Rolling to a 6-0 start with a big game coming with No. 5 Kearney in Week 7, Omaha Westside is searching for back-to-back Class A state championships and its third state title in five seasons.

It would take an expert to dictate whether or not Omaha Westside is one of the best ever. This is only the second season back in the state after covering high school football in Oklahoma and Texas, so it would be comparing 2023 Omaha Westside to the 2022 team and a bunch of teams in the 1980’s through mid 1990’s.

Can Millard South push Omaha Westside? How good is Kearney at 6-0? Has anybody actually written off Bellevue West?

Class A Breakdown
NSAA Playoff Points

  1. Omaha Westside (6-0) – Led by the best high school football player in the state of Nebraska, Omaha Westside is the clear favorite in Class A. QB Anthony Rezac (1,095 passing yards, 74.4%, 16 TD’s, 1 INT; 499 rushing yards, 9 TD’s) leads the offense with Jahmez Ross (653 rushing, 7 TD’s) the top option out of the backfield. Junior Keynan Cotton (324 receiving yards, 5 TD’s) has taken a huge step and elite level senior Caleb Benning (243 receiving, 5 TD’s) have been stellar in the passing game. Senior LB Beau Ryan (40 tackles, 9 TFL) and national Top 150 junior Christian Jones (28 tackles, 6 TFL) are among the standouts on a defense allowing 4.3 points per game. This is a football team who would be able to go toe-to-toe with like enrollments in Texas based off the eye test. Just calling it as I see it, but we will find out for sure over the next two weeks.
  2. Millard South (6-0) -Many casual observers around the state had Millard South in the conversation due to some outstanding performances in the offseason. To its credit, Millard South has exceeded lofty expectations. Sophomore QB Jett Thomalla (1,548 passing yards, 16 TD’s, 2 INT’s) has been fantastic, while sophomore RB Gabe Prucha (431 rushing yards, 4 TD’s) has settled in nicely. Sophomore WR Amarion Jackson (28 receptions, 559 yards, 9 TD’s) is beginning to show his major college potential. Max Gray anchors the offensive line. Dallas area move-in Aidan Miller (41 tackles, 11.5 TFL) has been as-advertised up front, while South Dakota State pledge JR Lecuona (41 tackles, 8.5 TFL) and junior Dylan Kuhl (22 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 INT’s) have been active for the Patriots. It is hard to decipher which is the best defensive line in the state between Omaha Westside and Millard South. Can Millard South make a push towards Memorial Stadium? Absolutely. Millard South is worthy of its No. 2 rating. We will see if the Patriots can hang with Omaha Westside in Week 8 in what should be a fantastic encounter.
  3. Millard West (5-1) – Its only blemish of the season coming to No. 2 Millard South to open the season by one-point, the Wildcats remain on course. QB Brody Peterson is the leader on offense, while Bobby Joseph is having a great season out of the backfield. North Dakota State WR commit Jackson Williams has been All-State worthy for the Wildcats and ought to be a FBS prospect. Tyler Thaden, an Indiana State commit, leads the offensive front. The Wildcats have impressive victories over No. 4 Omaha North, Creighton Prep, and recently over rival Millard North. Huskerland Preps was the most right in the preseason about Millard West.
  4. Omaha North (5-1) – Omaha North has navigated a difficult part of the schedule and now has two crucial district games coming up with No. 6 Elkhorn South and 4-2 Grand Island. It’s where the season sort of derailed a year ago, something the Vikings will not want to relive. Junior Sebastian Circo has provided steady hands at QB, while sophomore RB Jaron Cannon has been one of the surprises in the metro thanks to very good offensive line play provided by De’Andre Harper and junior Connor Cook (6’9/310) amongst others. Junior Tyson Terry and DB Donovan Jones, both pledges to Nebraska, have been consistent on defense for the Vikings. There are too many Vikings having an impact and will so in future recruiting posts to mention. Omaha North has a very strong sophomore class.
