2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: District B-5 | Class B Preseason Top 10

Class B District Breakdowns: District B-1 | District B-2 | District B-3 | District B-4

WLOffDef
1Scottsbluff8340.019.1
2GI Northwest5532.529.8
3Hastings2715.926.4
4Gering2713.931.3
5Lexington4614.727.3

Top Players
EJ Arends | GI Northwest | 6’1/165 | WR/DB – 61 tackles, 2 TFL
Sebastien Boyle | Scottsbluff | 6’0/205 | RB (Jr.) – 1,808 rushing yards, 25 TD’s
Jase Carptenter | Lexington | 5’9/130 | WR/DB – 556 receiving, 4 TD’s; 54 tackles, 5 INT’s
Isaiah Esquivel | GI Northwest | 6’0/205 | OL – Plays larger than his size up front for the Vikings
Tanner Gartner | Gering | 5’9/165 | RB (Jr.) – 675 rushing yards, 2 TD’s
Owen Harb | GI Northwest | 6’0/250 | OL/DL
Travin Harring | GI Northwest | 5’6/125 | WR/DB – 417 receiving yards, 6 TD’s
Victor Isele | GI Northwest | 6’2/220 | OL/DL – Committed to North Dakota St.; 64 tackles, 19 TFL, 7 sacks
Maddux Janecek | Gering | OL/DL – 28 tackles, 7 TFL
Tyson Klein | Scottsbluff | 6’2/190 | DB – 35 tackles, 5.5 TFL
Brock Knutson | Scottsbluff | 6’7/285 | OL/DL – Committed to Nebraska
Josiah Mobley | Scottsbluff | 6’0/170 | LB – 87 tackles, 7 TFL
Daven Naylor | Lexington | 5’5/130 | QB/DB – 582 passing, 2 TD’s; 59 tackles, 4 INT’s
Joe Rodriguez | Hastings | 6’2/215 | TE/LB – College prospect for the Tigers
Braeden Stull | Scottbluff | 6’3/175 | QB – 963 passing, 7 TD’s; 1,089 rushing, 20 TD’s
Michael Thrash | Scottsbluff | 6’0/205 | LB – 41 tackles, 10.5 TFL
Johnny Whyrick | Hastings | 6’2/180 | QB (Jr.) – 738 passing, 5 TD’s
Jace Wilkinson | Scottsbluff | 6’0/180 | LB – 67 tackes, 6 TFL, 3 INT’s, 2 sacks

Team Capsules


1. Scottsbluff Bearcats
Head Coach: Judson Hall
2021 Record: 8-3 (Off. Avg: 40.0 | Def. Avg: 19.1)
Postseason: Lost to Aurora in Class B semifinals, 34-14
2022 Schedule: 8/26 @ Lincoln Pius X; 9/2 vs. North Platte; 9/9 vs. Fredrick (CO); 9/16 @ York; 9/23 vs. GI Northwest; 9/30 @ Waverly; 10/7 at Hastings; 10/14 @ Gering; 10/21 @ Lexington
Preview: Scottsbluff enters the season as the Nebraska HS Football Preseason Class B No. 1. With 10 of the last 11 Class B state champions coming from the metro, with the exception of York in 2017, the Bearcats have a tall task at hand. Scottsbluff was runner-up in 2018 and 2019, with its only blemish of each season coming in the final. QB Braeden Stull is a threat for 1,000 yards in the air and on the ground. Junior RB Sebastien Boyle (1,808 rushing yards, 25 TD’s), one of the top juniors in the state, is running behind Nebraska pledge Brock Knutson (6’7/285) for the Bearcats. Jace Wilkinson, Michael Thrash, Josiah Mobley lead an impressive linebacking corps, while DB Tyson Klein and a host of others will make up one of the top defensive units in the state. A difficult opener at Lincoln Pius X and a Week 2 tilt with Class A Top 10 contender North Platte will test the Bearcats.


