Nebraska's football season ready to kick off

Loaded with talent, Millard North and Crete are the picks in Class A and B; Husker-bound linemen Reeves and Sterup are state's top recruits.

By
Aug 25, 2010, 9:21am
Across Nebraska, from Omaha to Scottsbluff and every point in between, the upcoming football season figures to be very exciting. The University of Nebraska – everybody's favorite team in the Cornhusker State – has returned to the Top 10 of the college rankings to the start the year, and competition for each of the six high school state titles appears to be wide open.

MaxPreps predicts the 2010 state champion in each class.

Class A: Millard North (Omaha) (last year’s record: 5-5)
A program that loses seven of its last 12 games is rarely favored to win it all the next season. But not many programs have the combination of returning talent and a tradition of excellence possessed by the Mustangs. Coach Fred Petito led North to five championship games with two titles in the last decade. He has 15 starters back including starting Iowa-bound safety Cole Fisher, starting quarterback Kyle Erickson and three outstanding offensive linemen.
Rounding out the top five: Millard South (Omaha) 13-0, Creighton Prep (Omaha) 7-3, Millard West (Omaha) 10-3, Lincoln Southwest 7-4.
Darkhorse: Omaha Central 4-6.

Class B: Crete (6-5)
There's just too much talent returning to not love the Cardinals' chances for a fourth state title since 2000. An experienced offensive line is anchored by Nebraska recruit Ryne Reeves. They'll open holes for punishing 1,000-yard rusher Brock Sherman.
Rounding out the top five: Aurora 13-0, Elkhorn 9-3 in Class A, Gross Catholic (Omaha) 7-3, Beatrice 4-5.
Darkhorse: Pius X (Lincoln) 4-5.

Class C1: Norfolk Catholic (12-1)
The Knights have the talent and experience to capture their seventh state championship. There are five returning starters on both sides of the ball. The defense allowed only 11 points per game last season and special teams feature Drew Farlee, an all-state kicker as a sophomore.
Rounding out the top five: Bishop Neumann (Wahoo) 7-4, Pierce 5-4, Broken Bow 11-1, Chadron 9-1.
Darkhorse: Wahoo 6-4.

Class C2: St. Cecilia (Hastings) (13-0)
The Bluehawks drop down a class this season after winning the C1 championship twice in the last decade (2000 and 2009). The most imposing player on their roster clearly is 6-foot-9, 265-pound Nebraska recruit Zach Sterup.
Rounding out the top five: Aquinas (David City) 11-1, Crofton 9-2, Archbishop Bergan (Fremont) 7-3, Elmwood-Murdock (Murdock) 8-3.
Darkhorse: Kearney Catholic 4-5.

Class D1: Bancroft-Rosalie (Bancroft) (10-1)
Led by returning all-state quarterback Alex Berg, the Panthers have a great chance to win their first state title since 1999.
Rounding out the top five: Johnson-Brock (Johnson) 11-1*, Creighton 8-3 in C2, Overton 9-2, West Point Central Catholic (West Point) 5-4. (* = Ineligible for the playoffs in 2010).
Darkhorse: Axtell 7-3.

Class D2: Howells (12-1)
Last year's D1 champion returns seven starters including all-state linebacker Cory Brester and quarterback Mitch Belina.
Rounding out the top five: St. Francis (Humphrey) 13-0, Giltner 11-2, Sargent 8-3, Hayes Center 11-2.
Darkhorse: Eustis-Farnam (Eustis) 7-3.

Recruiting: Nebraska’s top 10 prospects for the Class of 2010
1. Ryne Reeves (6-3, 290, Crete): A first team All-Nebraska selection as a junior; he projects as a guard or center at the next level. Committed to Nebraska.

2. Zach Sterup (6-9, 265, St. Cecilia): An offensive tackle who absolutely towers over and engulfs defensive linemen. Also a good basketball player, an indicator he should have enough athleticism to develop his game as the level of competition improves exponentially. Committed to Nebraska.

3. Daniel Davie (6-1, 185, Beatrice): A "slash" offensive player and defensive back who has blazing speed and barely has scratched the surface of his potential. Committed to Nebraska.

4. Cole Fisher (6-3, 200, Millard North): A big, rangy free safety who packs a punch; is likely to move to linebacker in college. Committed to Iowa.

5. Teddy Lampkin (5-9, 170, Omaha Central): Last year's state champion in the long and triple jumps, this speedster is ready for a big senior season on the gridiron. Committed to Iowa State.

6. Derrius Vick (6-2, 185, Lincoln Southeast): A good all-around athlete and one of the top returning quarterbacks in the state. Has an offer from Colorado State.

7. Nate Skold (6-8, 270, Omaha Westside): His best football may still be ahead of this huge young man; the great size college coaches like is certainly there. Has an offer from Tulane.

8. Jimmie Forsythe (5-11, 175, Burke (Omaha)): An excellent dual threat quarterback who could be a playmaker at another skill position in college. Is still awaiting his first FBS offer.

9. Quentin Urban (5-9, 185, Millard South): Urban lacks size and jaw-dropping straight-ahead speed, but is a tremendous playmaker and can find a spot on either side of the ball. Is still awaiting his first FBS offer.

10. Brock Sherman (6-1, 225, Crete): A big and physical fullback prospect who ran for more than 1,500 yards as a junior. Is still awaiting his first FBS offer.

Nebraska’s top five juniors
1. Mike Shoff (OL) Cambridge
2. Tay Bender (QB-DB) Lincoln Southwest
3. Joe Jasnowski (TE-DE) Creighton Prep
4. Garrett Johns (OL-DL) Aurora
5. Bo Liekhus (DB) Bellevue West

Jamie DeMoney has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years. He is editor and founder of PrepNation.com. You can reach him at PrepNation@aol.com.

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