2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: Preseason Class C-2 Top 10 | Preseason Class C-2 All-State

The Top 10

  1. Norfolk Catholic (10-2 – Lost in C-2 Championship Game) – With two returning All-State players back from a state finalist a year ago, the 10-time state champion appears ready to make a run at winning its first title since 2017. RB Karter Kerman (1,822 rushing, 25 TD’s) and North Dakota State DL pledge Kade Pieper (51 tackles, 7 sacks) will lead the effort for the Knights. OL/DL Caden Arens is a valuable two-way lineman for Norfolk Catholic, with junior DL Nolan Fennessy (6’4/230) one to watch.
  2. Ord (10-2 – Lost in C-2 Semifinals) – Winners in 2020, Ord made a run to the semifinals even after suffering losses to graduation. QB/DB Dylan Hulbert (884 passing, 15 TD’s; 1,244 rushing, 22 TD’s; 46 tackles, 3 INT’s), OL/DL Bridger Rice (6’3/260), and OL/LB Ryan Gabriel (82 tackles, 11 TFL) are the leaders for the Chanticleers.
  3. Fremont Bergan (13-0 – Class C-2 State Champions) – After winning its first state title since 1979, Fremont Bergan will be looking to do everything it can to repeat. Oklahoma TE pledge Kade McIntyre (873 receiving, 14 TD’s) is the main man for the Knights, while QB/DB Cooper Weitzel (45 tackles, 4 INT’s) is another prospect of note.
  4. Battle Creek (8-3 – Lost in Class C-1 Quarterfinals) – Down from C-1 against some formidable opposition, Battle Creek returns junior All-State LB Trent Uhlir (813 rushing yards, 8 TD’s; 53 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT’s). Preseason All-State honoree Elijah Hintz (6’5/250) will anchor the offensive and defensive lines for Battle Creek, with WR/DB Boden Obst emerging as another leader.
  5. Hastings St. Cecilia (9-2 – Lost in C-2 Quarterfinals) – With QB Carson Kudlacek (1,449 passing, 14 TD’s; 598 rushing yards, 13 TD’s) and WR Cooper Butler (673 receiving yards, 11 TD’s) coming back, the Bluehawks are off to a good start. Junior LB Dawson Kissinger (110 tackles, 9 TFL) and Braden Rutt (90 tackles, 12 TFL) are the top returnees on defense. (KSNB Report)
  6. Kearney Catholic (11-1 – Lost in C-1 Semifinals) – Down to C-2 after a run to the C-1 semifinals a year ago, Junior Carson Murphy (24 tackles, 5 INT’s) takes over at QB for the Stars. LB Tyson Redinger (71 tackles) and junior Grant Christner join Murphy as the top holdovers on defense.
  7. Wilber-Clatonia (7-5 – Lost in C-2 Semifinals) – After avenging a loss to Yutan, Wilbur-Clatonia made a run to the state semifinals a year ago. QB Coy Rosentreader has three years of experience with a high success rate. Tyson Kreshel is one of the top returnees on defense for the Wolverines
  8. Hartington Cedar Catholic (8-3 -Lost in C-2 Quarterfinals) – After losing out in the state quarterfinals in back-to-back years, the three-time state champion will be looking to take a step further. WR/DB Grant Arens (456 receiving yards, 7 TD’s) is coming off a season where he was an All-State honoree and is joined by OL/DL Jay Steffen.
  9. Lincoln Lutheran (8-3 – Lost in C-2 Quarterfinals) – A team with some impressive victories, Lincoln Lutheran won a playoff game for the first time since 2017 last season. QB/LB Garret Hoefs (427 passing yards, 5 TD’s; 439 rushing yards, 5 TD’s; 89 tackles, 3 TFL, INT) and OL/DL Jackson Masek (73 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks) will be the leaders. (KLKN Report)
  10. Yutan (8-2 – Lost in C-2 First Round) – After surviving a tough schedule relatively unscathed a year ago, Yutan was stopped by upstart Wilbur-Clatonia in the first round by one point. The 2017 state champions feature RB/LB Zach Krajicek (89 tackles, 6 TFL) and junior DL Derek Wacker (68 tackles, 4 TFL).

