2025 NSAA Class A State Championship Game
Millard South (11-1) vs. Papillon-La Vista South (11-1)
When: Tuesday, November 25 at 7:15 pm CT
Where: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln
TV/Stream: Nebraska Public Media
Radio: KNTK – Lincoln, KOBM – Blair
NSAA Football Finals Headquarters
Class A Playoff Bracket)
Live Game Stats
Tickets
Last Meeting: 2024 NSAA Playoff First Round – Millard South, 55-19
Millard South Patriots (11-1)
Head Coach: Taylor Mendenhall
State Championships: 1995, 2009, 2024 (A)
Scoring Offense: 64.4 | Scoring Defense: 4.4
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rating: No. 1
One-Way to Memorial Stadium: 46.6 miles
Millard South: There are no words to describe what we are actually witnessing with the Millard South gridders over the past two seasons, but we will do our best. The literal definition of awesome is the best word to describe the Patriots. Extremely impressive, daunting, and excellent check all the boxes. With at least 28 prospects with FBS, FCS, and Division II offers on the roster, with maybe even a handful more offers on the way, unprecedented is another word that comes to mind.
Perhaps the most daunting part comes with facing an offense that averages 64.4 points per game. It’s not every day when the Cornhusker State produces an Alabama commit at quarterback, but Elite 11 honoree Jett Thomalla (3,196 passing yards, 51 TD’s) passes every measurable and has the numbers to prove it. Thomalla has rewritten the record books in Class A with 9,965 career passing yards and 127 touchdowns.
Illinois pledge Nelsyn Wheeler (698 rushing yards, 14 TD’s) and Augustana commit Gabe Prucha (575 rushing yards, 10 TD’s) did not see a lot of action in the second half all season long. Both have less than 80 carries. Iowa State commit Amarion Jackson (848 receiving yards, 14 TD’s), Missouri commit Isaac Jensen (652 receiving yards, 13 TD’s), Owen Zech (616 receiving yards, 9 TD’s), and Fresno State pledge Dallas Gaius (425 receiving yards, 7 TD’s) boost the passing game. Up front for the Patriots, Illinois commit Landen Von Seggern, Army-West Point pledge Carter Glab, Augustana commit Antonio Harris, and emerging sophomore Tatum Wash are amongst the top performers.
On a defense that allows 4.4 points per game, uncommitted linebacker Teagan Urban (105 tackles, 40.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, INT) has made a living being disruptive on defense. Fresno State commit Solomon Baker (17.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks), Division II commits Daxton Williams (20.5 TFL), MJ Wash (16.5 TFL), and Easton Villotta (13.5 TFL) are part of a unit that has registered 213.5 tackles for loss and 55.5 sacks this season. Army-West Point commit Dayton Gaius and Northwest Missouri State commit Eli Mitchell lead the defensive backfield.
Dave Fajardo handles the kicking and punting duties for the defending Class A champions. Fajardo has connected on all 96 of his point after attempts while connecting on five of his six field goal attempts this season.
Papillion-La Vista South Titans (11-1)
Head Coach: Tim Clemenger
State Championships: None
Scoring Offense: 40.9 | Scoring Defense: 13.8
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rating: No. 3
One-Way to Memorial Stadium: 46.5 miles
Papillion-La Vista South: Remember Yano Jones. The long-time high school football mentor to prospects around the metro has been missed since his passing in June of 2024. Papio South’s run to Lincoln would have made Jones proud. The Titans have been extremely impressive all season long, only dropping a Week 2 game 27-21 to Omaha North after finishing 5-5 a season ago. Perhaps the local media declaring Millard South’s semifinal win over Omaha Westside the “de facto” state championship game may provide some bulletin board material.
The quarterback position is a two-headed monster with both options extremely efficient for the Titans. If you put on the tape of junior Colin Raybourn (1,145 passing yards, 14 total TD’s), there is a lot there to like. Perhaps more so than any other 2027 quarterback prospect in Nebraska this spring, Raybourn has the most to gain. Grant Beckenhauer (991 passing yards, 11 total TD’s), an underrated college prospect in the defensive backfield, is the other quarterback in the discussion.
Running back Derek Jones (2,334 career rushing yards, 31 career TD’s) was lost earlier this season after an injury, but Logan Arch (740 rushing yards, 14 TD’s) and junior Chester Mendoza (487 rushing yards, 9 TD’s) have filled in admirably. Elon Washington (65 receptions, 702 yards, 4 TD’s) and Brady Alderson (647 receiving yards, 7 TD’s) are the top receiving targets in the passing game for the Titans. Leading the offensive line is Jack Deloske, junior Gage Burki, and Mason Hamby.
On defense, linebackers Ben Meyers (94 tackles, 8.5 TFL), Cole Lempp (91 tackles, 12.5 TFL), and Arch (75 tackles, 13 TFL) anchor the defense. Joshua Thompson (56 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6 sacks) and Burki (36 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks) are the top prospects on the defensive line for Papio South. Alderson leads the secondary with a pair of interceptions this season.
Beckenhauer (27/27 PAT; 5/5 FG – 27 Long; 34.7 yards per punt) handles both the punting and kicking duties for the Titans. A weapon on special teams is Kansas State long snapper commit Sam Dolphens. Dolphens has thrown for two touchdown passes this season on trick plays.
2025 Class A State Playoffs
Class A (Playoff Bracket)
Semifinals
Millard South 62, Omaha Westside 21
Papillion-La Vista South 24, Creighton Prep (10-1) 21
Quarterfinals
Omaha Westside 35, Kearney 7
Millard South 45, Elkhorn South 3
Papillion-La Vista South 36, Millard North 26
Creighton Prep 14, Lincoln East 6
First Round
Omaha Westside 42, Bellevue West 7
Kearney 24, Columbus 7
Elkhorn South 31, Millard West 13
Millard South 45, Omaha Westview 3
Papillion-La Vista South 23, Lincoln North Star 22
Millard North 30, Omaha North 29
Lincoln East 24, Omaha Central 10
Creighton Prep 31, Lincoln Southeast 3
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