Top 25 Nebraska high school football rankings (9/19/2023)

District play begins in Nebraska

Welcome to district play in Nebraska. This week, 11-man teams across the state dive into the second part of their season and go head-to-head with respective teams in their districts. Look for some major blowouts, especially in Class A. The NSAA, in non-district games, is able to pair games well best on similar talent. District play, though, forces powers to play lesser teams which will inevitably lead to some lopsided finishes

1. Omaha Westside (4-0, 0-0 district)

Westside beat a struggling Millard North team 49-7 last Friday. Westside continued doing what it has done all season – winning in dominant form. Through four games, the Warriors have scored 45 or more per game while giving up 26 points on defense all season. This week, Westside plays Norfolk, who is 3-1 on the season and has shown to be an improved team. With that said, the result will probably be similar.

2. Millard South (4-0, 0-0 district)

Millard South arguably had its most impressive performance of the year this past week, beating a good Gretna squad 38-7. At this point in the season, the Patriots look like Class A’s best shot to upend Westside’s season. This week, look for Millard South to pick up another win when they face 2-2 Lincoln North Star.

3. Millard West (3-1, 0-0 district)

Since its season opening one-point loss to Millard South, Millard West has been cooking. On Friday, the Wildcats beat Creighton Prep 20-7 to improve to 3-1 on the season. On paper, this week’s matchup against an undefeated South Sioux City squad looks good, but don’t be surprised if this one gets lopsided in a hurry, in favor of Millard West.

4. Omaha North (3-1, 0-0 district)

Since falling in a tight one Week 2 against Millard West, North has seemingly caught its stride again, winning its last two games in blowout form. This past week, the Vikings routed Benson 54-0. The going will be more challenging, as they face 2-2 Omaha Central this week. We like North in this game, but don’t believe it will come by way of a blowout.

5. Kearney (4-0, 0-0 district)

The Bearcats picked up a big 16-14 win last Friday over Bellevue West. Bell West certainly is facing some struggles right now, but don’t let that distract you from the fact that this is still a big, big win for Kearney. Kearney will likely pick up wins the next two weeks of North Platte and Grand Island, setting the stage for a huge game at home against state No. 1 Omaha Westside.

6. Gretna (3-1, 0-0 district)

The Dragons couldn't get much of anything going during this past week’s 38-7 loss to Millard South. The week prior, Gretna barely beat Creighton Prep. This team has talent, but will need to find a way to beat some of its stiffer opposition as the year progresses. Gretna should pick up a win over Bellevue East this week before facing Bellevue West, the following.

7. Elkhorn South (3-1, 0-0 district)

Since its Week 2 shutout loss to to Millard South, Elkhorn South has bounced back winning its last two games. The most recent came against a struggling Omaha Northwest. South should pick up a win this week against Fremont, who picked up its lone win of the season two weeks ago against Lincoln Northeast. 

8. Bellevue West (2-3, 0-0 district)

It has been a rocky road for Bellevue West this season, but the Thunderbirds still can do what’s necessary to make a playoff run. Last week, West fell 16-14 to Kearney. West should pick up a win this week against Omaha South before heading to Gretna for a tough road game. The next two-game stretch is crucial for West to keep its season on track.

9. Lincoln East (3-1, 0-0 district)

Since losing Week 1 to Kearney, East has notched three straight victories. Last week, the Spartans rolled 42-7 over Lincoln Northeast. We have them beating 2-3 Columbus this week to improve to 4-1. Quarterback Jeter Worthley has thrown for 771 and nine scores on the season.

10. Creighton Prep (1-4, 0-0 district)

Prep’s record isn’t reflective of the team it has. It may not be one of the great Jr. Jay squads, but now that district play is underway look for this team to get back in the win column. Prep fell 20-7 to Millard West last week, but it’s entirely possible it could win its next four games and make the playoffs. It starts this week by Beating Omaha Burke.

11. Papillion-La Vista (3-1, 0-0 district)

Coming off a 10-7 loss to Lincoln Southeast, PLV bounced back last week and beat Lincoln Southwest 28-14. The Monarchs should beat Benson this week to extend their record to 4-1. Running back Payton Trestito has been a leader, rushing for 525 and four scores.

