NSAA State Football Semifinal Preview, Radio Links
– All games kick off at 7:00 pm CT unless noted

NEBHSFB Season Picks
QF Round: 22-7 (.759)
Season: 1,059-225 (.824)

Class A

Omaha North (9-2) at Omaha Westside (11-0)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Omaha Westside
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)

Omaha North (9-2)
– Leading Passer: Mikey Gow | 6’2/200 – 1,944 passing yards, 19 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Jaron Cannon – 5’10/170 (Jr.) – 1,342 rushing yards, 13 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Darion Jones | 6’1/170 (Jr.) – 41 receptions, 753 yards, 11 TD’s; 30 tackles, 8 INT’s
– Defensive Leader: Maxwell Clark | 6’3/225 (Jr.) – 132 tackles, 20 TFL, 7 sacks
– State Championships: 2013, 2014, 2017
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2021

Omaha Westside (11-0)
– Leading Passer: Braylen Warren | 6’1/185 (Soph.) – 1,948 passing yards, 20 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Tay Tay Jenkins | 5’10/170 (Soph.) – 1,684 rushing yards, 19 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Keynan Cotton | 5’11/185 – 34 receptions, 640 yards, 9 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Christian Jones | 6’4/225 – Committed to Nebraska; All-American Bowl honoree; 76 tackles, 4 TFL, INT
– State Championships: 1981, 1982, 2020, 2022, 2023
– Warriors have won a Class A record 31 straight games

Kearney (10-1) at Millard South (10-1)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Millard South
– Streaming Link: (NCN Sports) NFHS Network – $
– Radio Link: KGFW 1340 AM Kearney

Kearney (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Griffin Novacek | 6’4/220 – 1,249 passing yards, 15 TD’s; 596 rushing yards, 7 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Sam Nachtigal | 5’8 – 651 rushing yards, 5 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Josh Dolence | 6’0/175 – 20 receptions, 306 yards, 3 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Sawyer Schilke | 6’3/230 – Committed to Kansas State; 104 tackles, 14 TFL, 6 sacks
– State Championships: 2006
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2020

Millard South (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Jett Thomalla | 6’4/200 (Jr.) – 3,059 passing yards, 40 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Gabe Prucha | 5’10/220 (Jr.) – 769 rushing yards, 16 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Chase Loftin | 6’6/220 – Committed to Florida State; 46 receptions, 726 yards, 10 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Teagan Urban | 6’0/195 (Jr.) – 66 tackles, 15 TFL, INT
– Millard South has four receivers with more than 500 yards this season.
– State Championships: 1995, 2009
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023

Class B

Elkhorn North (9-2) at Bennington (10-1)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Bennington
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)

Elkhorn North (9-2)
– Leading Passer: Ethan Beachy | 5’10/165 (Jr.) – 1,930 passing yards, 24 TD’s; 347 rushing yards, 4 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Jett Tinglehoff | 5’7/155 – 1,034 rushing yards, 11 TD’s; 131 receiving yards, 4 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Alex Uchtman | 6’1/185 (Jr.) – 36 receptions, 917 yards, 12 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Barry Fries | 6’4/205 (Jr.) – 111 tackles, 2.5 TFL
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023

Bennington (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Houston Hill | 6’2/215 – 1,419 passing yards, 15 TD’s; 295 rushing yards, 4 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Will Gutz | 5’11/180 (Soph.) – 1,106 rushing yards, 11 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Cooper Johnson | 6’1/170 – 40 receptions, 649 yards, 8 TD’s
– Defensive Leaders: Jack Jansen | 6’2/240 – 93 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 sacks; Kyler Lauridsen | 5’11/180 – 92 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT’s
– State Championships: 1989 (C-1), 2021, 2022, 2023
– The Badgers have won 49 of their last 50 games.

Omaha Skutt (10-1) at Seward (11-0)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Omaha Skutt
– Streaming LInk: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: 1370 AM Seward

Omaha Skutt (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Dylan Van Dyke | 6’1/190 – 2,811 passing yards, 35 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Joseph Kolega | 6’0/180 – 58 receptions, 1,278 yards, 18 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Luke Van Dyke | 6’2/205 – 80+ tackles
– State Championships: 2005, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
– Omaha Skutt snapped Bennington’s Class B state record 46-game winning streak in Week 8.

Seward (11-0)
– Leading Passer: Tresten Hass | 6’3/190 (Jr.) – 2,403 rushing yards, 24 TD’s; 479 rushing yards, 4 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Edison Knott |5’10/175 – 880 rushing yards, 10 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Jack Vyhnalek | 6’3/200 (jr.) – 56 receptions, 829 yards, 12 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Caden Schadwinkel |5’11/175 – 96 tackles
– State Championships: 2001
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2001

Class C-1

Central City (10-1) at Sidney (11-0) – 5:00 pm MT
– NEBHSFB.com Pick: Sidney
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KZEN Central City | 1340 AM Sidney

