Nebraska HS Football: Class D-2 Playoff Preview/Predictions
– Games on Thursday, October 24
– Selections in BOLD
– Brackets Reseeded in Second Round
– Class D-1 SUPER Eight Man Preview

Class D-2 Scoring Leaders (Offense)
Sandhills/Thedford – 63.9; O’Neill St. Mary’s – 57.3; Creighton – 56.5; Central Valley – 56.0; Ainsworth – 53.8; Humphrey Archangels – 50.3; Bancroft-Rosalie – 48.4; BDS – 46.9; Wilcox-Hildreth – 47.8; High Plains – 47.5; Lawrence-Nelson – 45.3

Class D-2 Scoring Leaders (Defense)
Hitchcock County – 12.5; BDS – 12.6; Humphrey Archangels – 12.8; Weeping Water – 15.4; Sandhills/Thedford – 15.5; Loomis – 16.0; Central Valley – 18.4; High Plains – 20.8; Riverside – 21.0; Wynot – 21.2

CLASS D-2

West

Twin Loup (3-5) at No. 5 Loomis (8-0)
– In a battle between many Wolves. Loomis is searching for its first playoff victory since 2020. The Wolves stormed through the season with an unbeaten record. Jace Schukar (1,690 total yards, 28 TD’s) is the go-to back on offense. Cauy Meyer (106 tackles, 16 TFL, 3 sacks), Tyson Freeman (106 tackles, 10 TFL), and Caleb Swanson (62 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks) lead a disruptive defensive unit for Loomis. Twin Loup has won its first round playoff matchup in back-to-back seasons. Freshman QB Yahya Harris (1,009 total yards, 12 TD’s) has a bright future for the Wolves.

Maxwell (4-4) at No. 1 Sandhills/Thedford (8-0)
– This is rematch from Week 5, which top-ranked Sandhills/Thedford won 61-14. Kyle Cox (2,291 total yards, 44 TD’s; 84 tackles, 12 TFL) is hoping to lead his unbeaten and No. 1 Sandhills/Thedford team to another Class D-2 state championship after doing so last season. Recently committed to Chadron State, Cox has put up huge numbers over his illustrious career. Carson Cooksley (79 tackles, 4 TFL) is amongst the leaders on defense for the Knights. Junior Jesse Reyes (1,155 total yards, 18 TD’s) is the offensive leader for the Wildcats.

Cambridge (4-4) at O’Neill St. Mary’s (5-3)
– As Gage Hedstrom (2,510 total yards, 43 TD’s) goes, so does O’Neill St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s is second amongst playoff teams in points per game with 57.3. Jace Rosenkras (57 tackles, 14 TFL) is one of the top players to watch on defense. Cambridge has qualified for the playoffs in nine straight seasons but searching for its first playoff win since 2020. Freshman QB Abram Norton (1,296 total yards, 18 TD’s) and Jayden Ruf (94 tackles, 5 TFL) are the top prospects for the Trojans.

Axtell (4-4) at Mullen (6-2)
– Mullen has qualified for the postseason in 23 straight seasons dating back to 2001. Alex Werner (970 rushing yards, 14 TD’s) and Tate Kvanvig (678 rushing yards, 17 TD’s, 61 tackles, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks) are the top players for the Broncos. Elijah Bergstrom (1,540 total yards, 27 TD’s) and Jacob Halverson (1,370 total yards, 21 TD’s; 74 tackles) are the top prospects to watch for Axtell.

Kenesaw (5-3) at Ainsworth (5-3)
– After starting at 0-3, Ainsworth motored through District D2-7 with a 5-0 record while averaging 59 points per game in district play. QB Chris Fernandez (1,454 total yards, 21 TD’s) and Morgan Kinney (1,540 total yards, 37 TD’s) are two of the main reasons for the success offensively. Kenesaw, looking for its playoff win since making a run to the final in 2021, are led by Maddox Wagoner (1,471 yards, 20 TD’s) and junior RB Adam Denkert (1,633 total yards, 23 TD’s) lead the Blue Devils on offense.

Wilcox-Hildreth (5-3) at Hitchcock County (6-2)
– A couple of Falcons cutting it up. Hitchcock County made a run to win the Class D-2 state championship in 2022, but did not get out of the first round last season. Karson Schuler and freshman Brody Hubl are amongst the top players for the Falcons. QB Dagan Ortgiesen (1,395 yards, 20 TD’s) is the second leading passer in the D-2 playoffs. Brody Patterson (134 tackles, 2 INT’s) and Graiden Ritner (124 tackles, INT).

Hyannis (4-4) at No. 6 Overton (7-1)
– Overton are looking for its first playoff victory since 2019. Hayden Muirhead (1,767 total yards, 23 TD’s) leads an Eagles offense that averaged 44 points per game. Adam Grandon, a 6’3/340-pound lineman, is an issue for the opposing team. Tripp Davenport (103 tackles, 3 TFL) and Eli Luther (49 tackles, 5 INT’s) are the top players on an active defense. Hyannis is searching for its first playoff win since 2018.Parker Provost (1,015 yards, 13 TD’s) and Beau Rice (779 total yards, 6 TD’s; 68 tackles, 17 TFL) are the top options on offense, while junior DL Ely Van Renan (6’4/220; 67 tackles, 28 TFL) is amongst the leaders on defense

Elm Creek (3-5) at No. 2 Central Valley (7-1)
– For Central Valley, QB Zaden Wolf (1,886 total yards, 38 TD’s) has taken the bulk of the offensive load after Grady Kelley was lost due to injury. Sophomore Luke Shoemaker (846 total yards, 10 TD’s; 79 tackles, INT) also has stepped up for Central Valley. Taesian Soto (98 tackles) leads the defense for the Cougars. For Elm Creek, junior Quin Oberg (1,503 yards, 22 TD’s) and Brody Schopke (85 tackles, 10 TFL) lead the Buffaloes.

