Top 25 Nebraska high school football rankings (10/10/2023)

In a battle of the unbeatens, Westside showcased a completely lopsided performance over Kearney. The Warriors jumped out to a 56-0 lead at half, and Westside’s backups closed the show in the second half. Jahmez Ross rushed for 216 yards and three scores, and quarterback Anthony Rezac threw for 227 and three scores. The dominant showing pushed Westside to its 14th straight win.

1. Omaha Westside (7-0, 3-0 district) 

It was complete domination for Omaha Westside, as they rolled past Kearney 56-0 last Friday. It was 56-0 at the break, and then the Warriors backups finished off the shutout. The Warriors truly were firing on all cylinders, and this one could have been far uglier than this score even indicates. Next up is a huge one at unbeaten Millard South. 

2. Millard South (7-0, 3-0 district)

The Patriots didn’t have their strongest showing of the year against Columbus, but managed to pull off a 14-10 win. A lot more will be needed if South wants a shot at an upset over No. 1 Westside this week. This one could be close initially, but we expect Westside to pull away in the latter quarters.

3. Omaha North (6-1, 2-0 district)

The Vikings scored 35 in the opening quarter against Fremont and never looked back, pitching a 55-0 shutout last Thursday. This week, North hits the road for a district matchup against Grand Island. We expect this to be a competitive game, but give the nod to North.

4. Elkhorn South (6-1, 3-0 district)

South made easy work of Grand Island last Week, throttling the Islanders 45-10. This week, don’t be surprised if the score is uglier as the Storm faces a struggling Omaha Burke squad. The regular season concludes for South on Oct. 20 when they face Omaha North. Mark your calendars for this one.

5. Bellevue West (5-3, 3-0 district)

Bellevue West is doing exactly what it needs to do and is poised for a favorable playoff draw. The Thunderbirds have a bye this week before facing Papillion-La Vista South the following, concluding its regular season.

6. Kearney (6-1, 1-1 district)

It was a rough, rough Friday for Kearney, as it lost 56-0 to Omaha Westside. There really are no positive takeaways for the Bearcats in this one, other than the fact that Westside truly is that dominant of a squad and likely will continue displaying video game numbers against solid Class A competition all the way to State Finals.

7. Gretna (5-2, 2-1 district)

It was a ground dominant attack last Friday, as Gretna beat Papillion-La Vista South 45-26. The Dragons relied heavily on running back Isaiah Weber, who rushed for 173 yards and four scores. This Friday, the Dragons play Omaha South, a game they should win, before wrapping their regular season up against Lincoln East.

8. Millard West (5-2, 2-1 district)

West is coming off a surprising 21-10 loss to Lincoln Southeast. This week, the Wildcats face Lincoln Southwest. This is a game they need to win to stay on track at this point in the season. The Wildcats regular season concludes in two weeks against Omaha Bryan.

9. Lincoln East (5-2, 2-1 district)

Jeter Worthley threw for 181 yards and two scores as East dominated Lincoln High 56-0 last week. This week, East faces 4-3 North Star, a game we expect the Spartans to win pretty easily. East closes its regular season out at home against Gretna.

10. Papillion-La Vista (6-1, 3-0 district)

It’s a big one this week for PLV, as it faces a rested Creighton Prep team coming off a bye week. Last week, PLV beat Omaha Central 28-7. We expect this one to be closer, and believe it’s a 50/50 matchup that could really go either way.

11. Lincoln Southeast (4-3, 2-1 district)

Southeast is a team trending in the right direction during district play. The Knights have won their last two games, and the final two matchups of the season against Omaha Bryan and South Sioux City look winnable, too. Next up is an away game at Bryan.

12. Creighton Prep (3-4, 2-0 district)

Prep is coming off a bye week, and heads right into a big game against Papillion-La Vista. PLV is coming off a 28-7 win over Omaha Central and has to be feeling good about its odds in this one. Prep, though, has looked better in its first two district matchups and is going to be fully rested. This will be one to watch.

13. Grand Island (4-3, 1-1 district)

Grand Island has lost its last two games, and the going doesn’t get easier this week when they face 6-1 Omaha North. Though we give North the nod in this one, don’t be surprised if the Islanders make a game of it.

14. Lincoln North Star (4-3, 1-1 district)

North Star won a nailbiter over Norfolk 22-19 last Friday. This week is a tough one, as the Navigators face a Lincoln East team that has been sound all season. We give East the nod in this one.

15. Norfolk (4-3, 1-1 district)

Last week’s loss to Lincoln North Star is one the Panthers would like to have back. The one bright spot is that It wasn’t a district matchup, and Norfolk has a very winnable district game this week against North Platte. We give the edge to the Panthers in this one.

16. Bennington (7-0, 3-0 district)

Peyton Sanmann three for three scores and running back Quinton Archer ran for another pair as Class B No. 1 Bennington rolled past Westview 56-0 last week. This week, the Badgers have by far their biggest challenge of the year, as they face undefeated Elkhorn North at home. Either team could win this game.

17. Elkhorn North (7-0, 3-0 district)

This week is the opportunity the Wolves have been waiting for all season, as they head to Bennington and look to show that they’re the best Class B team in the state. North is coming off a 41-0 win over Elkhorn Mt. Michael. The stakes are much, much higher this week.

18. South Sioux City (5-2, 1-2 district)

The Cardinals last week got blown out 58-21 against Lincoln Southwest. This week, we have Millard North picking up a win over the Cardinals. South Sioux had a pretty cake non-district schedule to start the year, but now the going is a lot tougher.

19. Papillion-La Vista South (4-3, 1-1 district)

PLVS is coming off a 45-26 loss against Gretna, but we think they will bounce back this week with a win over Bellevue East. It will be an important game for PLVS to win, and give them some needed momentum before closing out the regular season the following week against Bellevue West.

20. Bellevue East (4-3, 0-2 district)

The Chieftains are coming off a 53-14 loss to crosstown rival Bellevue West. We think that this week’s matchup against Papillion-La Vista south is going to be tough for East, as well. If they can get a win, though, they’d have a shot to close out the year with two district wins.

21. Lincoln Southwest (3-4, 2-1 district)

Southwest last week rolled over South Sioux City 58-21. This week, the Silverhawks face a Millard West team looking for some redemption after a surprising loss last week against Lincoln Southeast. We give the nod to Millard West, but this could be a good game.

22. Millard North (2-5, 2-1 district)

It has been an uncharacteristic year for Millard North, but they are 2-1 in district play and still have a legitimate shot at making playoffs. This week, they face 5-2 South Sioux City. We give North the edge in this matchup.

23. Waverly (7-0, 2-0 district)

Waverly is coming off a 46-6 win over Gretna East. Four different Vikings found the endzone en route to the dominant win. This week, Waverly faces 5-2 Seward. Seward may keep it close in the first half, but we expect Waverly to pull away in the third and fourth quarters.

24. Skutt Catholic (6-1, 2-0 district)

Skutt is coming off an impressive, 55-0 shutout over Ralston. This week, Skutt faces 6-1 Plattsmouth at home. We expect this to be a close game, and give a slight edge to the SkyHawks.

25. Plattsmouth (6-1, 2-0 district)

Plattsmouth last week dominated Buena Vista 70-0. Points will be harder to come by this week, when the Blue Devils face Skutt Catholic. Look for this one to be competitive, and maybe back and forth. We give the nod to Skutt, but won’t be surprised if we are wrong.

Next 5: York, Seward, Norris, North Platte, Lincoln High