Week Five Friday Night Lights Nebraska Prep Football Heroes

**1000 Yard Rusher Alert**

*Grady Kelly-Central Valley - Cougars star running back became the first 8-Man Nebraska 8-Man football player to surpass the one thousand yard rushing mark in 2023 with his 224 yards on 28 carries/3 touchdown performance against Overton. The Cougar Comet also recorded 9 tackles (6 solos) on defense, as did teammate Taesian Soto. Grady Kelly now has 1,007 yards on 90 carries (11.2/per) and a fat 19 touchdowns. This lad is a real BALLER and just a Junior.

**1000 Yard Rusher Alert**

*Peyton Abbott-Bridgeport - Powerful 5-11, 185 pound senior exploded for a mind-boggling 385 yards on 24 carries (16 yards per) and 4 touchdowns in a 68-34 win over Bayard. That vaults the incredible Bridgeport back over the thousand yard rushing mark, putting him at 1,170 yards (18 touchdowns.) Abbott also had one pass reception and, you guessed it, a 62 yard touchdown catch.

Peyton Abbott has been an absolute monster the past three games for the Bulldogs. After running for 285 yards on 41 carries with 4 TDs the first THREE games. The past THREE games, Abbott seems to be jet-propelled, exploding for 885 yards on 55 carries with 14 touchdowns. Remarkable.

Abbott is currently number THREE in the United States in rushing yardage in the 8-Man ranks.

**1000 Yard Rusher Alert**

*Conor Booth, Connor Schutt, Jack Van Slyke-Wahoo Neumann - Booth became the first Nebraska 11-Man football runner to surpass the coveted one thousand yard rushing plateau in the Cavs 28-20 win over a rough, tough Yutan squad. Husker pledge Conor Booth rambled for 182 yards on 31 carries with scoring runs covering 55 and 16 yards while also adding a pair of double PAT conversions on power runs. Booth’s rushing total to date is at 1,054 yards with 18 TDs.

Super quarterback Connor Schutt, who missed one game altogether, then was forced to play the St. Cecilia game a week ago at wide receiver due to a passing arm injury, was back at his old position, running for 128 yards on just 6 totes with long scoring runs of 64 and 62 yards.

And Jack Van Dyke was all over the field defensively (as usual), logging 12 tackles, which included 5 solo stops.

By the way, this Neumann team is REALLY tough to stop offensively when Connor Schutt is in at quarterback, running that lethal option play with Conor Booth. Nearly unstoppable.

*Jett Thomalla, Amerion Jackson--Millard South - This pair of super sophomores hooked up for three touchdowns in the Patriots 57-10 win over Lincoln North Star. QB Jett Thomalla was a red hot 20 of 28 passing for 285 yards and FIVE TDs in the rout over the Gators. Classmate Amerion Jackson caught 6 passes total on the night, good for 90 yards and those THREE scores.

For the year, Thomalla has completed 58% of his 131 pass attempts for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns with just one pick. Jackson has 24 receptions for 478 yards and 8 scores thus far in 2023.

*Griffin Novacek-Kearney - 6-4, 210 pound junior carried 17 times for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Bearcats 38-24 win over North Platte. Novacek also connected on 5-9 passes for 89 yards for Class A, No. 3 Kearney High. This young man has some serious talent.

*Jaden Williams-Doniphan-Trumbull - Cardinal senior completed 14 of 23 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in DT’s 30-14 win over Wood River. In the process, Williams surpassed former Cardinal great Riley Wiltfong in Career Passing Yardage. Jaden’s Career Passing Yardage total currently sits at 4,339 yards with 35 TDs. Well done Mr. Williams.

*Marcus Schindler-Wausa - This 5-9, 155 pound freshman has really been something in his rookie season. In the Vikings 49-22 win over Creighton, Schindler ran 13 times for 152 yards with two touchdowns, caught 6 passes for an additional 43 yards and returned a kickoff 75 yards for another six points for a 3-2 Wausa team that’s better than you think. Schindler’s rushing total for the year stands at 636 yards.

*Nate Kelly, Sebastien Boyle, Carter Reisig-Scottsbluff - Just three of Bluffs standouts in the heartbreaking 35-34 loss to GI Northwest. Super Sophomore quarterback Nate Kelly was a pure stud in this one, rambling for 195 yards on 19 touches with two TDs. Two-Time All-State powerhouse RB Sebastien Boyle added 124 yards on 24 grueling trips right into the heart of the hard-hitting Northwest defense. Boyle also scored twice on the ground. Tough as nails Carter Reisig chipped in 86 yards on just 7 carries. Reising also caught 3 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Reisig was also a co-leader on defense with his 11 tackles. Frankie Trevino and Jhett Webb also matched Reisig’s tackle total of 11, while Nate Kelly contributed 6 tackles on defense from his DB slot.

*Camden Jensen, Chase Wiegert, Lincoln Flagle, Zach Mader-GI Northwest - The Camden Jensen to Chase Wiegert pass/catch hookup, the Lincoln Flagle outside runs in the 2nd half, and the brutal defensive play of Zach Mader all contributed to a huge Northwest 35-34 win over Scottsbluff last Friday.