Teams To Watch: Centennial (5-5), David City Aquinas (8-3), Milford (8-2), Mitchell (6-3), Oakland-Craig (5-5), Wahoo Neumann (5-5)

2022 Nebraska HS Football Preview: Class C-2 District Breakdown

District C2-1
1. Wilber-Clatonia (7-5) – Preseason No. 7
2. Lincoln Lutheran (8-3) – Preseason No. 9
3. Utica Centennial (5-5) – State champions in 2018, Centennial are led by QB/DB Maj Nisly (2,031 total yards, 18 total TD’s). Last season was a return to the postseason after a one-year absence.
4. Milford (8-2 in Class C-1) – After a highly successful season in Class C-1 a year ago, Milford have been depleted by graduation. Last season snapped a two-year playoff drought for the two-time state champions.
5. Malcolm (4-5 in Class C-1) – Three of its five losses came by seven points or less a year ago, all coming to playoff teams. Hayden Frank (6’2/195) returns at QB for the Clippers, who are searching for their first playoff appearance since 2014.
6. Tri County (5-4 in Eight Man-1) – Junior QB Dusty Kapke (1,484 total yards, 24 total TD’s) leads the Trojans back into 11-man for the first time since 2015.

District C2-2
1. Yutan (8-2) – Preseason No. 10
2. David City Aquinas (8-3) – Eight-time state champion Aquinas was able to win a playoff game a year ago for the 14th consecutive season. Despite the return of Preseason All-State LB A.J. Oltmer, the Monarchs lost most of its production due to graduation. An over/under on the amount of times Aquinas will throw the ball per game this season should be set to 2 1/2.
3. Wahoo Neumann (5-5) – Three-time state champions, the Cavaliers have qualified for the playoffs in seven straight seasons but are searching for their first playoff win since 2018. WR Trenton Barry (544 receiving yards, 3 TD’s; 94 tackles, 4 TFL) and junior Trent Moudry (47 tackles, 5 TFL) are the top holdovers for Bishop Neumann.
4. Louisville (3-6 in Class C-1) – Juniors Sam Luellen (71 tackles, 2 TFL) and Cody Hiatt (40 tackles, INT) are the leading holdovers for a team that is searching to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and has two playoff wins in school history.
5. David City (1-8) – Searching for its first playoff appearance since 2011, the Scouts feature OL/DL Barrett Andel (54 tackles, INT) and TE/DL Caden Denker (239 receiving yards, TD) as the top holdovers.

District C2-3
1. Fremont Bergan (13-0) – Preseason No. 3
2. Oakland-Craig (5-5) – State champions in 2019, the Knights return Division II TE/DL pledge Grant Seagren (6’7/250) and Class C-2 All-State junior DL J.T. Brands (88 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks). Keep a serious eye out for sophomore QB Braylon Anderson (6’3/190), who already saw some time in 2021.
3. Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (4-5 in Class C-1) – After qualifying for the postseason in 2020, the Raiders just missed out a year ago. Down to C-2 this season, LVSS features junior Braylon Wobken (60 tackles, 5 TFL). Most of its production from last season has been lost due to graduation.
4. North Bend Central (1-8 in Class C-1) – With six playoff appearances and missing out since 2019, the Tigers will be looking for brighter days ahead as it drops to C-2. Junior Kyler Hellbusch (504 rushing, 4 TD’s) may take over at QB with LB Gavin Kirschenmann (41 tackles, 4 TFL) the leading returnee on defense.
5. Tekamah-Herman (2-7) – Searching for its first playoff appearance since 2013, Tekamah-Herman returns junior WR/DB Reece Williams (52 tackles) and Austin Breckenridge (51 tackles, 5 TFL).

District C2-4
1. Norfolk Catholic (10-2) – Preseason No. 1
2. Battle Creek (8-4 in Class C-1) – Preseason No. 4
3. Hartington Cedar Catholic (8-3) – Preseason No. 8
4. Ponca (3-6) – Searching for its first playoff berth since 2017, junior Dalton Lamprecht should emerge as the leader. The schedule once again will be brutal.
5. West Holt (4-5 in Eight Man-1) – Coming off a playoff appearance, West Holt is up from Eight Man. Junior Caleb Davis and 6’5 sophomore QB Lincoln Konrad are the top holdovers for the Huskies.

