2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: Preseason Class C-1 Top 10 | Class C-1 Preseason All-State

The Top 10

  1. Aurora (10-3 – Class B Runner-Up) – Dropping from Class B after an appearance in the state title game, RB Carlos Collazo (2,021 rushing, 28 TD’s) is back after an All-State performance. After dropping two games to open the season, the Huskies got on a roll and took care of business in emphatic fashion from there until the final. LB Britton Kemling (66 tackles, INT) and OL/DL and Jack Allen are also back for the Huskies. (Nebraska TV Preview)
  2. Pierce (10-3 – Class C-1 Runner-Up) – Considered one of the favorites entering the season after a runner-up showing in C-1 a year ago, the Bluejays have more than Nebraska TE pledge Ben Brahmer (1,119 receiving, 13 TD’s). QB/DB Abram Scholting (2,265 passing yards, 30 TD’s; 55 tackles, 3 INT’s) and DL Dawson Raabe (61 tackles, 4 sacks) are coming off All-State performances, while Division II OL/DL pledge Schuyler Simpson (6’5/280) and LB Tristan Kuehler (157 tackles, 5 TFL) will boost the Bluejays.
  3. Ashland-Greenwood (10-1 – Class C-1 Quarterfinalist) – Runner-up twice in the 2010’s, the Bluejays are still gunning for their first state title. OL Braxton Buck and DL Luke Lambert are returning All-State honorees in C-1. Big things are ahead with experienced junior QB Dane Jacobsen (1,519 passing, 19 TD’s), who could emerge as one of the top quarterbacks Class C-1 has to offer. The Bluejays have won a playoff game every season since 2018.
  4. Boone Central (9-2 – Class C-1 Quarterfinalist) – Boone Central is considered an outside threat to win its second state title in school history and its first for 21 years. Junior RB Parker Borer (898 rushing, 11 TD’s) shows good speed and will likely be a major part of the offense. DL Jackson Roberts (71 tackles, 20 TFL, 8.5 sacks) and junior LB Hank Hudson (80 tackles, 14 TFL) are Preseason All-State honorees.
  5. Omaha Roncalli (5-5 – Lost in Class B First Round)- Another school dropping from Class B out of the metro area, Omaha Roncalli features junior QB Brady McGill (1,380 passing, 13 TD’s). The Crimson Pride also feature OL/DL Ethan Pleshek and LB Charlie Mausbach. After dropping its playoff game by two points to Seward, Omaha Roncalli has a high motivation factor.
  6. Columbus Lakeview (11-2 – Class C-1 State Champions) – After getting off to an 0-2 start, the Vikings righted the ship and stormed to their first ever state championship in football by using a strong senior class. Lakeview will still figure in the race yet again, led by WR/DL Braxton Borer. Ashton Stubbert will be amongst the top lineman for the Vikings in 2022 as they search for title number two.
  7. Adams Central (6-4 – Lost in Class C-1 First Round) – Runner-up in 2021, Adams Central is looking to get back into the mix with a run in the playoffs in 2022. RB Hyatt Collins (1,121 rushing, 13 TD’s), OL/DL Leighton Weber (69 tackles, 6 TFL), and junior LB Lucas Gabriel (101 tackles, 6 TFL) are all back to lead the Patriots, who are definitely a team to keep an eye on.
  8. Chadron (9-1 – Lost in Class C-1 First Round) – After running the table in the regular season in dominating fashion, Chadron was ousted in the first round of the playoffs. There are playmakers available despite losing a lot of offensive production, including WR/DB Xander Provance (391 receiving, 3 TD’s)and WR/DB Seth Gaswick (380 receiving, 7 TD’s). DB Rhett Cullers (66 tackles) will boost the defense.
  9. Wahoo (7-4 – Class C-1 Quarterfinalist) – State champions in 2019, Wahoo will be searching for its eighth consecutive playoff berth. QB Owen Hancock (1,185 total yards, 18 total TD’s) is back to lead the offense, while OL/DL Dominek Rohleder (49 tackles, 9 TFL) will anchor the front.
  10. Auburn (7-3 – Lost in Class C-1 First Round) – With two Preseason All-State honorees in LB Austin Lavinge (50 tackles, 7 TFL) and DB Rylan Boellstorff (31 tackles, 4 INT’s), the 2006 champions are hoping to take a step further in the playoffs. Talented DL Wyatt Rowell (80 tackles, 9 TFL) and RB Tate Hug (526 rushing, 8 TD’s) are other players to watch for the Bulldogs.

