming back. Chrisman (59 tackles, 2 INT’s), junior LB Hostetler (74 tackles, 4 TFL) and DL Evans (47 tackles, 3 sacks) will be relied upon to be the leaders. Expect the Islanders to be firmly in the playoff discussion yet again. If the offense plays well, watch out.
4. Fremont Tigers
Head Coach: Lee Jennings
2021 Record: 5-4 (Off. Avg: 28.9 | Def. Avg: 22.6)
State Runner-Up: 1986
2021 Postseason: Last qualified for postseason in 2020
Key Players: Benny Alfaro (5’11/210, RB/LB); Dakota Coon (6’1/245, OL/DL, Jr.); Hudson Cunnings (6’0/185, QB/LB); Jackson Cyza (6’0/160, WR/DB); Brayden Reeder (6’1, DL); Hunter Rich (5’10/160, WR/DB); Titus Richardson (6’1/270, OL/DL); Caleb Wagner (6’2/250, OL/DL)
2022 Schedule: 08/19 vs. Columbus; 08/26 vs. Papillion-LaVista South; 09/02 @ Kearney; 09/09 vs. Lincoln Northeast; 09/15 @ Norfolk; 09/23 @ Grand Island; 09/30 vs. Elkhorn South; 10/07 @ Omaha North; 10/14 vs. Omaha Northwest
Preview: Fremont will be in the thick of the playoff race out of District A-5 and can rely on having a solid nucleus returning on defense. Jennings is 11-8 as head coach in two seasons and has maintained stability in the program.. RB/LB Alfaro (68 tackles, 5 TFL) will be a leader on both sides of the ball, while you can expect to see more offensive production from Cunnings (68 tackles, INT). Fremont’s strong suit will be up front with plenty of size and experience led by Richardson and Wagner (26 tackles, 7 TFL). DB Cyza (3 INT’s) is another boost defensively for Fremont. This is a team that will not be an easy out this season. Watch this space.
5. Omaha Northwest Huskies
Head Coach: Chris Fant
2021 Record: 1-8 (Off. Avg: 11.6 | Def. Avg. 37.8)
State Runner-Up: 1981
2021 Postseason: Has not qualified for postseason since 2008
Key Players: Ryan Hasenjager (6’1/165, WR/DB); Mylique Haseman (TE/LB); Sheldon Henderson (5’9/155, WR/DB)
2022 Schedule: 08/26 @ Omaha Central; 09/02 @ Lincoln High; 09/09 vs. South Sioux City; 09/16 vs. Bellevue East; 09/23 @ Elkhorn South; 09/30 vs. Omaha North; 10/06 @ Omaha South; 10/14 @ Fremont; 10/21 vs. Grand Island
Preview: Not much is known heading into 2022 for Omaha Northwest. A new high school will affect enrollment, which will not help with participation numbers. Searching for its first playoff win in 40 years, the Huskies have won one game in three seasons with one season missed due to COVID restrictions (2020). Head coach Chris Fant will need to rely on youth to develop a roster for the future.
Nebraska HS Football 