District C2-5
1. Hastings St. Cecilia (10-2) – Preseason No. 6
2. Grand Island Central Catholic (3-6) – The Crusaders have one playoff appearance since winning a playoff game in 2014. LB Ben Alberts (72 tackles, 9 TFL) and junior LB Connor Johnson (71 tackles, 10 TFL) are the top holdovers.
3. Fillmore Central (2-7 in Class C-1) – Searching for its first playoff berth since 2014, Fillmore Central is down from C-1. QB/DB Keegan Theobald (60 tackles, INT) is the top returnee and will be joined by Jayden Wolf.
4. Wood River (1-8 in Class C-1) – Looking for their first playoff appearance since 2008, the Eagles have split with Shelton in the offseason. WR/DB Caleb Paulk (442 receiving, 4 TD’s; 72 tackles, 3 INT’s) joins Laramie Frear (42 tackles, 3 TFL) as the top returnees.
5. Doniphan-Trumbull (3-6) – Champions in 2013, Doniphan-Trumbull has missed out on the postseason in back-to-back seasons. Junior QB Jayden Williams (1,483 total yards, 9 total TD’s) is back to run the offense for the Cardinals.

District C2-6
1. Ord (10-2) – Preseason No. 2
2. Kearney Catholic (11-1 in Class C-1) – Preseason No. 7
3. Centura (5-4) – After back-to-back seasons with playoff qualification, Centura narrowly missed out a year ago. RB Quentin Morris (737 rushing, 10 TD’s) is the leading holdover, with LB Noah Melgoza (53 tackles, 5 TFL) the leader on defense.
4. Gibbon (4-5) – The Buffaloes are looking to reach the postseason for the first time since 2015. RB/DB Jesus Hernandez (678 rushing, 5 TD’s) is the leading returnee on offense, while junior Kreyton Rockfeller (72 tackles) will lead the defense.
5. Amherst (3-6 in Eight Man-1) – Coming of two straight playoff appearances, Amherst is up from Eight Man. Brayton Bandel is back at QB for the Broncos, while Reilly Fisher is one of the top returnees on defense.

District C2-7
1. Mitchell (6-3 in Class C-1) – Down from C-1, Mitchell has plenty of options returning in 2022 as it searches for its first playoff berth since 2020. OL/DL Tucker Thomas, RB/LB Hayden Umble (500 rushing, 7 TD’s), and junior Cael Peters (90 tackles, 2 INT’s) are the top players back off a team that can the ability to do some damage.
2. Gordon-Rushville (6-4) – Coming off its first playoff berth since 2011, the Mustangs should figure in the playoff race once again. QB Carter Anderson (1,627 total yards, 13 total TD’s) is back to run the offense, while Donovan Fillmore (843 rushing, 13 TD’s) is another viable threat.
3. Chase County (3-6) – Missing out on the playoffs since 2019, the Longhorns return WR/DB Kade Anderson. Chase County won two of its last three games to enter the offseason with some momentum.
4. Valentine (1-7) – QB Ashton Lurz (702 total yards, 9 TD’s) is back to run the offense for the Badgers, who are looking for their first playoff appearance since 2019. LB Logan Harp (51 tackles) is back to lead the defense.
5. Hershey (0-9) – Entering the season with an 18-game losing streak and looking for its first playoff appearance since 2017, the Panthers have a major bright spot in junior QB Cooper Hill (1,301 passing, 8 TD’s). Expect to see improvement from an offense that averaged 10 points per game.

2021 Class C-2 Playoff Recap

Class C2
First Round
Norfolk Catholic 35, Crofton 6
Hartington Cedar Catholic 20, North Platte St. Patrick’s 7
Hastings St. Cecilia 21, Wahoo Neumann 14
Wilber-Clatonia 27, Yutan 26
Ord 62, Centennial 21
Lincoln Lutheran 31, Gordon-Rushville 15
David City Aquinas 37, Sutton 15
Fremont Bergan 45, Oakland-Craig 20
Quarterfinals
Norfolk Catholic 20, Hartington Cedar Catholic 13
Wilber-Clatonia 32, Hastings St. Cecilia 13
Ord 42, Lincoln Lutheran 7
Fremont Bergan 38, David City Aquinas 7
Semifinals
Norfolk Catholic 35, Wilber-Clatonia 12
Fremont Bergan 20, Ord 0
Championship Final
Fremont Bergan 49, Norfolk Catholic 20