Teams To Watch: Boys Town (6-4), Cozad (5-4), Columbus Scotus (9-2), McCook (4-6), Nebraska City (6-3), Platteview (5-4), Wayne (5-5)

2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: Class C-1 District Predictions
(The fact that district standing has nothing to do with playoff seeding is NOTED)

District C1-1 (2021 Record)
1. Ashland-Greenwood (10-1) – Preseason No. 3
2. Omaha Roncalli (5-5 in Class B) – Preseason No. 5
3. Platteview (5-4) – Platteview is expected to make a run at the postseason, led by QB Jared Kuhl (1,983 total yards, 22 TD’s). OL/DL Leo Guenther (64 tackles, 2 sacks) and RB/LB Cael Wichman are other top holdovers for the Trojans
4. Boys Town (6-4) – The Cowboys returned to the postseason after missing out in 2020. OL/DL Isaiah Pompey and WR/DB Isaiah Morris (5 INT’s in 2021), a preseason all-stater, are the top returning prospects for Boys Town.
5. Fort Calhoun (7-3) – Fort Calhoun is coming off season where it made the playoffs for the first time since 2014 with Austin Weichert and junior Greyson Bouwman the top returnees
6. Omaha Concordia (0-9) – With most of its productive graduating, it will be a rebuilding year for Omaha Concordia. With a new head coach place, Concordia is a program hoping to start an upward trajectory.

District C1-2
1. Auburn (7-3) – Preseason No. 10
2. Nebraska City (6-3) – Nebraska City has a Preseason All-State choice in RB Bayler Poston (1,248 rushing yards, 17 TD’s) and have a legitimate chance to snap a streak of 18 seasons without the making the playoffs. The Pioneers will be boosted on defense by DL Gavin Bailey (60 tackles, 6 TFL). Junior DB’s Austin Sterling and Chris Blum both swiped two passes a year ago.
3. Raymond Central (3-6) – Another quarterback with some success in Class C-1 is Rylan Stover (1,361 passing yards, 15 TD’s), who is back to lead the Mustangs yet again. RB/LB Mason Kreikemeier (63 tackles, 3 TFL) and Colby Den Hartog (61 tackles, 3 TFL, INT) are the top holdovers on defense for Raymond Central. The Mustangs are searching for their first berth in the playoffs since 2013 and have not won a playoff game since 2000.
4. Lincoln Christian (3-6) – With a quarterback battle going into fall camp, Lincoln Christian will need build momentum early on. RB/DB Luke Penrod is the top holdover for the Crusaders. Lincoln Christian will be looking to get back into the postseason frame after making it there in 2020.
5. Syracuse (0-9)- The Rockets played an extremely young roster a year ago, which will pay off in the long run. RB Elliot Kuhr and Barret Brandt look to be the top holdovers for Syracuse, who are searching for its first playoff berth since 2018.
6. Falls City (1-8) – Looking for make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, the Tigers feature OL/DL Jon Craig (6’2/295). Falls City will need to improve on defense after allowing 47.7 points per game a year ago.

District C1-3
1. Columbus Lakeview (11-2) – Preseason No. 6
2. Wahoo (7-4) – Preseason No. 9
3. Columbus Scotus (9-2) – The three-time state champion will return QB Trenton Cielocha (1,517 passing yards, 60% completions) to lead the offense. The Shamrocks will need to see newcomers gel in a hurry for team that easily could have been in the Preseason Top 10.
4. Douglas County West (5-4) – With only one playoff appearance in school history coming in 2007, the Falcons barely missed out a year ago. OL/DL Cael Dembinksi (6’5/245) will be the leader for Douglas County West, while junior WR/DB Ryker Wohlers is a prospect to watch for the Falcons.
5. Arlington (4-5) – Searching for its first playoff berth since 2018, Arlington features OL/DL Weston Wollberg (6’6/205) and OLDL Kyle Quinn (40 tackles) as the top returnees. Nearly all of Arlington’s offensive production has departed after averaging 19.1 points per game.
6. Schuyler (0-9) – Coming off a season where it scored 15 total points, Schuyler is a program looking for something to go its way. Two-time state champions in Class B, the program is searching for its first playoff berth since 2008. Experience will be gained in 2022, which can be put to good use if the players buy in.

District C1-4
1. Pierce (11-2) – Preseason No. 2
2. Boone Central (9-2) – Preseason No. 4
3. Wayne (5-5) – A really difficult schedule derailed the Blue Devils a year ago, with this year’s slate being similar. DL/LB Daniel Judd (6’4/220) and WR/DB Alex Phelps are key returnees to watch for Wayne, who will attempt to qualify for the postseason for the fourth consecutive season while looking for the first playoff victory since 2019.
4. West Point-Beemer (3-6) – After struggling through a brutal schedule a year ago, the Cadets won their final two games of the season to enter the offseason with some momentum. RB Keaton Persson (548 rushing, 8 TD’s) is the leader on offense.
5. O’Neill (1-8) – The Eagles took some lumps a year ago while undergoing a rebuilding effort relying on young players. It should pay off for O’Neill, who return QB Landon Clausen (1,433 total yards, 14 TD’s) with OL/DL Salvador Rodriguez (53 tackles) anchoring the lines.

