Class A State Championship Game
Omaha Westside (11-1) vs. Gretna (12-0)
Monday, November 21 at 7:15 p.m.
Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, NE
TV: Nebraska Public Media (Over-the-air: Check Local Listings)
Last Meeting: 2021 Class A State Championship (Gretna, 7-3)
Weather: Projected high of 48 in Lincoln on Monday
Nebraska HS Football State Championship Game Schedule
NSAA Home State Championship Information

Omaha Westside (11-1)
NEBHSFB Rank: 3
State Championships: 1981, 1982, 2020
Top 10 Wins: Creighton Prep, Grand Island (x2), Bellevue West, Kearney, Millard South, Lincoln Southwest
Road to Lincoln: Defeated Papillion-La Vista, 59-21; Defeated Lincoln Southwest, 42-28; Defeated Grand Island, 38-7
Off Avg. 41.8 | Def. Avg. 18.3
Off. Yards: 357.2 | Rushing: 202.3 | Passing: 154.9
– Omaha Westside is looking for its first state title win in Memorial Stadium. This season’s appearance in the state title game will be its fourth in a row with Westside’s 2020 title win coming on home soil due to COVID-19. The preseason No. 1 by almost everybody, Westside will relish the chance to getting back at Gretna for last season’s state title game defeat. Anthony Rezac has been as productive as his counterpart this season, already over 1,000 yards rushing and passing. Jaylen Lloyd is the gamebreaking talent that could be the difference this time around for Westside. The role of elite level junior Caleb Benning will also be crucial after he has missed a significant amount of time due to injury. If he can go at near 100 percent, Westside might be in business. Teams have been successful moving the football against Westside’s defense at times this season. The defending runner-up also seems to have a switch to hit a higher level in the second half and has done so in every game but one this season.

Notables
Anthony Rezac | 6’3/185 | QB (Jr.) – 1,898 passing yards, 17 TD’s; 1,040 rushing yards, 18 TD’s
Jahmez Ross | 5’10/185 | RB (Jr.) – 635 rushing yards, 9 TD’s; 161 receiving yards, 2 TD’s
Curt Cubrich | 5’10/175 | RB/LB – 540 rushing yards, 9 TD’s; 99 receiving yards, TD
Jaylen Lloyd | 5’10/165 | WR – 44 receptions, 784 yards, 5 TD’s
Broc Regner | 6’5/285 | OT (Jr.) – Emerging offensive lineman for Westside
Teddy Rezac | WR/DB | 6’3/185 (Jr.) – 383 receiving yards, 3 TD’s; 2 INT’s
Jonquel Osler | DL | 6’0/225 (Jr.) – Disruptive up front for Westside defense
Tristan Alvano | 6’2/185 | K – 11/15 FG (57 Long), 66/68 PAT
Caleb Benning | 5’11/175 | WR/DB (Jr.) – Recovering from injury; elite level prospect; 15.2 yards/punt return in 3 games

Gretna Dragons (12-0)
NEBHSFB Rank: 1
State Championships: 2021 (Vacated)
Top 10 Wins: Creighton Prep (x2), Millard South, Bellevue West (x2), Papillion-La Vista South
Road to Lincoln: Defeated Lincoln Southeast, 27-24; Defeated Bellevue West, 35-23; Defeated Creighton Prep, 36-14
Off Avg. 42.2 | Def. Avg. 16.3
Off. Yards: 390.2 | Rushing: 158.8 | Passing: 231.3
– Riding an 18-game winning streak, Gretna will want to leave no doubt about its title run in 2021. Led by Oklahoma State commit and Nebraska’s all-time leading passer in Zane Flores, anything is possible for the Dragons. The running game is solid, as is the offensive line led by FBS prospect Mason Goldman (6’6/260). The pool of wide receivers are deep and with some length, led by 6’3/200 option Caleb Schnell. The receiving corps has been solid even without Joe Roll. Its defense that stepped up as the playoffs went deeper a year ago can also be stellar, led by Nebraska preferred walk-on recruit Korver Demma. Gretna’s defensive backfield is well tested, with junior Alex Wilcoxson patrolling the secondary. Patience is a virtue against its defense.

Notables
Zane Flores | 6’3/200 | QB – Oklahoma State commit; 2,703 passing yards, 28 TD’s; 210 rushing yards, 9 TD’s
Mason Goldman | 6’6/260 | OL/DL – FBS prospect
Griffin Goldman | 6’2/245 | OL (Soph.) – Emerging 2025 prospect
Alex Wilcoxson | 6’0/170 | QB/DB (Jr.) -24 tackles, 5 INT’s
Tyson Boganowski | 5’10/170 | WR – 61 receptions, 568 yards, 6 TD’s
Caleb Schnell | 6’3/200 | WR – 50 receptions, 786 yards, 5 TD’s
Korver Demma | 6’2/225 | LB – Nebraska walk-on commit; 68 tackles, 17 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 INT’s
Blayke Moore | 6’2/200 | WR/DB – 457 receiving yards, 8 TD’s; 61 tackles, 3 INT’s
Ethan Stuhr | 6’2/200 | LB – 90 tackles, 15 TFL

Prediction: Omaha Westside, 20-17

  • It was a difficult decision in the preseason as well, as not much separates these two teams. Nothing has changed in that regard in the last 12 months. Omaha Westside is the choice because on video evidence over the past few weeks in the playoffs, Gretna’s offense doesn’t seem to be firing entirely on all cylinders. It gets the job done without a doubt, but it was a little more explosive at the beginning of the season. Perhaps that is by design. Omaha Westside has been more impressive recently, which may not mean much. This is about as close to a push as you are going to get. Hopefully fans will brave the chilly temperatures (which are supposed to improve by Monday) to witness this potential all-timer. Quarterbacks like Zane Flores don’t grow on trees in these parts, so this is your last chance to witness him play at the high school level before he moves on to greener pastures at Oklahoma State. Westside’s kicking game is an advantage, though Gretna is also solid on special teams.