2. Grand Island Northwest Vikings
Head Coach: Kevin Stein
2021 Record: 5-5 (Off. Avg: 32.5 | Def. Avg: 29.8)
Postseason: Lost to Waverly in Class B first round,
2022 Schedule: 8/26 @ Aurora; 9/2 @ Omaha Skutt Catholic; 9/9 vs. Seward; 9/16 vs. Elkhorn North; 9/23 @ Scottsbluff; 9/30 @ Hastings; 10/7 vs. Gering; 10/14 vs. Lexington; 10/21 @ York
Preview: Grand Island Northwest has qualified for the playoffs the past seven seasons, but was unable to get past the first round in 2021. RB/LB Tyler Douglass showed some explosiveness with the ball in his hands and is a player to watch closely in 2022. OL/DL Victor Isele (64 tackles, 19 TFL, 7 sacks) is one of the top defensive prospects in Class B. OL/DL Owen Harb will boost Grand Island Northwest up front. A prospect of note to watch on recruiting radars is junior TE/DL Joseph Stein (6’5/225). The Vikings face a difficult first two weeks with defending Class B runner-up Aurora and Preseason No. 2 Omaha Skutt both looming on the road.


3. Hastings TIgers
Head Coach: Charlie Shoemaker
2021 Record: 2-7 (Off. Avg: 15.9 | Def. Avg: 26.4)
Postseason: Has not qualified for postseason since 2020.
2022 Schedule: 8/26 @ Elkhorn North; 9/2 vs. York; 9/9 @ Lincoln Pius X; 9/16 vs. Seward; 9/23 @ Lexington; 9/30 vs. GI Northwest; 10/7 @ Scottsbluff; 10/14 vs. Ralston; 10/21 vs. Gering
Preview: After making a run to the Class B semifinals in 2020, Hastings took a step backwards last season. Hastings has opted to drop to Class B from Class A and will be ineligible for the postseason for the next two seasons and will play the role of spoilers for district opposition. Junior QB Johnny Whyrick (6’2/185) has experience and a bright future for the Tigers. Don’t be surprised to see TE/LB Joe Rodriguez (6’2/215) emerge as the leader for Hastings on defense.


4. Gering Bulldogs
Head Coach: Danny O’Boyle
2021 Record: 2-7 (Off. Avg: 13.9 | Def. Avg: 31.3)
Postseason: Has not qualified for the postseason since 2011.
2022 Schedule: 8/26 vs. Torrington (WY); 9/2 @ Chadron; 9/9 vs. Douglas (WY); 9/16 vs. Ogallala; 9/23 @ Seward; 9/30 vs. Lexington; 10/7 @ GI Northwest; 10/14 vs. Scottsbluff; 10/21 @ Hastings
Preview: Gering is looking for its first playoff appearance since 2011. Don’t be surprised if that streak ends in 2022. Junior QB Jackson Howard and junior RB Tanner Gartner both have experience and showed signs of promise as sophomores. Junior Grady Robbins returns as the top performer from the defense. There is plenty of reason for optimism for the Bulldogs.


5. Lexington Minutemen
Head Coach: Charles Morman Jr.
2021 Record: 4-6 (Off. Avg: 14.7 | Def. Avg: 27.3)
Postseason: Lost to Aurora in Class B first round, 49-7
2022 Schedule: 8/26 @ York; 9/2 @ Crete; 9/9 vs. Norris; 9/16 @ Cozad; 9/23 vs. Hastings; 9/30 @ Gering; 10/7 vs. Lincoln Northwest; 10/14 @ GI Northwest; 10/21 vs. Scottsbluff
Preview: Lexington has qualified for the postseason in three out of the last four seasons after a long drought in the early 2010’s and is searching for its first playoff victory since 1997. QB Daven Naylor is back to lead the offense for the Minutemen. On defense, plenty of talent is back including DB Jase Carpenter, LB Levi Converse, and Levi Kopf expected to be the leaders in a solid group.