The second round of the Nebraska Class A state playoffs are around the corner with some favorites as well as some surprises. With a few upsets in the first round, some intriguing matchups on the horizon this Friday, Nov. 4.
Here is a preview of all of the teams remaining in the playoffs, with their first round results and teams they face off in the second round.
No. 1 Omaha Westside Warriors
The No. 1 seeded Omaha Westside Warriors played the 16th seeded Papillion-La Vista Monarchs in the first round of the playoffs. The Warriors would go on and take care of business beating Papillion-La Vista 59-21.
Junior quarterback Anthony Rezac led the Warriors with over 230 yards passing and two touchdowns and as well 96 yards rushing with two touchdowns.
Omaha Westside hosts the No. 8 seeded Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
No. 2 Gretna Dragons
Senior running back Riley Egenberger led the Dragons offense with 13 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Helping the second seeded Dragons to pull away in a close one against 15th seeded Lincoln Southeast Knights 27-24.
Gretna hosts the seventh-seeded Bellevue West Thunderbirds Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. to continue their quest for a NSAA Class A State Championship.
No. 3 Elkhorn South Storm
Senior running back Cole Ballard and the No. 3 seeded Elkhorn South Storm won big against the 14th-seeded Lincoln East Spartans 48-20.
Ballard rushed for 246 yards on 17 carries and led the offense with 5 touchdowns against the Spartan defense.
Elkhorn South moves on to the second round and faces the No. 11 seeded Creighton Prep at home Friday, Nov 4 at 7 p.m.
No. 4 Grand Island Islanders
The No. 4 seeded Grand Island Islanders escaped with a close win last week against the No. 13 seeded Omaha North Vikings 27-24. Junior running back Caleb Richardson led the Islanders with 18 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Grand Island hosts the No. 12 seeded Millard South Patriots in the second round on Friday, Nov 4th at 7 p.m.
No. 7 Bellevue West Thunderbirds
Junior quarterback Daniel Kaelin passed for 246 yards on 19 of 29 pass attempts while adding 35 yards rushing for 7 total touchdowns for the Thunderbirds. This performance propelled the No. 7 seeded Thunderbirds over No. 10 seeded Papillion-La Vista South Titans 42-20.
Bellevue West travels on the road to take on the Gretna Dragons in a big second round matchup Friday, Nov 4 at 7 p.m.
No. 8 Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks
The No. 8 seeded Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawks are coming off a win against the No. 9 seeded Millard West Wildcats in the first round of the playoffs 31-17. Senior running back Cal Newell led the Silver Hawks with 36 carries for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Lincoln Southwest has a tough game ahead as they go on the road to take on the top seeded Omaha Westside Warriors on Friday, Nov 4th at 7 p.m.
No. 11 Creighton Prep Junior Jays
The No. 11 seeded Creighton Prep Junior Jays went on the road against fifth-seeded North Platte Bulldogs and came out with the upset 27-0. The Junior Jays rushing attack led the way with Ezra Vedral and CharMar Brown combined for over 170 yards rushing and three touchdowns combined.
With the upset, Creighton Prep goes on the road once again to take on the No. 3 seeded Elkhorn South Storm in the second round of the playoffs.
No. 12 Millard South Patriots
The No. 12 seeded Millard South Patriots went on the road as well and pulled off the upset against No. 5 seeded Kearney Bearcats 35-21. The Patriots were led by senior quarterback Camden Kozeal, who threw 12/17 199 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Millard South goes on the road again to take on the No. 4 seeded Grand Island Islanders in the second round of the playoffs Friday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.