East

Elgin/Pope John (4-4) at No. 3 Humphrey Archangels (8-0)
– The name of the school and nickname may have changed, but the program formerly known at St. Francis hopes to have the same success with its new moniker. St. Francis won a playoff game over the past 17 seasons dating back to 2006. Ethan Wieseler is the quarterback, while Mason and soophomre Gavin Geilenkirchen are amongst the leaders for the Defenders. For the visiting Wolfpack, Grady Drueke (972 rushing, 13 TD’s) and Taylor Beckman (78 tackles, 9 TFL) are the top players to watch.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast (4-4) at No. 4 BDS (8-0)
– Three-time state champion BDS have won a playoff game for five straight seasons. OL/DL Carson Loos provides fireworks on offense for the Eagles, while monster Kesston Dickson (6’6/285) is a huge problem paving the way for Loos on the line. Lyons-Decatur Northeast is the only team in the Eight Man playoffs to have two players with more than 1,000 yards rushing. Gavin Hardeman (1,062 rushing, 17 TD’s; 139 tackles, 9 TFL) and Landen Cooper (1,000 rushing, 11 TD’s) lead the offense, while Garrett Vavra (63 tackles, 13 TFL, 5 sacks) anchors the defensive line for the Cougars.

Elmwood-Murdock (4-4) at No. 9 Howells-Dodge (6-2)
– Battle-tested Howells-Dodge has qualified for the postseason in all 13 seasons, only failing to win a playoff game in 2014, since the merger. Hunter Luther (1,223 rushing yards, 18 TD’s) provided most of the production on offense in 2024. Dylan Brichacek (80 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 INT’s) leads the defense for the Jaguars. Elmwood-Murdock is in the playoffs for the seventh straight season. Brody Marsh (710 rushing yards, 9 TD’s) leads the offense, while Kayden Bacon (101 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks) has had a huge season on defense for the Knights.

Winside (4-4) at No. 7 Riverside (6-2)
– Riverside, making its seventh straight postseason appearance, has been impressive in a difficult district with its only loss coming to No. 3 Humphrey Archangels. QB Drew Carraher, ATH Trevor Carraher, and WR/DB Nicholas Berger are the headliners for the Chargers. Winside is in search of its first playoff win since 2010. Korbin Carlson (737 total yards, 7 TD’s; 49 tackles) and Aden Sellin (54 tackles) are the leaders for the Wildcats.

Palmer (4-4) at No. 8 Wynot (6-2)
– Wynot fell in the D-2 state championship game last season. Devin Brummer (971 passing yards, 13 TD’s), Jed Nelson (51 tackles), Andrew Habeman (383 rushing, 12 TD’s; 54 tackles), and sophomore Nick Heimes (44 tackles, 4 INT’s, 3 sacks) are the leaders for the Blue Devils. Palmer returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and are looking for the first postseason win since 2016. Gatlin Reimers (1,484 total yards, 23 TD’s, 114 tackles, 4 TFL, INT) and Emmerson Earl (380 yards, 4 TD’s; 99 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks) lead the production for the Tigers.

Fullerton.(5-3) at Bancroft-Rosalie (7-1)
– Bancroft-Rosalie have not qualified for the playoffs since being part of the BRLD co-op in 2019. QB Nick Buccholz (1,559 total yards, 32 TD’s) and Greysen Briggs (822 rushing yards, 10 TD’s) lead the way for the Panthers on offense, while Ayden Dolezal (99 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks) and Braylon Wegner (25 tackles, 4 INT’s) are the top players on defense. Fullerton is hoping for its first playoff win since 2019. Fletcher Dubas (1,481 yards, 28 TD’s) has been effective on offense, while Maxton Meysenburg (60 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 INT’s) is the leading tackler on defense for Fullerton.

Lawrence-Nelson (5-3) at No. 10 High Plains (6-2)
– High Plains are back in the playoffs for the second straight season, looking for its first playoff victory since 2015. Gage Friesen (1,355 total yards, 24 TD’s) carries the bulk of the load for the Storm. Haden Helgoth (813 total yards, 14 TD’s) and Hudson Urkoski provide additional senior leadership. Sophomore QB Wyatt Frey (1,954 total yards, 29 TD’s, 77 tackles, 6 INT’s) led Lawrence-Nelson into the postseason for the fourth straight campaign. Jackson WIlliams (657 rushing, 10 TD’s; 65 tackles) is another sophomore to watch for the Raiders.

Creighton (6-2) at Weeping Water (7-1)
– Weeping Water have won a playoff game for four straight seasons. Junior QB Tucker Bickford (1,186 total yards, 15 TD’s), junior RB Luke Harms (823 total yards, 17 TD’s), and Gus McGill (38 tackles, 20 TFL, 10 sacks) are the top prospects to watch for Weeping Water. Creighton QB Taylor Nilson (2,251 total yards, 42 TD’s) have been fantastic this season while leading his team back to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Jorgan Condon (1,191 total yards, 19 TD’s) provides an additional spark on offense for the Bulldogs.

Future Playoff Dates
Second Round: Friday, November 1
Quarterfinals: Friday, November 8
Semifinals: Friday, November 15
Class D-2 State Championship: Monday, November 25 at 10:15 am (Memorial Stadium – Lincoln)