Top 25 Nebraska high school football rankings (9/6/2023)

What a show Millard South displayed Friday night, en route to shutting out Elkhorn South. Elkhorn South, No. 2 in last week’s rankings, fell 33-0. This is an energized Patriots offense that can put up points in a hurry, balanced by a stout defense. As a result, they moved up five places in this week’s rankings. 

1. Omaha Westside (2-0, 0-0 district)  

Westside dismantled Grand Island in 45-0 fashion Friday night. Through the Warriors first two games, they’ve piled on the points while allowing just a single score. Quarterback Anthony Rezac has tossed four scores on the season and is looking like the leader behind this team. Westside has a huge game Friday at No. 8 Bellevue West.

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

Millard South climbs five spots this week in our rankings following a 33-0 shutout of Elkhorn South. The Patriots, thus far, have passed the eye test and have looked stout on offense, as well as on defense this past game. The Patriots forced the Storm to punt 11 times en route to the victory. They Play crosstown rival Millard North this week.

3. Gretna (2-0, 0-0 district)

Gretna beat Omaha Central 48-28 Friday. A big matchup looms this Friday, as the Dragons face a Creighton Prep squad coming off a win. Quarterback Alex Wilcoxon has thrown for five scores and 339 yards this year, and running back Isaiah Webber has three rushing scores.

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

Week 1 was rough for the Wildcats, losing 28-27 to Millard South. They regrouped though, and won a tough one against a very good Omaha North squad this past by a 19-16 score. West showed grit and resilience, finding a way to bounce back from such an emotional Week 1 disappointment. The Wildcats should get above .500 this week as they face Omaha Burke.

5. Omaha North (1-1)

Omaha North Fell 19-16 to Millard West, coming off of the high of dominating Bellevue West a week prior. This is a good team, though, and look for them to regroup and beat Columbus this week. Columbus is very winnable, and it’s no time for North to wallow – it’s time to get back to work and get back on track.

6. Papillion-La Vista (2-0, 0-0 district)

The Monarchs move up from our No. 11 spot a week prior, beating crosstown rival Papillion-La Vista South 28-7. We had PLVS in our No. 10 spot a week ago after they jumped out to a 2-0 start. It’s another winnable game for the Monarch’s Friday, as they head to Lincoln Southwest for a Friday night game.

7. Kearney (3-0, 0-0 district)

Kearney thumped Fremont 41-6 this past week and is looking like it has caught its stride early in the year. Senior Able Molina rushed for 166 yards and three scores en route to the Bearcats dominating win. Kearney plays next at home against unbeaten Lincoln North Star.

8. Bellevue West (2-1, 0-0 district)

The Thunderbirds came back from their loss to Omaha North by beating Omaha Burke 48-28. Nebraska commit Daniel Kaelin threw for 200 yards and two scores, and tailback CJ Gauff added two touchdowns, as well. Next up is a huge showdown against defending state champion Omaha Westside at home.

9. Elkhorn South (1-1, 0-0 district)

Elkhorn South is coming off a surprising 33-0 loss to Millard South, though it didn’t help that starting Storm quarterback Carson Rauner left the game with a second-quarter injury. Last week, we had the Storm in our No. 2 spot. If Rauner is out for an extended period of time, it doesn’t bode well for Elkhorn South. Up next Friday is Papillion-La Vista South.

10. Creighton Prep (1-2, 0-0 district)

Prep finally picked up its first win of the season after starting with a brutal two-game stretch against Omaha Westside and Bellevue West. Last Friday, they picked up a 24-19 win over Millard North to get back on track. Friday’s matchup at Millard West should tell us a lot more about this Junior Jay squad.

11. Papillion-La Vista South (2-1, 0-0 district)

PLVS started the year 2-0, but we may have given them a little too much credit, as those wins came against Fremont and North Platte. Neither team has a win this season. After falling to crosstown rival Papillion-La Vista 28-7 last Friday, the Titans will look to get back on track this week as they face Elkhorn South. We give the Storm the nod in this game.

12. Norfolk (2-0, 0-0 district)

The Panthers took care of business week one against Columbus, and followed it up with a 27-0 shutout win over Bellevue East. Norfolk looks like it may be improved from a year ago, it’s just tough to tell at this point since the competition hasn’t been stiff yet. We like Norfolk to get to 3-0 this week when they face Grand Island.

