2023 Class A Preseason Top 10: The Why

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Rewritten to correct WordPress errors on 8/13/2023

Class A Preseason Top 10

1. Omaha Westside (12-1, Class A State Champions)
– Make no mistake — state championship trophies have become the standard at Omaha Westside. State champions in 2020 and again last season, Westside is in search for its fifth straight appearance in the state title game. Westside has a 44-5 record over the past four seasons. To be the man, you have to beat the man. The man in Nebraska high school football at the moment is quarterback Anthony Rezac. Notre Dame commit Teddy Rezac, Power 5 prospect Caleb Benning, junior national Top 150 linebacker Christian Jones, and junior speedster Keynan Cotton are your headliners. There are not many weaknesses, but if you are looking too hard there are some questions on the offensive line while the kicker, punter, and long snapper will all be newcomers.

2. Bellevue West (7-4, Class A Quarterfinalist)
– Without a doubt, Bellevue West will be worth the price of admission. Forty years removed from the infamous Nebraska football 1983 Scoring Explosion posters, you could just as easily put the three Nebraska commits on a modern version of the poster. Daniel Kaelin, Isaiah McMorris, and Dae’Vonn Hall are ready to light up scoreboards near you after averaging over 40 points per game last season. Jacob Arop leads an experienced group of linemen for the Thunderbirds. The defense led by defensive back Asher Jenkins should be much improved, but just how much will determine how high Bellevue West will fly in 2023. Pay particular attention to an outstanding sophomore class who appear ready to provide a boost to the Thunderbirds.

3. Elkhorn South (10-1, Class A Quarterfinalist)
– After rolling through the regular season in dominating fashion, the Storm ran into a buzzsaw in Creighton Prep in the Class A quarterfinals. It became an old-fashioned slugfest featuring two outstanding lines on both sides of the ball by both teams, with Elkhorn South falling just short. The fronts will be good once again in 2023, but could lead to a bright future for the Storm. There are some juniors available who could give the Storm a massive boost. Holy Cross pledge Carson Rauner is the leader on offense, while Nebraska commit Ashton Murphy, Northern Illinois pledge Ben Gustafson, and Division II commit Henry Prochazka are part of an outstanding senior class of holdovers. The future is bright for the Storm with some juniors who are ready to step up in quick fashion. .

4. Omaha North (6-4, Class A First Round)
– With arguably the best high school football coach in the state at the helm in Larry Martin, Omaha North proudly flies the flag of success in Omaha Public Schools at the moment. Junior Sebastian Circo is a FBS prospect at quarterback with a very good receiver room available. Defensive back Donovan Jones joins junior All-State lineman Tyson Terry as verbal commits to Nebraska. DeAndre Harper and S’Marious Henderson will be forces to be reckoned with up front for the Vikings. Like many others around the metro, a talented sophomore class will boost what should be an improved unit in 2023. Champ Davis and B.J. Louis are two of the most notable sophomores returning on a list that will expand before seasons end.

5. Millard South (6-5, Class A Quarterfinalist)
– Saying Millard South’s record was deceiving last season is a massive understatement. For extremely valid reasons, inconsistency at quarterback resulted in some close losses to playoff teams. But in the process, the Patriots gained valuable experience. Sophomore Jett Thomalla is the real deal at quarterback, while fellow sophomore wide receiver Amarion Jackson has huge recruiting potential. Millard South has one of the top defensive fronts in the state with South Dakota State pledge JR Lecuona, Plano (TX) East move-in Aidan Miller, and junior Adam Pugh leading the notables. This is a team that could get hot and be an extremely difficult task in the postseason.

6. Lincoln Southeast (5-5, Class A First Round)
– The logic behind what may seem like lofty praise is quite simple. If Southeast can manage a tricky District A-6, there is a chance the rest of Lincoln somewhat levels out. This is a team that seems like it could take advantage. In Lincoln, however, you really never know. Southwest’s emergence in 2022 made a lot of sense. Southeast could find itself in a similar position in 2023. The biggest issue with that will be within District A-6. Owen Baxter is more than capable of making plays for the Knights, while junior Cash Buettenback is basically a returning starter in the backfield with plenty of experience on both sides of the ball. Cooper Johnson leads the way up front, while Donald DeFrand Jr. comes over from Lincoln High to boost the secondary.

7. Kearney (7-3, Class A First Round)
– Kearney has the undivided attention of high school football fans in Omaha and Lincoln. After all, Kearney was the last school from outside of the Omaha or Lincoln areas to win a Class A state championship (2006). A statement-making road win at Bellevue West opened the eyes of some, but then again there were some who were not all that surprised. The stars appear to be in the process of aligning for the Bearcats. A preseason quarterback battle between Lincoln Phillips and Griffin Novacek will benefit the Bearcats in the long run. Zander Reuling and Karter Lee lead an outstanding receiving corps. Linebacker Sawyer Schilke leads a very strong junior class who will need to be monitored in recruiting.