Jensen, who was 18 of 27 for 285 yards and three TDs in the game, hooked up with speed demon Chase Wiegert (6 catches for 138 yards) for two long scoring passes, including another that was called back.

Senior RB Lincoln Flagle broke loose for 92 second half yards and one touchdown, ending the night with 139 yards on 20 carries, while big Zach Mader put some slobber-knocker-type hits, 15 of them to be exact, on Scottsbluff runners.

Northwest is NOT a team you want to face right now if they continue to click like they did in this Scottsbluff game.

*Ethan Latta, Dante Horner-Dundy County/Stratton - 2022 All-State selection Ethan Latta had 128 yards on just 5 carries and sophomore classmate Dante Horner zipped for 137 yards on 10 totes in a little less than two quarters in the Tigers 68-6 spanking of Medicine Valley.

*Kyle Cox-Sandhills-Thedford - The magic quarterback was at it again in the Mighty Knights 68-6 rolling over Hyannis. Cox zipped for 152 yards on 13 carries and 3 touchdowns, caught 4 passes covering 75 yards and 3 more TDs, was 1 of 2 passing for 6 yards and a score, made a pair of tackles on defense and blocked a punt.

After 5 games, Kyle Cox has 373 passing yards with 5 TDs, 803 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns and 75 receiving yards with 3 scores. And……he’s just a Junior. BALLER!

*Luke Orr, Brady McGill, Clay Shafer-Omaha Roncalli - All-State QB Brady McGill and WR Luke Orr hooked up for three touchdowns in Roncalli’s 37-28 loss to Pierce. Orr caught 6 of McGills 11 completions for 116 yards. Middle Linebacker Clay Shafer recorded a massive 20 tackles in the game.

*Sloan Pelican, Chase Van Winkle, Hayden Gravett-Johnson-Brock - Field general Sloan Pelican was good on 14 of 23 pass attempts for 181 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Eagles eye-opening 47-0 victory over a previously undefeated Nebraska City Lourdes team. Pelican also rushed for 89 yards on 17 carries and another TD and made half a dozen stops defensively.

Defensive secondary leader Chase Van Winkle made 10 tackles and pirated a Lourdes pass, but was also an offensive force, hauling in 6 receptions for 80 yards and a TD. Sophomore dandy Hayden Gravett led JB’s ground attack with 103 yards on 17 attempts and a score. He also logged 7 tackles on defense.

This unbeaten Johnson-Brock team currently leads the Class D-2 wild card standings and will get a good test this Friday when they travel to Shickley’s beautiful field setting for a meeting with 4-1 BDS.

*Riley Sudbeck-Hartington-Newcastle - THIS is a special football player. In the Wildcats 65-27 win over Wakefield, their FIRST win of the season, Sudbeck completed 12 of 14 passes for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Dual-Threat senior QB also ran the ball 16 times for 124 yards and two more TDs. Two of Riley’s scoring passes were gathered in by Dayton Sudbeck (brother, cousin, relative?) who made 3 catches for 68 yards in the game.

Here’s the deal with Riley Sudbeck. The dude has thrown for 929 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 412 yards with 2 more TDs and made 55 tackles for a team that is 1-4 on the year. BUT, Hartington-Newcastle has faced D-2’s #2 and 5-0 Wynot, 5-0 Plainview, D-1, #7 and 5-0 Crofton and 4-1 Elkhorn Valley prior to the Wakefield (0-5) win. Incredible.

Dayton Sudbeck has also put up impressive numbers thus far, reeling in 22 passes for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns with 48 stops on defense. I really hope this Hartington-Newcastle football team somehow finds a way to make the playoffs.

*Jeter Worthley, Dash Bauman-Lincoln East - Six foot, 185 junior QB Jeter Worthley and RB/DB Dash Bauman were as good as gold in the Spartans 41-12 win over Columbus under those Seacrest Field Thursday Night Lights. Worthley hit 12 of 17 passes for 212 big ones and three touchdowns. All-State defender Dash Bauman rushed 16 times for 147 yards and a pair of scores plus 9 tackles for that Lincoln East defense.

Thus far, Worthley has completed 66% of his 103 aerials for 983 yards and 12 TDs with just two picks. Bauman has 388 rushing yards (8 TDs), 10 pass receptions for 177 yards (3 TDs) and 27 stops with a fumble recovery on defense.

*Brockston Tepley-Lincoln Southwest - Freshman QB hit 6 of 9 throws for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over a then 3-1 Omaha Bryan team. Two of Tepley’s scoring passes went to Jackson Carpenter (15, 32 yards), the other to Jackson Crawford covering 65 yards.

*Ethan Shaw, Connor Rempe-Sandy Creek - Junior QB Ethan Shaw tore up Superior to the tune of 9 of 10 passing for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 40 rushing yards (5 carries) and two more TDs. Do-it-all senior Connor Rempe caught 3 of Shaw’s aerials for 63 yards and a score. He also had one rush in the game, a 63 yard touchdown dash.

