High school football in Nebraska isn't just a weekend distraction. It's an obsession. If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines at Buell Stadium or braved the wind at Seacrest Field, you know the vibe. People get heated about rankings.
Honestly, trying to pin down the definitive class a nebraska football rankings is like trying to tackle a Millard South running back in the open field. It’s slippery. You think you have the top ten figured out, and then a "down" year for a powerhouse turns into a deep playoff run that busts every bracket in the state.
The 2025 season just wrapped up, and it left a trail of broken expectations and absolute dominance in its wake.
The Absolute Dominance of Millard South
Let’s not beat around the bush. Millard South wasn't just good this year; they were historic. They finished the 2025 season with a 12-1 record and a state championship trophy that basically had their name engraved on it by October.
They capped it all off with a 49-0 blowout against Papillion-La Vista South in the final.
Zero points. In a state title game.
That’s unheard of at the Class A level. Usually, these games are dogfights. But the Patriots, led by Alabama commit Jett Thomalla at quarterback, operated on a different frequency. When people look at the class a nebraska football rankings, Millard South sits at the top not just because of the "W," but because of the sheer margin of victory they maintained all year.
You’ve got to feel for the rest of the field. Teams like Omaha Westside, who have been the gold standard for what feels like a decade, found themselves in the unfamiliar position of chasing. Westside finished 10-2, which for most schools is a dream season. For them? It’s a "what if" year after losing to Millard South 62-21 in the semifinals.
Why the Computer Rankings Kinda Lie
If you go to MaxPreps or look at the NSAA power points, you’ll see numbers that don't always match the "eye test."
Take Millard North. They finished 5-6. On paper, that looks mediocre. But if you look at their strength of schedule, they were playing a gauntlet. The computer rankings actually moved them up significantly because of who they played. They nearly knocked off Omaha North in the playoffs, losing by a single point (30-29).
Rankings are often a lagging indicator. They tell you what happened, not what’s about to happen.
- Millard South: Finished #1 (12-1).
- Omaha Westside: Finished #2 (10-2).
- Papillion-La Vista South: Finished #3 (11-2).
- Creighton Prep: Finished #4 (10-2).
Prep is another interesting one. They started the year looking a bit shaky but ended up as a legitimate threat, taking down Lincoln East in a 14-6 defensive struggle during the quarterfinals. They play a style of "boring" football that wins championships—or at least gets you close enough to smell the grass at Memorial Stadium.
The Lincoln vs. Omaha Divide
It’s the oldest argument in Nebraska sports. Is the "Star City" catching up to the "Big O"?
Usually, the answer is a resounding no. But this year, Lincoln East and Lincoln North Star showed some real teeth. North Star nearly pulled off the upset of the century against Papio South in the first round, losing 23-22.
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But when you look at the final class a nebraska football rankings, the top five is almost exclusively dominated by the Omaha metro. Elkhorn South finished #5 with an 8-3 record, proving that even as a relatively newer school in the Class A landscape, they belong in the conversation every single year.
Kearney also represented the western part of the state well, finishing 7-4 and making it to the quarterfinals. It’s tough for those teams. They travel more miles in three weeks than some Omaha schools do in three seasons. That fatigue matters when you're facing a fresh Millard South squad in late November.
Recruitment and the Next Generation
Rankings aren't just about the scoreboard; they're about the talent. Nebraska’s Class of 2026 is looking like one of the deepest in recent memory.
You have guys like DaShawn Prince at Millard South and Maurice Purify II at Omaha Westside who are absolute game-changers. These aren't just local stars; they are national-level recruits. When you have a five-star talent like Danny Odem (though he's a Florida transplant signee for the Huskers), it elevates the entire profile of Nebraska prep ball.
The 2026 watch list is already out, and it’s heavy on linemen.
- Taytum Anderson (Norfolk): A 310-pound wall.
- Juan Diaz (Omaha Westview): A massive tackle at 6'4".
- Alex Gruefe (Elkhorn South): Technically sound and mean on the pull.
Seeing these names on the roster is a better predictor of future class a nebraska football rankings than any mid-season poll. If a team has three or four of these guys, they’re going to be in the top ten. Period.
What to Watch for in 2026
So, where do we go from here?
Millard South loses some seniors, but their system is a factory. Westside will be back, likely with a chip on their shoulder the size of a tractor. But keep an eye on the "middle" teams. Omaha North and Omaha Central both finished 6-4, but they have young rosters that are growing up fast.
Basically, the rankings are a snapshot. They change the second the first whistle blows in August.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for next season, stop looking at the wins and losses from last year. Look at the junior varsity scores. Look at who is hitting the weight room. That’s where the 2026 rankings are being built right now.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Recruiters:
- Track the NSAA Power Points early: Don't wait until October. Start looking in week three to see which teams are getting "weight" from their opponents' wins.
- Watch the 2026 Prospect Lists: Keep an eye on local camps. Guys like Jett Thomalla have set a high bar, and the next crop of QBs is already trying to clear it.
- Attend a "West" game: If you only watch Omaha and Lincoln, you're missing out. Teams like Kearney and Norfolk play a physical brand of football that often resets the rankings during the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The 2025 season showed us that while the names at the top stay familiar, the gap between the "elites" and the "contenders" is widening. Closing that gap is what the 2026 season will be all about.