8. Millard North (4-5, Missed Playoffs)
– Despite averaging 32 points per game, a tricky district derailed Millard North’s push for the playoffs. A two-year absence from postseason play will not sit well with head coach Fred Petito, now in his 40th season in charge of the five-time Class A state champions. Evan Hansen gives the Mustangs capable hands at quarterback with the ability to hit you over the top with his arm. The offensive and defensive fronts will be good, while Caden VerMaas (committed to Nebraska) and Pierce Mooberry lead a very talented junior class for the Mustangs. It would be a huge surprise if Millard North were to miss out on the playoffs in 2023.

9. Gretna (12-1, Class A Runner-Up)
– Gretna has earned its right to be one of the most feared programs in the state, and for good reason. Alex Wilcoxson will be fine at quarterback for the Dragons, but the defending state runner-up lost more than just Zane Flores to Oklahoma State. Gretna’s strength will be up front with juniors Kalvin Janssen and Griffin Goldman top holdovers blocking for running back Isaiah Weber, while Alex Runge and Joey Vieth could be in line for a big season for the Dragons. The roster is still in very good shape with the split with Gretna East not affecting many holdovers. There are tricky games from outside of the district slate that will test the Dragons.

10. Papillion-La Vista (4-6, Class A First Round)
– If you look closely, Papillion-La Vista was unlucky to finish below .500 while making a postseason appearance a year ago. If the Monarchs are able to reverse fortune in close games, another push for the postseason is imminent. Tavien Pirtle is a boost at quarterback, while Payton Prestito leads a talented backfield. Pittsburgh commit Eric Ingwerson is the headliner as a intriguing red zone option due to his frame while being a standout defensive end. Experience at quarterback, a deep backfield, a talented offensive line, and a solid defense make the Monarchs worthy of sneaking into the Top 10. Two linemen to watch are junior Garin Maley and sophomore Landon Von Seggern.

Teams To Watch

Grand Island (9-3, Class A Semifinals) – A team that has a legitimate complaint to be on the outside looking in for the preseason Top 10, the Islanders lost some key contributors to graduation. The cupboard is not bare, however, which will lead to another strong postseason push for the Islanders. Caleb Richardson, offensive lineman Reid Kelly, and linebacker Justyce Hostetler are the Islanders to watch. A sophomore to watch for the future is running back Nelsyn Wheeler.

Lincoln East (5-5, Class A First Round) – With one of the tougher schedules in the state, the Spartans made its way to the playoffs. An eight-point loss to Kearney in the season opener and a one-point loss to eventual quarterfinalist Millard South were hard to swallow. Junior Jeter Worthley, a Michigan baseball commit, returns as one of the most highly productive signal callers in the state. Running back/linebacker Dash Bauman is committed to Wyoming, while defensive end Caden Cetak also returns for the Spartans.

Lincoln North Star (4-5, Missed Playoffs) – With only four playoff teams from 2022 on its schedule, the Navigators are in good position to make a run at the postseason for the first time since 2020. Expect to see a much improved offense with multiple options at quarterback with either Creighton Prep transfer Dead Donaldson or junior Beaudree Ball. Jayden Potter and Xavier Von Busch lead a solid front for the Navigators. Carter Dougherty and junior Cameron Bretting lead the linebacking corps.

Millard West (6-4, Class A First Round) – Millard West returned to the postseason after a one-year absence, losing out in the first round in a rematch with Lincoln Southwest. Brody Peterson returns at quarterback, while Bobby Joseph gives the Wildcats a versatile option out of the backfield. Jackson Williams is one of the top receiving prospects in the state of Nebraska. Tyler Thaden and Wyatt Goodlett. Dale Hansen and Trey Mittlestedt are expected to lead the defense. The Wildcats will be more than capable of mixing it up with the likes of Lincoln Southeast and Millard North in district play.

Omaha Central (1-8, Missed Playoffs) – A new head coach along with an influx of talent have people talking. If the offensive front develops and the defense plays up to expectations, the Eagles could play their way into the postseason for the first time since 2015. Illinois pledge Caleb Pyfrom is the top offensive line prospect in the state of Nebraska. Transfer linebacker Kevon Newsome is one of the top prospects in the metro on defense. Along with returning starter B.J. Newsome at quarterback, other sophomores to watch are DaShawn Prince and Avry Harris.

Omaha Creighton Prep (8-4, Class A Semifinalist) – Yes. This looks as absurd as it was to write. Creighton Prep is about as automatic for the Top 10 as anybody in state history. The Junior Jays will be young and tested early with a brutal schedule. Tony Coniglio gives Creighton Prep steady hands at quarterback , while Iowa pledge Michael Burt is the headliner for the Junior Jays . Expect to see more of a passing game this season from Creighton Prep. Zac McLeay will lead the defense, while a sophomore to watch is defensive lineman Aubrey Ross Jr. In November, this may be an entirely different animal.

Papillion-La Vista South (6-4, Class A First Round) – The original thought process behind leaving the Titans out was because the defense lost almost everybody. Offensively, Sam Schuler provides a steady hand at quarterback as an accurate threat in the passing game. Running back Kylan Connor and sophomore Derek Jones are prospects to watch out of the backfield, as is junior wide receiver Bryson Bahl. Austin Hurt and junior Aiden Whitted provide beef up front for the Titans. If its defense can improve on allowing 24.5 points per game, the Titans will be in good shape.