2025 NSAA Class B State Championship Game
Waverly (12-0) vs. Gretna East (11-1)
When: Monday, November 24 at 7:15 pm CT
Where: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln
TV/Stream: Nebraska Public Media
Radio: KFOR – Lincoln, lincolnprepsportsnow.com
Class B Playoff Bracket
NSAA Football Finals Headquarters
Live Game Stats
Tickets
Last Meeting: Week 7 of 2023 season – Waverly, 46-6

Waverly Vikings (12-0)
Head Coach: Reed Manstedt
State Championships: 1980 (B)
Scoring Offense: 38.1 | Scoring Defense: 15.4
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rating: No. 1
One-Way to Memorial Stadium: 15.1 miles

Waverly: For the first time since 1980, the Vikings have a shot to win the whole thing. Coach Reed Manstedt and Waverly have been knocking at the door in recent years and now are looking to kick the door down. The ride to Memorial Stadium was bumpy as four wins were decided by eight points or less against some of the other top contenders in Class B. After the last punch was thrown in those games, Waverly was always the last one standing.

Junior Brockston Teply (2,093 passing yards, 22 TD’s) has been one of the best quarterbacks in Class B this season. Running back Nathan Axmann (1,789 total yards, 27 total TD’s) has been a spark plug on offense for the Vikings in the running game. Gavin McMillan (474 receiving yards, 6 TD’s) and 6’5 tight end target Brady Schieffer (357 receiving yards, 8 TD’s)  are the top threats in the passing game for Teply. The offensive line has been solid this season, allowing the Vikings to rush for an average of 192.7 yards per game at 5.4 yards per carry.

Defensively, Tyson Heine (6’5/255) provides pressure on the opposing offenses with his pass rush while Gavin Ruskamp (100 tackles, 15 TFL) leads the linebacking corps. McMillan (65 tackles, 6 INT’s) and Schieffer (2 INT’’s) also help boost a defense that allowed 15.4 points per game.

In the kicking game, sophomore Gavin Fowler has connected on all 33 of his point after attempts this season, while Nathan Scholl has done a solid job in the punting game with his 38-yard average.

Gretna East Griffins (11-1)
Head Coach: Justin Haberman
State Championships: None
Scoring Offense: 41.0 | Scoring Defense: 21.7
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rating: No. 3
One-Way to Memorial Stadium: 44.7 miles

Gretna East: It has been a rapid rise for the Griffins. Since competing in its first varsity season in 2023. Gretna East won its first playoff game in school history in 2024 finishing 6-5 on the season and now has advanced to its first state championship game in football a year later. Many around the state saw this coming eventually. Some local high school coaches suggested Gretna East would be in the mix this season, and they were right on the money. 

Junior Chase Grow (1,888 total yards, 23 TD’s) has provided a steady hand at quarterback and has averaged over 10 yards per carry with his legs this season. Bruising Air Force running back commit Connor Sams (2,083 rushing yards, 25 TD’s) has been dominant and extremely difficult to bring down one-on-one. Seth Kraegel (525 receiving yards, 7 TD’s) is the team’s leading receiving target, while Liam Norton anchors the offensive line for the Griffins. 

A solid mix of seniors and underclassmen make up a defense allowing 21.7 points per game this season. Those numbers are perhaps skewed as the Griffins faced stiff competition this season to include some of the top offenses in Class B. Linebacker Cade Thompson (113 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT’s) is the leading tackler. Norton (53 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks) has plenty of impact on the defense as well. Junior Brody Boone (3 INT’s) is one of the top performers in a deep defensive backfield for Gretna East.

If it comes down to special teams, Gretna East has two weapons. Punter Nolan Iverson (38.5 yards per punt) is one of the top punters in Class B, while junior kicker Kamden Korth (61/62 PAT; 6/10 FG – 43 Long) has the potential to be one of the top kickers in Nebraska for the Class of 2027.Both have big-time legs. 

Class B State Playoffs

Semifinals
Waverly 38, Bennington 18
Gretna East 55, Gretna 34

Quarterfinals
Waverly 30, Seward 24 (OT)
Bennington 42, Elkhorn North 7
Gretna 35, York 21
Gretna East 42, Skutt Catholic 21

First Round
Waverly 35, Northwest 13
Seward 35, McCook 12
Bennington 48, Plattsmouth 0
Elkhorn North 32, Lincoln Pius X 0
York 24, Scottsbluff 21
Gretna 46, Norris 45
Skutt Catholic 49, Gering 7
Gretna East 41, Lincoln Standing Bear 15