Nebraska's Top 10 high school football games to see in October

Video: MaxPreps Minute - Nebraska
Host Chris Stonebraker takes us around the state in 60 seconds.

Elkhorn and Wahoo are just a couple of Nebraska cities that will be hosting October football games for the ages. In Elkhorn, Oct. 7, an almost certain No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown is on the slate in Class B, as the defending state football champion Storm travel a short distance to take on the Antlers. Both clubs are 5-0, much like Bishop Neumann and Wahoo, who are set to entertain prep football fans in the Cornhusker State with a Class C1 No. 1 vs. No. 3 showdown Oct. 21.

However, several other football games feature rivalries, great individual matchups and slugfests between powerhouse programs all across Nebraska. Buckle up your seatbelt in October and get ready for the football ride.


1. Class B No. 1 Elkhorn South (5-0) at Class B No. 2 Elkhorn (5-0), Oct. 7
The top line says it all. Two undefeated football teams ranked first and second from the same classification and, of course, from the same city battling it out on the gridiron. That's what "Friday Night" under the lights is all about. Oh, and did we mention Elkhorn South is the reigning Class B state football champion?

2. Class C1 No. 1 Bishop Neumann (Wahoo) (5-0) at Class C1 No. 3 Wahoo (5-0), Oct. 21
Known as the "Battle of Wahoo," Bishop Neumann owns a 47-38 advantage in this cross-town rivalry. Wahoo has been on the losing end nine times in the last 13 regular season tussles in this series, but those four wins have occurred in the last six seasons. The Cavaliers won 22-3 a year ago. The winner of this one will certainly grab plenty of momentum heading into the post-season and earn bragging rights for a year – unless, of course, they meet in the playoffs.

3. Class A No. 2 Bellevue West (5-0) at Class A No. 4 Omaha Burke (Omaha) (5-0), Oct. 21
As the state football playoffs were getting ready to roll in Nebraska last fall, Omaha Burke was forced to the sidelines for the first time since 2009. The Bulldogs last played for a state football title in 2011. Bellevue West, on the other hand, fell 35-34 to eventual Class A state football champion Millard North in overtime in the semifinals. Both schools would love to unseat the Mustangs, but first things first – finish the regular season unscathed, secure a district championship and earn a momentum-boosting win in this giant football game. 4. Class D2 No. 6 Sacred Heart (Falls City) (4-0) at Class D2 No. 2 Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (4-0), Oct. 7
Bruning-Davenport/Shickley has punched its ticket to the past two Class D2 state football championship contests, losing the first one and winning a state title a season ago. Sacred Heart meanwhile holds a post-season resume second to none. The Irish are winners of seven state football titles since 1989. Two great programs with a ton of history that are playing darn good football to this point in the season going at it on the gridiron? Count us in!

5. Class D6 No. 2 St. Edward (4-0) at Class D6 No. 1 Riverside (Cedar Rapids) (4-0), Oct. 7
This classic is a repeat of last season's 6-Man state football championship won by Riverside 72-18. Just because these two football programs have 29 athletes on their rosters collectively, doesn't mean they are void of exciting football players. Brayden Olson leads the Beaver attack with 829 yards rushing on 60 carries and has scored 17 touchdowns in four games. Olson has run for over 300 yards on two occasions in 2016. Riverside's attack is three fold, with Ty Martinsen, Trey Carraher and Noah Valasek all running for at least 300 yards on the season. Valasek leads the Chargers with 400 yards both running and throwing the football.

6. Class A No. 9 Pius X (Lincoln) (5-0) at Class A No. 1 Omaha North (5-0), Oct. 21
A year ago Pius X was playing Class B football. This fall they're slugging it out with their Class A brethren. Omaha North? Well, they just may be back on top.

7. Class A No. 8 Lincoln Southeast (4-1) at Class A No. 10 Grand Island (3-2), Oct. 21
Lincoln Southeast's Brian Meyer leads Class A with five interceptions to date. Payton Kinne of Grand Island (25 catches for 419 yards), who has five picks as well, leads Nebraska's big schools with eight touchdowns catching the football – in just five games. Don't know how many times these guys will tangle in this contest, but that match-up is worth much more than the price of admission. Oh, and by the way, both of these clubs are still vying for a playoff spot.

8. Class C2 No. 4 Centennial (Utica) (5-0) at Class C2 No. 6 Sutton (5-0), Oct. 21
Centennial enters this battle with a balanced attack centered on the arm of signal caller Wyatt Ehlers, the legs of Ryan Schlueter, and a rather stingy defense. Sutton will counter with the running of Garrett Leach (99-673, 9 TDs), owner of Class C2's fourth best rushing total to date. The Broncos have given up just more than 10 points an outing and have posted two straight shut outs. Sutton's defense yields about 15 points per game.

9. Class D1 No. 9 Heartland (Henderson) (3-1) at Superior (3-1), Oct. 7
Heartland's Austin Stuhr has scored 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,360 yards on 119 carries in just four football games this fall. Superior's defense has given up a mere six scores collectively in three straight wins after beginning the season 0-1. Something's got to give here. Right?

10. Class C2 Ponca (3-2) vs. the remainder of its schedule – Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14 and 21
At 3-2 Ponca isn't a lock to make the Nebraska state football playoffs. But should the Indians win their final four football encounters, they'd be a shoe-in for the postseason. Ponca concludes September with a battle versus previous No. 1 Battle Creek (4-1), and then opens October with contests against Stanton (4-1), on the road, Lutheran High Northeast (4-1) and at second-ranked Hartington Cedar Catholic (5-0). In all, their final four foes are a collective 17-3 on the season.