After forfeiting Class A state title a year ago, Dragons are motivated to win it all in 2022.
The high school football season in Nebraska kicks off this weekend with a handful of games before going into overdrive with 137 contests Aug. 25-27. After going 12-1 and claiming a 7-3 Class A state football championship win over Omaha Westside last season,
Gretna headlines our look at this year's contenders in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Although the Dragons did win what would have been their first large school state football title on the football field a year ago, head coach Mike Kayl and the Dragons vacated the state championship trophy, the title itself and forfeited their wins after it was determined that Gretna used an ineligible player. Kayl's players were allowed to keep their state championship gold medals.
Kayl returns plenty of talent, including quarterback
Zane Flores, committed to Oklahoma State, as the Dragons make another run at the big school state title. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 190-pound senior completed 232 of 331 aerials for 2,885 yards and 26 touchdowns to just seven interceptions last fall. He also ran the ball for 216 yards and 10 scores on 74 carries. For his career, Flores has thrown for over 6,000 yards and 51 scores.
Flores' favorite target a year ago was senior wide receiver
Joe Roll (5-10, 175), who returns after catching 53 balls for 877 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago. Senior
Caleb Schnell (6-3, 200) reeled in 33 aerials from Flores for 529 yards and a pair of scores.
Mason Goldman was credited with 18 tackles, five tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks a year ago. The 6-6, 260-pound offensive tackle is projected by 247Sports to end up at the University of Kansas.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kayl returns senior defensive end
Korver Demma (6-3, 215), who played his way into 54 tackles, eight tackles for losses and seven sacks as a junior. Senior outside linebacker
Blayke Moore (6-2, 200) comes back for a final season after making 74 tackles and picking off five enemy passes a year ago.
Defending Class B champion
Bennington lost 3,000-yard rusher and MaxPreps state Player of the Year Dylan Mostek to graduation. But the Badgers, who went 13-0 a year ago, return some outstanding talent and are the No. 2 pick in the Cornhusker State. Senior signal caller
Trey Bird (6-1, 160) returns after completing 117 of 184 passes for 2,181 yards and 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Coach Greg Bohn also returns senior back
Nick Colvert (5-8, 150) and defensive end
Ethan Nguyen (6-4, 230).
Gretna opens the season against Omaha Burke and Omaha Central on back-to-back weekends beginning Aug. 25 before hosting big school power Omaha Creighton Prep, our No. 15 squad, Sept. 9. The Dragons then travel to No. 17 Millard South the next weekend and also go toe to toe with No. 10 Bellevue West, Sept. 30, and No. 23 Papillion-LaVista South, Oct. 6.
Bennington, meanwhile, locks horns with always tough Omaha Skutt Catholic, Aug. 26, before tangling with No. 24 Plattsmouth on the road, Sept. 2, and hosting No. 21 Elkhorn, Sept. 23.
Read on for a complete look at Nebraska's preseason Top 25 for 2022.
Gretna quarterback Zane Flores is back to lead the top-ranked Dragons in 2022 as they seek redemption after having to vacate their 2021 state title.
Photo: Sam
1.
Gretna, 12-1 (0-9 after forfeits) in 2021
2.
Bennington, 13-0
3.
Omaha Westside (Omaha), 12-1
4.
Pierce, 10-3
5.
Ord, 10-2
6.
Ashland-Greenwood (Ashland), 10-1
7.
Archbishop Bergan (Fremont), 13-0
8.
Aurora, 10-3
