By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Class B is wasting no time in getting into premier match-ups that will undoubtedly separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Just four games highlighted the Week 0 slate, with Class B defending champion Crete getting off to a winning start as it rolled to a 33-6 victory over Seward. The Cardinals and quarterback John Leverson will not get a chance to rest as they travel to seventh-ranked Hastings this week.
Last season, Hastings lost to Crete in the opening round of the Class B playoffs to finish with a 5-5 record.
In other Class B action, Elkhorn and Trevor Robinson will travel to Beatrice to kick off their 2007 campaign. Lincoln Pius X will travel to Omaha Gross in a another game featuring ranked teams.
Omaha Creighton Prep will not have an easy task to rebound from an opening night upset loss to Millard West in Class A. The Junior Jays must pick up the pieces in a hurry as a battle against Omaha Central looms on Friday.
Speaking of Millard West, the Wildcats have an excellent chance to continue their newly found momentum. The task of continuing their upswing in momentum will not be easy, as they must face top-ranked Lincoln Southwest.
Top Games This Week/Predictions
CLASS A
Omaha Creighton Prep at #4 Omaha Central
Creighton Prep is too good to be down for very long. Unfortunately for them, Omaha Central stands in the way as the Junior Jays try to bring their record back to .500. Junior quarterback Alex Hook is the key for Prep, and its defense could be up to the task of stopping Central running back Ronnell Grixby.
Prediction: Creighton Prep 28, Omaha Central 23.
#1 Lincoln Southwest at #8 Millard West
It's not like Millard West came out of nowhere in its season-opening victory against Creighton Prep. West has a state title (2001) in its brief history. Lincoln Southwest was impressive in its opening week victory over Papillion-LaVista. Running back Brandon Brown and athlete Graham Stoddard had dominating performances and should not let up in game two for the Silver Hawks.
Prediction: Lincoln Southwest 35, Millard West 17.
CLASS B
#2 Crete at #7 Hastings
Leverson had a quiet night in the season-opener offensively, but did manage to wow the crowd with a one-handed interception and an apparent touchdown before being called back due to yellow laundry on the field. Leverson is still one of the best players in the state and will get on track at Hastings.
Prediction: Crete 27, Hastings 14.
#8 Lincoln Pius X at #6 Omaha Gross
The battle between these two Catholic schools will feature two of the most unheralded players in the state in Pius receiver K.C. Hyland and Gross junior linebacker C.J. Zimmerer. The Thunderbolts are looking to restore order after a `down year' in 2006, and will look for an early road victory to get back to respectability. Gross could be a serious player in the state title race.
Prediction: Omaha Gross 19, Lincoln Pius X 16.
#4 Elkhorn at #5 Beatrice
Elkhorn has been one of the state's top programs, with state titles in 1989, 1992, 1996, and 1999. The Antlers are looking to get back into the fray with a win over a tough Beatrice team. For all of their success in the past decade, the Orangemen do not have any silverware to show for it.
Prediction: Elkhorn 31, Beatrice 20.
CLASS C-2
#8 Stanton at Creighton
This could be a good barometer for two northeast Nebraska teams attempting to make a serious push as eighth-ranked Stanton travels to Creighton, which just missed out on the Preseason Top Ten by a nose.
Creighton is coming off a 10-2 mark last season and has a solid athletic threat in Adam Fuchtman. Fuchtman caught five touchdown passes a junior. Stanton's Taylor Caldwell rushed for 811 yards last season for the Mustangs.
Prediction: Creighton 27, Stanton 24
Worth Noting: Falls City Sacred Heart coach Doug Goltz picked up his 200th win in a 62-16 victory over Pawnee City in week 0. The Goltz-led program won six straight state championships from 1989 through 1994.
Week 0 Player of the Week: Lee Horky- QB- Fairbury
In a 47-6 victory over Fillmore Central to open the 2007 season, Fairbury junior quarterback Lee Horky was 20 of 28 passing for 322 yards and five touchdowns. As a sophomore, Horky threw for 1,224 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jeffs.
Horky threw for 264 yards in the first half for the Jeffs as they raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead.
Honorable Mention:
Bronson Marsh- QB -Millard South: So much for a rebuilding year at quarterback for the Patriots. Marsh was sensational as Millard South defeated Millard North. In his first career start, Marsh threw for 257 yards and a pair of scores in the 24-14 victory.
Joey Spellerberg- QB -Fremont Archbishop Bergan: Spellerberg introduced the Bergan faithful to the new run and gun offense with 219 passing yards and a touchdown in a 20-0 victory over highly-touted Elmwood-Murdock.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net