13. Omaha Bryan (2-0, 0-0 district)

Bryan took care of business last Friday, beating Omaha Benson 61-0. Starting 2-0, this Friday’s matchup against 1-1 Bellevue East will be more of a test. We have this as a 50/50 game. Quarterback Coryion Perry is off to a hot start, throwing for 434 yards and six scores. Running back Braylon Rogers has added five scores this year, as well.

14. Lincoln North Star (2-1, 0-0 district)

This Navigator offense looks good – they’ve outscored their first two opponents 143-0 over the past two games. Clearly, the defense has been stout too; however, they haven’t played any real difficult competition. That changes Friday when North Star heads to Kearney. This Bearcat team is no Benson or Lincoln Northeast. We like Kearney to win this game, perhaps soundly.

15. Columbus (2-1, 0-0 district)

Columbus picked up a win to start the year over Fremont before falling to rival Norfolk 28-14. Last Friday, they picked up a good win over Lincoln Southwest. This week, the Discoverers face 1-1 Omaha North. Sophomore Michael Voichoskie has been a leader on the ground for Columbus, rushing for three scores. He will need to get in the end zone a few times for Columbus to have a chance against North.

16. South Sioux City (2-0, 0-0 district)

South Sioux is undefeated, but it’s been a very soft schedule to open the year. Last Friday, they beat Sioux City West 46-14. This team very well could start 4-0 before heading into a buzzsaw against Millard West week five. This week, they play at home against Omaha Northwest.

17. Lincoln Southwest (1-1, 0-0 district)

Southwest fell last week 24-21 to Columbus, a week after blanking Lincoln High in its opener. It will be an interesting matchup Friday for the Silverhawks against Lincoln East, which picked up a double overtime win over Lincoln Southeast. This is a young Southwest team, being led by a freshman quarterback in Brockston Teply. Reply has thrown for four scores on the year.

18. Bellevue East (1-1, 0-0 district)

It was a rough one last week, as East got shutout 27-0 by Norfolk. The Chieftains next two games against Omaha Bryan and Omaha Northwest are winnable, though, and could help this team gain some much-needed confidence. Senior quarterback Mason Chandler leads Bellevue East with five scores on the season.

19. Omaha Central (1-1, 0-0 district)

Central lost 48-28 to Gretna, but we expect them to get back on track this week during a matchup with Lincoln High. Consistent play from quarterback BJ Newsome will be needed, as will a strong rushing attack from running back Kylonn Haynie.

20. Lincoln High (1-1, 0-0 district)

Lincoln High opened its season with a 35-0 loss to Lincoln Southwest, and responded last week with a 35-0 win of its own over Omaha Northwest. This week, the Links face 1-1 Omaha Central. We give the nod to the Eagles in this early season matchup.

21. Grand Island (1-1, 0-0 district)

Grand Island is coming off a disappointing 45-0 loss to Omaha Westside. The Islanders look to right the ship this week against 2-0 Norfolk. Quarterback Bode Albers has some talent, and we are interested to see what he is able to do against the Panthers.

22. Bennington (2-0, 0-0 district)

Bennington, the back-to-back Class B champs, make their way into our top 25 this week. There are some questions still regarding the Badgers, but they are off to a 2-0 start to the season and deserve some respect. This week’s matchup is a big one against York, and will be a tone setter for either squad if they can win.

23. York (2-0, 0-0 district)

York has looked sound this year, and its defense has yet to allow a point. Its biggest test thus far comes against Bennington this week. We give York a slight edge in this game, but have Bennington a spot ahead as a result of being undefeated returning state champs.

24. Lincoln East (1-1, 0-0 district)

East is coming off of a 21-28 double overtime win against Lincoln Southeast. This week, they face Lincoln Southwest. We give Southwest an edge in this game, as East has still shown to be vulnerable in several different areas.

25. Scottsbluff (2-0)

Class B Scottsbluff enters our top 25 this week after beating Class A North Platte 24-21. Division 1 recruit Sebastien Boyle rushed for 150 yards and a score en route to the victory. Scottsbluff faces Frederick (Colorado) this week. Frederick hasn’t won a game this season.

Next 5 in: Millard North, Lincoln Southeast, Gross Catholic, Seward, Ralston