Central City (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Parker Zikmund | 6’2/170 (Jr.) – 2,369 passing yards, 34 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Corbin Kyes | 5’5/180 (Jr.) – 1,859 rushing yards, 25 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Wyatt Dent | 6’2/165 (Jr.) – 68 receptions, 1,013 yards, 13 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Jakob Ruhl | 6’4/195 – 43 tackles, 5 INT’s
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 1978

Sidney (11-0)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Alec Doty (Jr.) – 1,952 passing yards, 25 TD’s; 1,027 rushing yards, 14 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Landon Riddle | 6’0/165 – 55 receptions, 1,020 yards, 10 TD’s
– Defensive Leaders: Keian Kaiser | 6’3/200 (Jr.) – 114 tackles, INT; Reed Fiscus | 6’2/180 – 48 tackles, 6 INT’s
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023

Auburn (10-1) at Wahoo (11-0)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Wahoo
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio: 101.3 Falls City

Auburn (10-1)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Nixon Ligouri | 6’3/190 – 588 passing yards, 3 TD’s; 1,143 rushing yards, 17 TD’s
– Leading Receiver/1000-yard Rusher: Brant Gulizia | 6’0/185 – 20 receptions, 212 yards, TD; 1,002 yards, 16 TD’s; 107 tackles, 14 TFL
– Defensive Leader: Lance Binder | 5’11 – 92 tackles, 7 TFL
– State Championships: 2006
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2006

Wahoo (11-0)
– Leading Passer: Jace Kaminski | 5’10/165 (Jr.) – 1,383 rushing yards, 10 TD’s
– Leading Rusher/Receiver: Kip Brigham | 5’10/175 (Jr.) – 1,779 rushing yards, 33 TD’s ; 15 receptions, 401 yards, 5 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Braylon Iversen | 6’0/195 – 87 tackles, 7 TFL, INT; Harrison Krueger | 6’0/`190 (Jr.) – 84 tackles, 6 TFL
– State Championships: 2019
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023

Class C-2

Kearney Catholic (9-2) at Norfolk Catholic (11-0)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Norfolk Catholic
– Streamling Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: Spirit Catholic Radio | 98.9 Kearney | KNEN Norfolk

Kearney Catholic (9-2)
– Leading Passer: Jacob Bosshamer | 5’9/150 (Soph.) – 1,968 passing yards, 21 TD’s; 431 rushing yards, 5 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Pete Homan | 6’0/200 – 715 rushing yards, 11 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Owen Axmann | 6’2/170 – 53 receptions, 656 yards, 8 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Keaton Wemhoff | 5’9/175 – 149 tackles
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2021 (C-1)

Norfolk Catholic (11-0)
– Individual Stats Unavailable
– Norfolk Catholic PPG – Offense: 40.5; Defense: 14.1
– State Championships: 1983, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2010 2011, 2012, 2017 (C-1), 2022, 2023
– The Knights have won 37 straight games.
– Head coach Jeff Bellar is Nebraska’s winningest coach with 417 victories.

Battle Creek (9-2) at Wahoo Neumann (10-1)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Wahoo Neumann
– Streaming Link: (NCN North) NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KQKX Norfolk

Battle Creek (9-2)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Jaxon Mettler | 6’0/175 – 992 passing yards, 9 TD’s; 696 rushing yards, 11 TD’s
– Key Contributor: Aden Pochop | 5’9/170 – 696 rushing yards, 12 TD’s; 14 receptions, 246 yards, 3 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Conner Neuhalfen – 9 receptions, 276 yards, 4 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Dawson Amick | 6’3/270 – Committed to Air Force; 62 tackles, 6 sacks
– State Championships: 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992 (C-1)
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2021

Wahoo Neumann (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Jake Rezac | 6’2/170 – 687 rushing yards, 12 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Conor Booth | 6’2/200 – Committed to Nebraska; 2,864 rushing yards, 49 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Jarred Cernick | 5’11/200 – 16 receptions, 380 yards, 5 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Jack Van Slyke | 5’11/220 (Jr.) – 127 tackles, 2.5 TFL, INT
– State Championships: 1977, 2002, 2003 (C-1)
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2016

Class D-1

Nebraska City Lourdes (9-2) at Sandy Creek (11-0) – 5:00 pm CT
– NEBHSFB Pick: Sandy Creek
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KBIE Auburn

Nebraska City Lourdes (9-2)
– Individual Stats Unavailable
– Nebraska City Lourdes PPG – Offense: 45.4; Defense: 28.5
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2006

Sandy Creek (11-0)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Ethan Shaw | 6’2/190 – 1,849 passing yards, 33 TD’s; 1,331 rushing yards, 26 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Connor Rempe | 5’7/135 – 32 receptions, 761 yards, 13 TD’s; 101 tackles, 4 INT’s
– Defensive Leader: Hudson Devlin | 6’5/220 – 78 tackles, 14 TFL, 8 sacks
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023

Stanton (11-0) at Summerland (10-1) – 6:00 pm CT
– NEBHSFB Pick: Stanton
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KBRX O’Neill | KEXL Norfolk

Stanton (11-0)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Barrett Wilke | 6’0/205 – 748 passing yards, 7 TD’s; 2,229 rushing yards, 30 TD’s
– 1000-yard Rusher/Leading Receiver: Becker Pohlman | 6’0/195 – 1,289 rushing yards, 30 TD’s; 15 receptions, 310 yards, 4 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Gatlin Davidson | 5’10/215 (Jr.) – 95 tackles
– State Championships: 2023
– Stanton has won 24 straight games.
– Offensive lineman Ren Brown (6’6/280) is committed to Texas Tech.

