Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Tyrone Sellers, Sr., DE, McCook
Sellers was the only junior selected to the defensive unit on the All-Nebraska teams last year. The 6-4, 215-pound defensive end racked up 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 51 solo tackles and 22 assists. The McCook senior has already committed to University of Kansas. Returning State Leaders – Passing: Bronson Marsh, Millard South, 2,435 yards; Rushing: Nick Failla, Millard North, 1,845 yards, 25 TDs.
Best All-Time Player: Gale Sayers, Omaha
Although he was known as the Kansas Comet, Sayers attended high school in Omaha before going on to an All-American career with the Jayhawks. He earned Rookie of the Year honors after a spectacular first year in the NFL that saw him score an NFL record 22 touchdowns. Knee injuries cut short his career, limiting him to just seven years (1965-1971). He became the youngest inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1977.
2008 Must See: Plainview vs. Wakefield
Class C2 powerhouse Wakefield has gone undefeated the past two seasons, going 13-0 in 2006 and 2007. The Trojans host the Plainview Pirates on Sept. 5 in a battle between the two most recent Class C2 state champions. Plainview won it all in 2005. Wakefield is 26-0 since 2005. The last team to defeat the Trojans? Plainview.
On The Throne: Millard North
The Mustangs have been the top team in Nebraska the past five seasons (49-15 over that span), winning a state title in 2005 and finishing second to Omaha Central last year. Millard North could make another run at a state crown this year thanks to the return of All-State running back Nick Failla, who ran for 1,845 yards and threw for 477.
Best Rivalry: Millard North vs. Millard South vs. Millard West
The three schools in the Millard School district rank as three of the largest in the state. Millard North and Millard South kicked off the season the past two years with Millard South winning both games. The contest has been switched to the final game of the season for both schools, set for Oct. 24. Although in the same city, Millard North plays in a different district than Millard West and Millard South. Millard West, which was established in 1995, has also developed a rivalry with its North and South counterparts, defeating both teams during the regular season. However North defeated West in the Class A semifinals.
Future Star(s): Bronson Marsh, Jr, QB, Millard South
Marsh was the second leading passer in Nebraska last year as a sophomore, throwing for 2,435 yards in 11 games for Millard South.
Fun Fact
Elgin, a town of just 700 people, had two schools reach the state playoffs in 2007. Pope John went 13-0 and won the Class D1 championship while Elgin was 12-1 and lost in the Class D2 finals. Despite being in the same small town, Elgin and Pope John have not played each other in over five years.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR – Ty Kidlow, Millard South
WR – Greg Hardin, Bellevue West
WR – Vondrae Tostenson, Millard South
WR – Justin Coleman, Beatrice
OL – Cole Pensick, Lincoln NE
OL – Craig Herman, Millard West
OL – Matt Sterup, Hastings
OL – Jon Lechner, Creighton
OL – Scott Criss, Creighton
QB – Tyler Seals, Bellevue West
QB – Bronson Marsh, Millard South
RB – Nick Failla, Millard North
RB – Eric Koelhmoos, Pierce
RB – Matt Berry, McCook
ATH – Dylan McGill, Wahoo Bishop Neumann
K – Billy Margrave, Chadron
DL – Tyrone Sellers, McCook
DL – Cody Kerr, Blue Hill
DL – Eric Cummings, Burke
LB – Marcus Hall-Oliver, Omaha Central
LB – CJ Zimmerer, Omaha Gross
LB – Chris Schleeman, McCook
LB – Justin Small, Hastings
LB – Ian Miner, Wakefield
LB – Jack Saxton, Burke
DB – Jordan Hale, Millard South
DB – Pat Campbell, Stanton
DB – Jake Marousek, Burke
DB – Brent Webb, Bellevue West
P – Michael Ziola, Columbus
State Preview Video
