By Nathan Charles  

Every of the highest three groups confronted a top-25 showdown this week however weren’t considerably challenged in any of them. Aurora knocked off one of many remaining remaining unbeatens in Class C-1. Bennington continues to appear like the very best of Class B. Millard South and Millard West proceed to climb after powerful begins to the season. 

No. 1 Elkhorn South defeated No. 5 Grand Island 423

The Storm blitzed the Islanders from the get-go and received their fifth in a row by 30 or extra factors. Elkhorn South had scoring performs on a 37-yard go, 84-yard run and 4-yard run earlier than the sport was 12 minutes previous. It was 28-0 when GI lastly received on the board with 3:14 left within the first half. Cole Ballard ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns whereas quarterback Carson Rauner had 294 whole yards of offense and touchdowns by the air and together with his legs. The Storm are 7-0.

No. 2 Gretna defeated No. 11 Papillion-La Vista South 41-27

The Dragons led 27-6 however have been watching a possible tie late within the third quarter when defensive finish Korver Demma intercepted a deflected go and took it 40 yards for a landing. That play shifted momentum again to Gretna after Papio South took a three-touchdown lead into the break. Demma additionally recovered a fumble on the following drive that led to a Zane Flores landing go moments later. The win primarily offers Gretna the district title with solely Omaha South left to play in district competitors. If the Dragons can end off the final two video games it’ll be their first unbeaten common season in Class A and third within the final decade. Gretna is now 7-0.

No. 3 Westside defeated No. 7 Kearney 42-14

It began in Omaha and completed in Papillion. Westside owned a 21-7 lead when a smoking electrical panel in a restroom indicated a transformer was about to blow. The rest of the sport was moved to Papio South. Quarterback Anthony Rezac threw for 3 touchdowns whereas each he and Jahmez Ross rushed for 100. Westside improved to 6-1 and responded to final week’s street loss at North Platte with the primary 21 factors of the sport.

No. 4 Omaha North defeated Fremont 42-0

Working Again Teshaun Porter and quarterback Sebastian Sisco continued to be an excessive amount of for opposing defenses. Porter rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns whereas Sisco matched him with three passing touchdowns. The protection gave up simply 54 whole yards and compelled two turnovers. The Vikings are 6-1.

No. 5 Grand Island misplaced 42-3 at No. 1 Elkhorn South

A tricky street win at a rival then one other street journey makes for troublesome circumstances. However The Islanders little doubt anticipated extra out of themselves than falling right into a 28-0 gap. However, general, the outcome most likely has extra to do with Elkhorn South than Grand Island. The Storm created huge performs early and generated the kind of momentum that few groups can stand up to.

No. 6 Bennington defeated Omaha Westview 70-0

The Badger protection greeted Westview with fumble recoveries and a pick-six on the primary two possessions. That early spark was adopted by two offensive touchdowns and a 28-0 lead by the primary quarter. Bennington added three second-quarter touchdowns and ran its file to an ideal 8-0.

No. 7 Kearney misplaced 42-14 at Westside

The Bearcats have been within the unenviable place of going through the earlier No. 1 the week after it suffered its first loss and had an ideal season ruined. Westside turned that motivation into the primary three touchdowns of the night time and a simple win. Quarterback Treyven Beckman saved a strong season going throwing for 256 yards on a completion share of 58%, however he had no assist from a working recreation that averaged 1.7 yards on 32 carries. Kearney is 5-2.

No. 8 Bellevue West defeated Bellevue East 49-0

The T-Birds took out the frustration from a season of powerful losses on their metropolis rivals. Quarterback Danny Kaelin threw a pair of landing passes to each Isaiah McMorris and Ben Goodwater whereas working again CJ Gauff discovered the tip zone twice. Defensively, Bell West held Bell East beneath 100 yards of offense and compelled two turnovers. The Thunderbirds are 5-3 forward of per week off.

No. 9 Creighton Prep was idle

The Junior Jays are 4-3 with video games at Papillion-La Vista and residential in opposition to Benson remaining.

No. 10 Aurora defeated Adams Central 41-7

Adams Central entered the night time as one of many 4 remaining unbeaten groups in Class C-1. The Patriots left humbled like each different Aurora opponent this season. It didn’t assist that Adams Central turned it over twice within the first quarter. That led to a 21-0 deficit earlier than the tip of the primary quarter. Aurora working again Carlos Collazo piled up 190 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. The Huskies are 7-0.

No. 11 Papillion-La Vista South misplaced 41-27 to No. 2 Gretna

A pick-six then a fumble on successive drives will seemingly get a lot of the eye however have been it not for a 21-point deficit at halftime, none of that will have mattered. Papio South couldn’t include Gretna quarterback Zane Flores, however not in the best way he usually carves up defenses. Thursday it was his legs and three dashing touchdowns within the first quarter that put the Titans in a gap. Papio South quarterback Sam Schuler threw for a career-high 292 yards within the loss. The Storm are actually 5-2 and have suffered each losses to the highest two groups within the SBLive Energy 25.

No. 12 North Platte defeated Lincoln Northeast 56-7

A protracted journey out east following an upset of the earlier No. 1 may usually be a recipe for a letdown. North Platte ensured that wouldn’t occur instantly when it took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards in seven performs for a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs scored on each possession of the primary half and had 49 factors on the board earlier than Northeast lastly discovered the tip zone about midway by the fourth quarter. Brock Roblee scored the primary two North Platte touchdowns, three different Bulldogs had touchdowns as nicely and backup quarterback Eli Broman took benefit of taking part in time with three touchdowns of his personal. North Platte is 4-3 and finally ends up with residence video games in opposition to Norfolk and Papillion-La Vista.