  5. Kearney (6-0) – After getting plenty of hype coming into the season, neutrals statewide remain divided on the Bearcats. Kearney owns wins over No. 7 Bellevue West and No. 10 Lincoln East. Junior QB Griffin Novacek (905 total yards, 10 TD’s) has Able Molina (406 rushing, 6 TD’s) and Eli Randolph (433 rushing, 6 TD’s) out of the backfield, while Zander Reuling (254 receiving, 2 TD’s) is the top pass catcher on an offense that averages just over 30 points per game. Baker Bertrand (48 tackles, 3 TFL), junior Ryan Meier (47 tackles, 2 TFL), and junior LB Sawyer Schilke (45 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks) lead the defense along with Kaleb Larson (30 tackles, 3 INT’s). Kearney’s biggest test will come in Week 7 with top-ranked Omaha Westside. No matter the outcome, the Bearcats will be in good shape with a decent playoff seed.
  6. Elkhorn South (5-1) – Despite FCS commit Carson Rauner being lost at QB, the Storm haven’t missed a beat with junior Madden RIggs. Its wins over Lincoln Southeast and Papio South the most impressive thus far, the Storm have plenty of options out of the backfield. The pass grabbing trio of Aidan Skradis (committed to Air Force), Luke Hoskinson, and TE Ethan Duda are threats in the passing game. Northern Illinois OL commit Ben Gustafson (6’8/275) leads the offensive front. Nebraska DL pledge Ashton Murphy, Henry Prochazka, and Landon Wemhoff lead the defense. Elkhorn South has won 21 of its last 22 regular season games. Already battle-tested, forthcoming games with No. 4 Omaha North and 4-2 Grand Island will be crucial for playoff seeding purposes.
  7. Bellevue West (4-3) – Bellevue West has not quite lived up to the preseason hype, but to its credit keeps fighting for everything it earns. A 14-13 win over No. 8 Gretna in Week 6 was huge for the Thunderbirds. Nebraska QB pledge Daniel Kaelin (1,045 passing, 6 TD’s), RB C.J. Gauff (372 rushing, 5 TD’s), and WR Ben Goodwater (328 receiving, 2 TD’s) have been the leaders on offense. LB Dylan Sheard (36 tackles, 5.5 TFL), junior Jules Dudoit (31 tackles, 11 TFL) and junior Stanley Haeder (24 tackles, 6 TFL, 5.5 sacks) have stepped as leaders on defense, while sophomore DB Kaprice Keith (16 tackles, 3 INT’s) is having a breakout season. Watch this space in November.
  8. Gretna (4-2) – Despite losing two out of three games, the Dragons are in good shape with games coming between playoff contender Papio South and No. 10 Lincoln East. QB Alex Wilcoxson (1,155 total yards, 16 TD’s) and Isaiah Weber (679 rushing, 9 TD’s) have been key on offense for Gretna and Alex Runge and Joey Vieth the leading receivers. Junior Kalvin Janssen leads the offensive front. DL Blake Hawkins (29 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks) has emerged on a defense loaded with seniors along with Weber (40 tackles, 7 TFL’s) and Runge (23 tackles).
  9. Papillion-La Vista (5-1) – There was a lot to like about this team coming into the season. The best is likely yet to come from the Monarchs. QB Tavien Pirtle (472 passing, 3 TD’s) has been steady, but RB Payton Prestito (746 rushing, 11 TD’s) has picked up where he left off as a junior. Junior WR Isaac Pamaran (234 receiving, TD) leads the team in receiving with Nebraska commit Eric Ingwerson a constant red zone threat at 6’7/250. Note the offensive linemen making an impact for future recruiting note purposes in junior Garin Maley (6’6/250) and sophomore Landen Von Seggern (6’4/260). Tricky games are ahead for Papillion-La Vista.
  10. Lincoln East (4-2) – Flying the flag for Lincoln schools in 2023, Lincoln East’s losses have come to two Top 5 teams who remain unbeaten (Kearney and Millard South). Don’t consider junior QB Jeter Worthley (1,342 total yards, 17 TD’s) just a baseball player as he is a more than capable signal caller. Wyoming pledge Dash Bauman (462 rushing, 8 TD’s) and Owen Laessig (387 receiving yards, 5 TD’s) have been productive. Junior LB Troy Peltz (25 tackles, 2 TFL), like Worthley, is a future baseball player making his impact felt on Friday nights for the Spartans. Noah Pedersen (16 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks) has made an impact as well.

    Ratings Contenders

    Grand Island (4-2) – Grand Island has been impressive, but losses coming to No. 1 Omaha Westside and No. 5 Kearney and somewhat inconsistent play on offense have, perhaps unfairly, kept the Islanders on the Outside Looking In (OLI). Caleb Richardson (249 rushing, 5 TD’s) and sophomore Nelsyn Wheeler (289 rushing, TD) has been to focal points on offense for the Islanders. LB Justyce Hostetler (41 tackles) leads the defense.