Summerland (10-1)
– Leading Passer: Michael Koenig |6’3/170 – 1,921 passing yards, 31 TD’s; 634 rushing yards, 15 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Mathias Wagner (Soph.) – 1,008 rushing yards, 17 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Sam Cheatum | 6’0/160 – 49 receptions, 967 yards, 17 TD’s
– Key Contributor: Alec Schindler | 6’1/185 – 43 receptions, 758 yards, 13 TD’s; 106 tackles, 2 INT’s
– Defensive Leader: Keaton Thiele – 122 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks
– Summerland was created in 2020 when Clearwater, Ewing, and Orchard merged.
– The Bobcats have made three straight playoff appearances.

Class D-2

Central Valley (10-1) at Humphrey Archangels (11-0)
– NEBHSFB Pick: Central Valley
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio LInk: KBRY Sargent | KLIR Columbus | KTIC West Point

Central Valley (10-1)
– Leading Passer/Rusher: Zaden Wolf | 5’11/175 – 1,294 passing yards, 20 TD’s; 1,271 rushing yards, 29 TD’s
– 1,000-yard Rusher: Luke Shoemaker | 6’0/165 (Soph.) – 1,019 rushing yards, 14 TD’s
– Grady Kelly (2,006 yards, 38 TD’s in 2023) has returned to the line-up.
– Leading Receiver/Defensive Leader: Taesian Soto – 35 receptions, 428 yards, 6 TD’s; 123 tackles, 4 TFL, INT
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2022

Humphrey Archangels (11-0)
– Individual Stats Unavailable
– Archangels PPG – Offense: 46.7; Defense: 11.8
– Humphrey St. Francis won five state championships (1995, 1996, 2009, 2015, 2016).
– Archangels are in its first season under a new name.

BDS (11-0) at Riverside (9-2) – 5:00 pm CT
– NEBHSFB Pick: Riverside
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KNLV Ord | KKOT Columbus

Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (11-0)
– Individual Stats Unavailable
– BDS PPG – Offense: 41.8; Defense: 16.8
– State Championships: 2015 (D-1), 2017, 2020 (D-2)
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2021

Riverside (9-2)
– Individual Stats Unavailable
– Riverside PPG – Offense: 53.0; Defense: 25.5
– School opened in 2014 after Cedar Rapids and Spalding merged.
– The Chargers have made seven straight playoff appearances.

Class D-6

Garden County (10-0) at S-E-M (10-0) – 5:00 pm CT
– NEBHSFB Pick: S-E-M
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio Link: KRVN 93.1 Lexington | KBBN Broken Bow

Garden County (10-0)
– Leading Passer: Kole Fornander | 5’8/120 (Soph.) – 630 passing yards, 12 TD’s; 644 rushing yards, 10 TD’s
– Leading Rusher/Receiver: Wilsie Lobner | 6’0/150 – 882 rushing yards, 18 TD’s; 16 receptions, 328 yards, 7 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Jase Roberson | 6’1/165 (Soph.) – 107 tackles, 2 INT’s

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (10-0)
– Leading Passer: Chance Daake | 6’4/160 (Jr.) – 577 rushing yards, 7 TD’s
– Leading Rusher/Defensive Leader: Maddox Jones | 6’0/190 – 1,217 rushing yards, 27 TD’s; 88 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 INT’s
– Leading Receiver: Cohen Rohde | 6’4/225 – 8 receptions, 209 yards, 5 TD’s
– State Championships: 2023

Stuart (9-1) at Hay Springs (10-0) – 2:00 pm MT
– NEBHSFB Pick: Stuart
– Streaming Link: NFHS Network ($)
– Radio LInk: KBRB Ainsworth | KRBX O’Neill | KNLV Ord | KBPY Hay Springs

Stuart (9-1)
– Leading Passer: Kayde Ramm (Jr.) – 1,202 passing yards, 32 TD’s; 513 rushing, 10 TD’s
– Leading Rusher: Owen Littau | 5’10/160 – 741 rushing yards, 10 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Benjamin Paxton – 28 receptions, 705 yards, 10 TD’s
– Defensive Leader: Hunter Tubbs – 80 tackles, 7 TFL
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2013 (D-2)

Hay Springs (10-0)
– Leading Passer/Defensive Leader: Dylan Young | 6’0/185 – 856 passing yards, 19 TD’s; 373 rushing, 6 TD’s; 110 tackles, 7 INT’s
– Leading Rusher: Dylan Raymer | 6’0/185 – 1,144 rushing yards, 23 TD’s
– Leading Receiver: Hunter McDonald | 6’1/210 – 12 receptions, 308 yards, 4 TD’s
– Key Defensive Contributor: Talan Smith | 6’2/170 – 98 tackles, 23 TFL, 10 sacks
– Last Semifinal Appearance: 2023