No. 13 Lincoln Southwest defeated South Sioux Metropolis 49-7

Cal Newell put the rout in movement with a pair of first-quarter landing runs and the Silver Hawks improved to 6-1. Southwest was simply 24 yards away from 400 whole on the bottom, averaged 8.7 yards on 43 carries and generated 153 passing yards. The protection had six tackles for loss, three sacks and compelled three turnovers. Newell had 125 rush yards on simply seven carries.

No. 14 Millard South defeated Columbus 49-7

It wasn’t as straightforward, not less than initially, as the ultimate rating could point out. Millard South fumbled on its first play from scrimmage then gave up a Columbus scoring drive. The Discoverers used that early momentum to hold round and head into halftime down simply 10-7. However from there, the Patriots began 4 straight drives at midfield or in Discoverer territory. Millard South capitalized with touchdowns on every, 27 factors within the third quarter and scored on 5 straight drives general. The Patriots are again above .500 at 4-3, face No. 3 Westside subsequent week in a non-district recreation then can wrap up a district title with a win over Lincoln Excessive in Week 9.

No. 15 Millard West defeated Lincoln Southeast 17-16

It was a 3-3 recreation within the fourth that noticed each groups rating a pair of touchdowns. Nevertheless it was a blocked further level on Southeast’s potential game-tying rating that proved to be the distinction. The Wildcats adopted that up with an onside restoration for a win. Millard West is again within the driver’s seat for the district after a 1-3 begin.

No. 16 Lincoln East defeated No. 24 Lincoln Excessive 28-7

A halftime tie gave method to 21 straight factors for the Spartans and a bounce again win following a troublesome one-point loss to Millard South. East working again Sprint Bauman scored two dashing touchdowns and one other on protection when he gave the Spartans some respiratory room on a pick-six late within the third quarter. Bauman carried the ball 21 instances for 123 yards and made 4 tackles, plus recovered a fumble, along with his interception. Lincoln East improved to 4-3.

No. 17 Lincoln Southeast misplaced 17-16 at. No. 15 Millard West

Southeast did what it needed to when it comes to recreation plan – 385 whole yards, 5.4 per carry and 127 for Max Buettenback on 16 carries. Buetteback had each Southeast touchdowns within the fourth after the sport went right into a 3-3 tie at halftime. However in defensive showdowns, it is typically a particular groups play that makes the distinction. A blocked further level drops Southeast to 3-4, 1-2 in district play and makes the final two video games must-win.

No. 18 Scottsbluff defeated Hastings 35-0

The Bearcats held the Tigers to adverse yards dashing defensively whereas placing collectively a balanced assault on offense that included three dashing touchdowns for Sebastien Boyle and two passing by quarterback Braeden Stull. Scottsbluff had over 370 yards of offense general. The Bearcats led 21-0 late within the first quarter and took a 28-0 lead into halftime. Scottsbluff is 6-1.

No. 19 Pierce defeated Central Metropolis 56-35

The Bison have been the second workforce this season to attain 35 factors on the Bluejays but in addition the second to take action and nonetheless lose by three touchdowns. Keenan Valverde adopted up final week’s 233-yard efficiency with 221 and three touchdowns. Tight finish Ben Brahmer caught three passes for 106 and three scores. Quarterback Abe Scholting was 8 for 10 passing for 132 and people three landing throws to Brahmer. The Bluejays are 7-0.

No. 20 Omaha Gross defeated Norris 42-14

Gross generated certainly one of its most balanced video games of the season. Quarterback Colby Duncan threw for 179 yards whereas Jake Garcia had 215 dashing. Collectively these two led the Cougars to over 430 yards of offense, 9.6 per keep on the bottom and 14.9 per completion by the air. Garcia discovered the tip zone thrice on an evening Gross had 4 completely different backs rating a landing. The Cougars are 7-0.

No. 21 Elkhorn defeated Blair 31-21

The Antlers scored the one two touchdowns of the primary quarter and led 21-0 with 5:44 remaining within the first half when Connor Hunt crossed the objective line on a quarterback sneak. All of it appeared so as till Blair answered with a rating earlier than halftime and had the sport tied 21-21 at 7:17 of the third quarter. Elkhorn responded with the following 10 factors and improved to 5-2.

No. 22 Millard North defeated Omaha Bryan 50-17

The Mustang protection picked off two passes and held Bryan to 69 yards dashing. Offensively, Caden Veermas rushed for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns. Millard North racked up 330 yards on the bottom and got here inside a recreation (3-4) of .500.

No. 23 Waverly defeated Lincoln Pius 38-8

The Vikings turned to the air assault and quarterback Trey Jackson. He responded with 4 landing passes. Defensively, Waverly held Pius QB Cole Skorupa to 4 of 18 throwing and compelled 5 punts. The Vikings are 5-2.

No. 24 Lincoln Excessive misplaced 28-7 to No. 16 Lincoln East.

The Hyperlinks simply couldn’t get the offense going in opposition to a stout Spartan protection and triggered their very own issues that included a pick-six, one other interception and a fumble. The offense managed simply 3.9 yards per keep on 28 rushes and had simply 54 yards by the air. It was the second straight recreation Lincoln Excessive was held to single digits and the second straight loss that left the Hyperlinks at 3-4 and 0-2 in district play. The playoffs look to be an extended shot.

No. 25 Elkhorn North defeated Mount Michael 27-24

The Wolves have been examined in a street contest per week after a troublesome loss to Elkhorn. Senior working again Josh Basilevac answered the check with 150 yards dashing on 23 carries and a landing. Total he had 275 yards of offense. Elkhorn North led 20-10 going into the fourth, noticed that lead lower to a few with a Mount Michael scoring drive however answered instantly on the following possession. Elkhorn North is 5-2 and in place for its first-ever journey to the postseason.