12. Norfolk (3-1, 0-0 district)

Norfolk last Friday beat Fremont 35-6. This week will be rough, as the Panthers host Omaha Westside at home. Norfolk looks like an improved team this week, but Westside is just that good where we don’t see this being close. Norfolk should bounce back next week, though, against Lincoln Northeast.

13. Bellevue East (3-1, 0-0 district)

Bell East is coming off a 56-0 blowout win over Omaha Northwest, but will have its hands full Friday when it hits the road to face Gretna. East sports a 3-1 record, but its wins have come against struggling programs. We need to see some good wins for East to move up in our rankings.

14. Grand Island (3-1, 0-0 district)

The Islanders offense unleashed against Lincoln high last Friday, as they put up 62 points and pitched a shutout over the Links. Look for Grand Island to put up big numbers again this week against Fremont. A big Week 6 matchup is on the horizon, as the Islanders prep for undefeated Kearney.

15. Omaha Bryan (3-1, 0-0 district)

Bryan is one of the fun success stories in Class A this season. The Bears have overachieved thus far in this season, but their schedule has been light on tough opponents. Coming off a blowout win over Buena Vista, a matchup this week against Lincoln Southwest will tell us more about this team.

16. South Sioux City (4-0, 0-0 district)

South Sioux is off to a great start, but the opposition it faced has been extremely weak. Don’t be surprised if South Sioux runs into a buzzsaw this week when it faces 3-1 Millard West. We expect this one to get ugly in a hurry.

17. Papillion-La Vista South (3-2, 0-0 district)

Following back-to-back losses, PLVS got back to winning last week with a 51-8 victory over Omaha Burke. Look for the Titans to win this week against Omaha South before facing an uphill climb against Gretna Week 6. Quarterback Sam Schuler has had a good year, throwing for 720 yards and seven scores.

18. Lincoln North Star (2-2, 0-0 district)

This team outscored opponents 143-0 its first two games, but have been soundly beaten the last two. North Star will likely lose to Millard South this week, but should get back to winning when it faces Lincoln High Week 6. If the Navigators could be .500 after Week 6, chalk that up as a win.

19. Omaha Central (2-2, 0-0 district)

Central is coming off a 32-21 loss to Elkhorn South. Its next three games are pretty stacked: Omaha North, Creighton Prep and Papillion- La Vista. It would be a huge win if they could pull off a victory in two of these. Quarterback BJ Newsome has been steady for the Eagles this season, throwing for 553 and six scores.

20. Lincoln Southeast (2-2, 0-0 district)

Southeast is one of the teams that looks to be trending upward in Class A. The Knights fell their first two games, but have bounced back with wins over Papillion-La Vista and Lincoln North Star. The next two games against Millard North and Lincoln Southwest are both winnable.

21. Columbus (2-3, 0-0 district)

Columbus started the season 2-1, but has since dropped the last two. The last loss, to North Platte, was a game we would have expected this Discovers squad to win. It would be a great, redeeming win if Columbus could pull one out against Lincoln East on the road.

22. Bennington (4-0, 0-0 district)

A lot of questions have been answered about this Badgers team through four games. They are tough and can score points – we know this now. A good test will be this week when they face Elkhorn on the road Friday. Bennington is coming off a shutout win over Lincoln Pius X.

23. Elkhorn North (4-0, 0-0 district)

The Wolves won in dominating fashion last week, thumping Crete 58-6. Quarterback Ethan Beachy threw for 189 and a score, and Jett Tingelhoff rushed for 102 and three scores. Next up is Westview, which this team should beat, leading up to a Week 6 rivalry game against Elkhorn.

24. Scottsbluff (4-0 0-0 district)

Scottsbluff is coming off a 14-10 loss to York, but we believe this team still belongs in our Top 25. This week, they face 1-3 Grand Island Northwest which should enable them to get back in the win column. 

25. Waverly (4-0, 0-0 district)

Nolan Maahs rushed for 120 yards and four scores last Friday during a win over Norris. A big test lies on the horizon this Friday when they face York. While Maahs cleaned up with his legs last week, he will need to be better with his arm if Waverly wants to get a win over York. He threw two picks last game.

.Next 5 In: York, Skutt Catholic, Seward, Plattsmouth, Ralston

--Sam Pimper