District C1-5
1. Aurora (11-2) – Preseason No. 1
2. Adams Central (6-4) – Preseason No. 7
3. St. Paul (5-4) – Another program who took a step backwards in 2021 after winning multiple playoff games in both 2019 and 2020, the Wildcats lost most of its production from a year ago. OL/DL Quade Peterson (53 tackles, 10 TFL) is the leading holdover and is joined by DB Bryce Knapp (4 INT’s). Junior OL/DL Ryker Goettsche (42 tackles, 8 TFL) is one to watch for St. Paul.
4. Central City (3-6) – Offense was not the issue in 2021 for the Bison after averaging 29.4 points per game, but have huge shoes to fill at QB. WR Ashton Gragg (729 receiving, 8 TD’s) and junior Ayden Zikmund (520 receiving, 4 TD’s) lead a talented receiving corps. If there is production at QB, Central City could be a dangerous team once again.
5. Fairbury (1-8) – The district is a tough draw for the Jeffs, who are looking to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Fairbury has solid production returning on offense, led by QB Jax Biehl (1,239 passing, 9 TD’s) and WR/DB James Olds (732 receiving, 10 TD’s). This is a team that could be pesky to district favorites.

District C1-6
1 Cozad (5-4) – In a wide open District C1-6 race with no clear cut favorite, it might be time for Cozad to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. LB Eli Boryca (79 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks), RB/LB Tag Sassali (49 tackles), and WR/DB Cord Shytka (320 receiving, 4 TD’s) will be the leaders for the Haymakers.
2. Minden (5-4) – The Whippets have experience at QB in Carter Harsin (1,282 total yards, 12 TD’s), which should bode well. Junior TE/DL Brycen Schwenka (6’4/210; 33 tackles, 5.5 TFL) is a prospect to watch in the recruiting world, while junior Austin Lutkemeier (48 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks) should help the defense. Minden is in search of its first playoff berth since 2013.
3. Holdrege (2-7) – With QB Jackson Heinrichs (1,560 total yards, 12 TD’s) coming back, a push for a return to the postseason after a one-year absence is a possibility. WR/DB Cruz Kirwan (103 tackles, 5 TFL) and sophomore Wyatt Pfeifer (60 tackles, 2 TFL) will lead the defense.
4. Broken Bow (7-3) – Defensively, Broken Bow as tough to crack a year ago allowing just 12.6 points per game. RB/DB Connor Wells, WR/DB Nathan Reynolds, and OL/DL Garrett Piper are expected to be the leaders for Broken Bow.
5. Gothenburg (3-6) – Gothenburg won three of its last four games to end the 2021 campaign with some momentum. Expect to see QB/DB Wes Geiken step up as the leader for the Swedes.

District C1-7
1. Chadron (9-1) – Preseason No. 8
2. McCook (4-6 in Class B) – After qualifying for the playoffs in 22 straight seasons, two-time Class B champion and five-time runner-up McCook drops to C-1. Expect QB/DB and college prospect Adam Dugger (1,051 total yards, 14 TD’s) and Jacob Gomez-Wilson (797 rushing, 5 TD’s) to lead the Bison offensively. LB Alex Anthony (89 tackles) is the defensive leader.
3. Ogallala (5-4) – There is a lot to like about Ogallala, who are searching for their first playoff appearance since 2019. Junior QB Henry Caskey (1,239 total yards, 9 TD’s) is a potential diamond in the rough. TE/DL Race McClure (61 tackles, 6 sacks) is expected to be the leader on defense for Ogallala.
4. Sidney (2-7) – A talented junior class should boost the Red Raiders as they search for a postseason berth for the first time since 2018. OL/DL McGuire Rolls (52 tackles, 5 TFL) and RB/DB Luke Holly (423 rushing, 3 TD’s) will benefit from their previous experience for Sidney.
5. Alliance (0-9 in Class B) – Also down from Class B is Alliance, who have missed out on postseason festivities since 2019. The Bulldogs averaged 7.8 points per game a year ago and will hope to see an improved offense. OL/DL Angel Acosta is the top holdover for Alliance, while the Bulldogs are expecting junior QB Landon Crowe (509 passing, 3 TD’s) to show progress.

2021 Class C-1 Playoff Results

First Round
Ashland-Greenwood 23, Adams Central 12
Pierce 27, Broken Bow 14
Battle Creek 28, Chadron 20
Columbus Scotus 35, Fort Calhoun 16
Boone Central 42, Wayne 35
Columbus Lakeview 42, Milford 20
Wahoo 24, Auburn 13
Kearney Catholic 26, Boys Town 0
Quarterfinals
Pierce 35, Ashland-Greenwood 28
Battle Creek 33, Columbus Scotus 21
Columbus Lakeview 23, Boone Central 20
Kearney Catholic 33, Wahoo 7
Semifinals
Pierce 21, Battle Creek 0
Columbus Lakeview 31, Kearney Catholic 21
Championship Final
Columbus Lakeview 37, Pierce 25