    Omaha Creighton Prep (3-4) – As expected with its brutal schedule and a large amount of newcomers in 2023, the first part of the season would be a struggle at least on paper. Creighton Prep remains one of the most dangerous teams in Class A. Junior Tony Coniglio (746 total yards, 7 TD’s) and Jacob Ruby (216 rushing, 2 TD’s) lead the offense. DB Zac McLeay (107 tackles, 3 TFL, INT) is the most underrated high school football prospect in the Class of 2024 statewide.

    Papillion-La Vista South (4-2) – There is enough senior leadership available on a team that will be a tough out the rest of the season. Papio South has its own fate in its hands. It can play its way into the postseason comfortably, or play its way completely out of the picture. Sam Schuler (799 passing, 10 TD’s) and sophomore RB Derek Jones (416 yards, 7 TD’s) are the leaders on offense for the Titans. LB Kylan Connor (48 tackles, 4 TFL) and junior Keith Hamby (44 tackles) lead a young defense that is improving by the week.

    Teams to Watch

    Bellevue East (4-2) – With a few more wins, Bellevue East could be playoff bound. QB Mason Chandler (1,141 total yards, 12 TD’s; 48 tackles, INT) ought to receive All-State consideration for his performances this season while Andrew Lucas (387 rushing, 4 TD’s) is having a solid season out of the backfield. Sophomore Elon Washington (331 receiving, 2 TD’s) has performed well in the passing game.

    Lincoln North Star (3-3) – The Navigators made a lot of headlines early on, but its best days may be ahead. In search of its first playoff berth since 2020, North Star. A Week 7trip to Norfolk will determine a lot. Senior QB Dean Donaldson leads the offense, while junior Jordan Anderson has emerged as the top option out of the backfield. Michael Hunter Jr. and Maurice Purify are sophomores to watch.

    Lincoln Southeast (3-3) – Out of all the teams to watch, this is the one with perhaps the most legs. Owen Baxter (766 passing yards, 8 TD’s) leads the offense, while junior RB Cash Buettenback (466 rushing, 4 TD’s) has been productive out of the backfield for the Knights. Check the tape out on senior OT Cooper Johnson (6’6/300). Junior Pierre Allen Jr. has been disruptive on the defensive line. Lincoln Southeast should be in good shape, but it will not be easy.

    Norfolk (4-2) – CJ Hoffman (643 passing yards, 5 TD’s) leads the Norfolk offense. College prospect Rowdy Bauer (525 rushing yards, 7 TD’s) has been as advertised this season. Hudson Waldow leads the defense for the Panthers, who are searching for its first playoff berth since 2020. The Week 7 battle with fellow playoff contender Lincoln North Star will go a long way in determining Norfolk’s postseason fate.

    Omaha Bryan (3-3) – A Week 6 win at South Sioux City could have gone a long way to ensuring Omaha Bryan’s first playoff berth since 2007. QB Coryion Perry (1,089 passing, 10 TD’s) has been the offensive leader, with junior Isaiah Morgan (441 rushing, 5 TD’s) and Braylon Rogers (326 rushing, 7 TD’s) have performed well out of the backfield. Jeremiah Gorham (422 receiving, 5 TD’s has done well in an offense averaging 33.5 points per game.

    Omaha Central (2-4) – Its Week 7 game with No. 9 Papillion-La Vista will be huge. Sophomore QB B.J. Newsome, freshman RB Kylonn Haynie, and sophomore DaShawn Prince has been standouts offensively along with Illinois pledge Caleb Pyfrom. LB Kevon Newsome is among the leader tacklers in Class A, while junior Anthony Liggins has performed well as a shutdown corner. Omaha Central continues to be a work in progress where the benefits will show up in 2024 and 2025.

    South Sioux City (5-1) – South Sioux City will need to win a game or two down the stretch, but that starts with a Week 7 visit to Lincoln Southwest on Thursday. QB/LB D.J. Helms has stood out along with junior RB Tony Palmer, who has gone over 1,000 yards for the season for the Cardinals out of the backfield. Adam Hamilton has joined Helms as defense standouts.