The very talented Ethan Shaw has piled up 748 passing yards with 13 TDs (just 2 picks) and rushed for 492 yards (13 TDs) for these 5-0 Cougars. Rempe has compiled 396 receiving yards (5 TDs) and 239 rushing yards with 4 TDs in 5 games.

This Sandy Creek crew is a pretty dangerous football team with an excellent coaching staff, who should finish the regular season without a loss.

*Aiden Norman-Fullerton - The Warriors really leaned on Norman in their 32-24 win over a pesky Palmer team. Aiden toted the pigskin 39 times for 212 yards and two touchdowns during Fullerton’s 3rd win of the season. Norman now has 607 yards and 7 touchdowns in five games this season.

*Gabe Dutton-Mofford-Shelby/Rising City - Bolted for 218 yards and four TDs on 20 carries in the Huskies 62-6 win over Madison. Dutton-Mofford is edging toward that thousand yard rushing mark, having run for 745 yards (12 TDs) after 5 contests.

*Kyler Hellbusch-North Bend Central - All-State quarterback candidate connected on 16 of 20 passes for 285 yards and three TDs in the Tigers 47-3 trouncing of Tekamah-Herman. The Dual-Threat Hellbusch also rushed 13 times for 83 yards and another 2 scores in the one-sided affair. The multi-talented Kyler Hellbusch has hit 68% of his pass attempts for 940 yards with 11 TDs to date and picked up another 496 yards (7 TDs) for the 4-1 Tigers, who will be tested this week by Wahoo Neumann, then Oakland-Craig on October 13th.

*Gage Hedstrom, Carson Dannenbring, Ben Barlow-O’Neill St. Marys - All-Stater Gage Hedstrom was 14 of 19 yards passing for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Cardinals 62-14 win over Niobrara-Verdigre. The magical Hedstrom also gained 84 yards on 13 touches via the ground game with a 53 yard TD sprint, and made 10 stops with an interception defensively. Dannenbring was the recipient of 3 passes for 59 yards, two being touchdowns and 8 tackles, while Freshman Ben Barlow grabbed 5 passes for 70 big ones and a pair of St. Marys six pointers. Ironically, Barlow’s two touchdown receptions (25, 14 yards away) and a 73 yard kick return score……ALL came in the 1st quarter. Barlow also made four stops in the game on defense.

*Braylon Anderson, Brady Johnson, Emmet Johnson-Oakland-Craig - Anderson toted the ball 22 times for 127 yards with a 9 yard TD run. Braylon also had 94 yards through the air, but it was sophomore Brady Johnson who pulled off a 40 yard Pick-6 with 9 minutes left in the game, giving the Knights a 24-12 lead. Emmet Johnson provided the final dagger for Oakland-Craig, who led just 24-21, by picking off a Cedar Catholic pass with a minute to go at the Trojan 32 yard line.

Oakland-Craig has won four straight games since an opening night loss to Class C-2 #1 Norfolk Catholic (42-27). This is a WELL COACHED football team with the great Joe Anderson at the controls.

*Sam Sauerdyke-Thayer Central - Thayer Central star rambled for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 15 totes in Thayer’s 56-20 victory over Southern. Sauerdyke also registered 9 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup in the win. Big Sam also handled the kickoff duties, booting 5 of 7 into the endzone for touchbacks in this game.

*Jase Kaminski-Wahoo - Quarterback was a real sparkler in the Warrior’s 29-6 victory over a tough Columbus Lakeview squad. Kaminski completed 16 of 21 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 5 times for 44 yards and another score. Jase’s TD tosses went to Sam Edmunds (22 yards) and Barrett Lavaley (34 yards). Kaminski’s rushing TD came in the 4th quarter and covered 38 yards.

*Jack Molt, Drew Carraher, Nicolas Berger-Riverside - Junior speedster Molt ran for 107 yards on 14 carries with a pair of touchdowns (38, 3 yards), quarterback Drew Carraher added 100 yards on 12 totes with two touchdowns rushing (2, 47 yards) and one through the air (21 yds to Berger). Nicolas Berger also had a 36 yard Pick 6 in the 50-14 win over Arcadia/Loup City.

*Aiden Smith, Nolan Maahs, Evan Kastens, Vikings “D”-Waverly - Smith was the hero in the Vikings 28-0 win over a fine York Dukes team, rushing for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries. Quarterback Nolan Maahs was 7 of 10 through the air for 94 yards and also had a rushing TD in the game. Speedy Evan Kastens did not score but was a main cog in that Waverly offense, rushing 10 times for 61 yards and catching 6 passes for 69 yards to help keep those offensive drives going. AND, that great Viking Defense held the York passing game to 138 yards and stuffed the ground attack to the tune of 64 yards on 20 attempts.

The big one comes this week when Waverly takes the 409 mile trek to Scottsbluff where they will face the 3-2 Bearcats.