Nebraska
Nebraska Prep Football Class A Linebackers To Watch in 2024
Of all the defensive positions, the Linebacker slot is the one that intrigues me
the most. The man in the middle with his hands planted firmly on top of his kneecaps, surveying the upcoming play with the eyes of a hawk.
I became spoiled watching the incomparable LaVonte David play for the Huskers, uncorking some of the greatest lateral movement I have ever seen.
It takes a real Athlete to man that Linebacker position at any level of football, so I have decided to salute those players I think have a huge impact under those sacred Friday Night Lights in each class.
I’ll begin with Class A Linebackers who strike fear into the hearts of anyone with a football in their hands.
CLASS A
*Christian Jones-Omaha Westside-6’3, 225, Senior – Top LB in the state. Saw him play twice last season and there’s a reason he has a gazillion D1 offers. Jones will make a smooth transition from Friday Night Lights to the Saturday afternoon spotlight.
*Pierce Mooberry-Millard North- 6’4, 215, Senior – Husker commit has incredible athletic skills and has for quite some time. A true BALLER.
*Sawyer Schilke-Kearney, 6’3, 225, Senior – Good lord! This dude swallows up ball carriers like they’re an afternoon snack. You also better hope Schilke isn’t rushing off the edge because if he is, you’re done. Sawyer Schilke is one mean motor scooter.
*Dylan Kuhl-Millard South-5’11, 195, Senior – Talk about lateral movement. Kuhl was all over, across, up and down the football field with frequent visits to the opposition’s backfield. Every game. Perfect model of a championship high school linebacker.
*Cash Buettenback-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘0, 210, Senior – Great footwork, fine speed and this guy will hunt you down, shed blockers and make the tackle. Cash is Money on Friday nights.
*Nate Appleget-Lincoln Southeast-6 ‘3, 200, Junior – Buettenback’s LB partner in that Knight’s defensive middle, Nate is quick off the ball and fast enough to cover speedy wide receivers. Great vision and a nose for the ball.
*McCorter Goese-Elkhorn South, 6 ‘1, 210, Senior – Last I checked, Goese was benching 320 and it showed on the field a year ago. McCorter sets the tone for physicality on this Elkhorn South football team and uses his 4.8 speed to stuff the run game big time. This young man is a BALLER!
*Kale Johnson-Papillion-La Vista, 6 ‘3, 225, Senior – Reminds me of a bigger Nate Appleget with his 4.8 speed and keen ability to cover receivers. Very smart football player who is patient and usually tracks down the man with the ball and snuffs out the play.
*Ben Shafer-Papillion-La Vista South, 6’2, 205, Senior – This Shafer kid is literally EVERYHERE on defense! Ben’`s HUDL film clips list him as MLB, OLB, DE, RB and ATH. They are not kidding. Shafer, who has 4.6 speed and can lift a small building, is a real menace rushing off the end. Goo1d grief, Shafer is on the man with the ball before anyone has a remote shot of blocking him. Ben also accumulated 532 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns as a running back. Can you say Swiss Army Knife?
*Jameson Rayner-Millard South, 5’11, 200, Senior – Really, really terrific MLB, in fact, Rayner is the leading returning tackler in Class A. The man knows where the football is on every play. Jameson also brings the wood with every hit. Smart football mind with that internal radar that ball carriers fear.
……AND, the rest of the top notch Linebackers in the Class A ranks.
*Johnny Hurtado-Omaha Westside-5’10, 215, Senior
*Ian Asselin-Omaha Creighton Prep, 6’1, 180, Senior
*Max Clark-Omaha North, 6’2, 220, Junior
Nebraska
Nebraska outfielder Will Jesske coaches local legion team
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — After a hamstring injury during Nebraska’s baseball season, Will Jesske was advised to take it easy this summer. He is, but Jesske has found a new way to stay involved in the game.
Jesske is coaching a local legion baseball team. He is a volunteer assistant for Lincoln Hotel Group, the senior legion team for Standing Bear High School.
Jesske, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, describes himself as the “hype man” in the LHG dugout. He brings energy and enthusiasm, which players enjoy. Jesske said coaching is a way he can give back to local players while helping LHG’s coaching staff. Jesske played under Tanner Lewis and Kyle Beacom in high school. They now lead the LHG legion program.
Jesske is entering his senior season at Nebraska. He has appeared in 95 games over his career, including 33 during the Huskers’ 43-win season this spring. Jesske was injured early in the season but played through it as Nebraska hosted an NCAA regional. He hit .318 in his junior season. Jesske said he is fully healthy and credited extended rest with his recovery.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari wanted in Lincoln, accused of assaulting pregnant woman
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Former Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari is wanted in Lancaster County on suspicion of assaulting a pregnant woman in May.
An arrest warrant was filed for Ferrari on Thursday. He faces three felony charges which include first-degree false imprisonment and assault by strangling a pregnant woman.
According to an arrest affidavit, a woman from California contacted police in Lincoln on May 8 just after midnight. She told officers her daughter called for help and pointed them to Ferrari’s apartment.
Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. A pregnant woman came out after several minutes of knocking with no answer. Officers said the woman was visibly upset.
She told officers that Ferrari tried taking her phone away after an argument, but she wouldn’t let him take it. The arrest affidavit shows Ferrari then dragged her off a bed by her feet.
Police think Ferrari then got on top of her and strangled her, likely until she was unconscious. The woman told police that she felt as though her throat “collapsed” and that she was “breathing through a straw.”
Once regaining consciousness, police said the woman tried hiding in a closet and contacting her mother on another device. But Ferrari followed her, pushed her onto a bed and sat on her until she apologized, according to the affidavit.
She apologized in order to be released, police said. The woman then tried to leave the apartment, but police said Ferrari dragged her by the arm back inside. She found her phone and contacted her mother, yelling “help!”, prosecutors wrote.
Ferrari grabbed the phone and hung up, according to the affidavit. The woman’s mother tried calling several more times before calling police.
Authorities transported the woman to Bryan West for treatment. Officers said she sustained injuries consistent with strangulation, including bruising around her neck and other abrasions.
Last weekend, Ferrari was arrested in Lincoln County on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and obstructing the police. He was cited after a trooper chased a Corvette in the North Platte area.
Lincoln County authorities told KOLN that Ferrari is out on bond. His current whereabouts are unclear.
Court records show that the woman has filed for a protection order against Ferrari. A hearing has been set for July 7 to give him an opportunity to show the court why one should not be issued.
Previously, Ferrari was booked in Lancaster County, Nebraska for an outstanding warrant in January of this year, but those charges were dismissed later that week.
Ferrari parted ways with the Huskers in April of this year.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Discounted tickets for Nebraska State Fair over 4th of July Weekend
The Nebraska State Fair is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 72-hour flash sale on Season Passes.
From July 3 through July 5, fans can purchase a 2026 Season Pass for just $50—a significant discount from its regular value of $132.
The pass includes one admission per day for all 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, making it ideal for visitors who plan to attend multiple days.
Fair officials say the promotion is one of the biggest Season Pass discounts offered in years and will not be extended.
After July 5, Season Passes will remain available at a higher discounted price.
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