Nebraska High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 24
The Nebraska On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Sept. 24 has two changes. The first is highly consequential: Westside retakes the top spot from Bennington, who slid to number two. Likewise, Elkhorn moves up two places to make a return to the list.
Nebraska high school football’s best teams dominate their schedules, as eight of the top ten remain undefeated. Five teams from those ranked from 11 to 25 have improved their records to 4-0. Here’s how Nebraska’s top squads fare with another round of games looming over the weekend.
The On3 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.
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1. Westside
Previous: No. 1 (+1)
Defeating Bellevue West by 31 points gives Westside a 4-0 record. Braylen Warren threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns, while Eli Johnson had 94 receiving yards and two scoring catches. The Warriors also scored on defense, courtesy of a Bryson Williams fumble recovery, and on special teams through kickoff return TDs from Tay Tay Jenkins and Keenan Cotton. If they’re firing at all cylinders, Omaha Central will have difficulty slowing down Westside during their Sept. 27 match.
2. Bennington
Previous: No. 1 (-1)
While the Badgers went down by one spot, they remain undefeated in four games after a one-sided affair against Northwest. Houston Hill threw for 239 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Will Gutz had two rushing scores. Cooper Johnson led Bennington’s receivers with 95 yards and a touchdown. In addition to their efficient offense, the Badgers have Nebraska high school football’s top-ranked defense after giving up only 21 points in four games. That elite defense is what Gretna must figure out on Sept. 27 if they want to break the Badgers’ winning streak.
3. Wahoo
Previous: No. 3
The Warriors completed their second shutout victory of the season, scoring 36 unanswered points against Gross Catholic. Noah Bordovsky and Kip Brigham led Wahoo’s offense with 223 rushing yards and six touchdowns combined. Meanwhile, their defense finished with 52 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. The Warriors will carry a 48-points-per-game average when they visit Douglas Co West on the 27th.
4. Norfolk Catholic
Previous: No. 4
The Knights have limited their opponents to under 20 points for the third straight game. In addition to keeping Arlington at 19 points in their last match, Norfolk Catholic tallied 52, their second-highest total this season. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, as they have scored 114 points in their previous two games. The Knights can improve to 5-0 by winning their home game against Ponca on Sept. 27.
5. Millard South
Previous: No. 5
The Patriots earned Nebraska high school football’s top offensive ranking after scoring a season-high 63 points against Millard North. Jett Thomalla had an impressive 312 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Chase Loftin had 62 receiving yards and a touchdown. Aamir Hill, Gabe Prucha, and Isaiah Traylor each had a rushing touchdown. Conversely, Millard South’s defense was on fire, tallying 19 tackles for losses and eight sacks against the Mustangs. Millard South can extend its winning streak to four games with a road victory over Lincoln Southeast on the 27th.
6. Skutt Catholic
Previous: No. 6
It’s pretty concerning that the Skyhawks allowed Ralston to score 17 fourth-quarter points during their Sept. 20 match. However, they can afford that minor collapse because they were up 41-0 after three quarters. As a result, Skutt Catholic maintains its unblemished record after four games with an average victory margin of 31 points. They haven’t allowed more than 17 points to any opponent and have completed a shutout victory in a road game versus Standing Bear. The Skyhawks aim for a 5-0 slate in their home game against Elkhorn on Friday.
7. Elkhorn South
Previous: No. 7
The Storm remains undefeated after a 49-14 domination of Grand Island Senior. Madden Riggs ignited the Elkhorn South offense with 149 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Gavin Shanahan finished with 157 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Landon Tate, Ryan Siemek, and Devin Meier each had a receiving touchdown. On special teams, Tate added a punt return TD. Meanwhile, Elkhorn South’s defense remains consistent through four games, giving up 33 total points. Neutralizing Omaha South Magnet’s offense in their Sept. 27 encounter will hand them a 5-0 record.
8. Elkhorn North
Previous: No. 8
After surrendering 21 points to Pius X in their season-opening win, Elkhorn North’s defense has improved over the last three games. They gave up seven points to Gretna, thanks to 54 tackles and three sacks. Meanwhile, Ethan Beachy led their offense with 295 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Dragons. Jett Tingelhoff had two rushing touchdowns, while Jase Reynolds had 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. Elkhorn North can improve to 5-0 by winning their Sept. 27 home game against Blair.
9. Battle Creek
Previous: No. 9
The Braves scored a season-high 48 points in their Sept. 20 victory over Archbishop Bergan. Jaxon Mettler had 104 passing yards, 46 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Wyatt Nierodzik and Aden Pochop helped Battle Creek’s cause with 189 rushing yards and four touchdowns combined. Pochop, Ayden Wintz, and Connor Neuhalfen fielded Mettler’s touchdown throws. The Braves’ undefeated record in the 2024 Nebraska high school football season is at stake when they visit 23rd-ranked Cedar Catholic on Friday.
10. Ashland-Greenwood
Previous: No. 10
The Bluejays are one of two teams in the top ten with a loss. However, that’s a minor detail, considering they’re coming off a win against Auburn 41-13. Derek Tonjes carved the Bulldogs’ defense with 291 passing yards and five touchdowns, while Thomas Spears finished with 143 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Ashland-Greenwood will try to extend their winning streak to three games with a win over the visiting Louisville Lions on the 27th.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Nebraska High School Football Rankings
11. Seward
12. Lakeview
13. Waverly
14. Boone Central
15. Sidney
16. Bishop Neumann
17. Scottsbluff
18. Kearney Catholic
19. Boys Town
20. Cedar Catholic
21. Creighton Preparatory School
22. Norris
23. Kearney
24. Elkhorn (+2)
25. Gretna