Way-Too-Early Nebraska High School Football Top 25 Rankings

There’s talent residing in Nebraska high school football. Unsurprisingly, these players attracted attention from prestigious college football programs. However, before leaving high school, they will play out the final high school football season for some of the state’s top teams. From traditional powerhouses to upstart competitors, these are the top 25 teams in Nebraska high school football entering the 2025 season.

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

1. Millard South Patriots

While the Patriots lost their 2024 season opener against Arizona’s Basha, they went on a 12-game winning streak, capped off by their victory over Westside for the Nebraska high school football Class A state crown.

Millard South will start its title defense on August 29 against Nevada’s Arbor View. Four-star quarterback Jett Thomalla will lead the Patriots offense and get skill players like running back Nelsyn Wheeler, tight end Isaac Jensen, and wide receivers Amarion Jackson and DaShawn Prince involved. They will be playing with a solid offensive line led by Landen Von Seggern, Carter Glab, Stevie Grabowski, Antonio Harris, and Jack Ladd.

On defense, Millard South has a stacked unit featuring edge rusher Solomon Baker, cornerback Dayton Gaius, defensive lineman Hunter Allen, defensive back Nate Christensen, safety Eli Mitchell, and linebacker Aidan Marshall.

2. Westside Warriors

The Warriors dominated their first 12 opponents, winning all games by double digits and limiting seven opponents to seven points or less. However, Westside’s promising season ended with a defeat to Millard South in the Class A state title game.

Regaining the championship they won two years ago will be Westside’s goal in 2025. Their season starts against Omaha North on August 28 and four-star quarterback Braylen Warren will be crucial to their success. He will lead an offense featuring running back Tay Tay Jenkins, wide receiver Maurice Purify II, interior lineman Owen James, and wideout Eli Johnson.

On the other side of the ball, safeties Bryson Williams and Reid McIntyre will be the bright spots on the secondary. Likewise, Westside’s defense features linebacker Drew Kline, lineman Hudson Mead, and linebacker Quinton Warren.

3. Bennington Badgers

While the Badgers won 11 games last season, they lost twice to Skutt Catholic, including in the Nebraska high school football Class B state championship game. That defeat robbed them of a fourth consecutive state title, while their losses ended the chance of a third straight undefeated season.

Bennington hopes to regain the championship they’ve held from 2021 to 2023. However, before reaching the playoffs, they must take care of business in the preliminaries, starting in their season opener against Waverly on August 29.

4. Wahoo Warriors

After losing in the 2023 Class C1 state championship game, the Warriors erased that loss by defeating Central City for the 2024 state crown. That victory capped off Wahoo’s 13-0 season, which included playoff victories against Douglas County West, Boys Town, and Auburn.

Tight end Eli Shada and the Wahoo Warriors will begin their title defense against Nebraska City on August 29.

5. Skutt Catholic Skyhawks

The Skyhawks got their payback against Bennington after defeating the Badgers in the 2024 Nebraska high school football Class B state championship game. The year before, it was Bennington’s turn to hoist the trophy.

Defending their title is Skutt Catholic’s goal for the 2025 Nebraska high school football season. They will start their campaign against Norris on August 29 and face Elkhorn North, the only team that defeated them in 2024, on October 10. Safety Wyatt Liebentritt is a player to watch for the Skyhawks.

6. Norfolk Catholic
7. Elkhorn North
8. Waverly
9. Elkhorn South
10. Scottsbluff

11. Norris
12. Elkhorn
13. Boone Central
14. Ashland-Greenwood
15. Central City

16. Kearney
17. Bishop Neumann
18. Seward
19. Battle Creek
20. Gretna

21. Millard North
22. Omaha North
23. Cedar Catholic
24. Lakeview
25. Papillion-La Vista