11-man
Sidney — The Red Raiders were runners up in Class C1 last year and must replace quarterback Alek Doty and their three top tacklers on defense. But 1,400-yard rusher Rhys Dorcey returns to motor the offense and the Red Raiders should be one of western Nebraska’s top 11-man teams again. Kale Kaiser will anchor the defense.
Scottsbluff — The Bearcats lose quarterback and leading rusher Nate Kelley from a playoff team a season ago, but leading tackler Dylan Propp returns as does second-leading rusher Jordan McCarty. Carver Nemnich, Caleb Burda and Mason Schmer should also be factors for the Bearcats.
McCook — The Bison lose a talented senior class, including Gabe Roberts, Trenton Raile and Tristan Campbell. Tripp Raile, Ty Junker and Lee Davidson will be among the returning players asked to pick up the long tradition of winning in southwestern Nebraska.
North Platte — The Bulldogs lose top rusher Will Rathjen and top receiver Ty Haneborg, but will return quarterback Carter Still and six running backs and wing backs who rushed for more than 100 yards a season ago, including fullback Owen Shea. Shea doubled last year as North Platte’s leading tackler.
Gothenburg — Tristan Koch and Teague Butterfield are likely to step in to starting roles at skill positions as the Swedes do lose a lot of production on offense. Leading tacklers Koch and Beck Groene will anchor the defense.
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8-man
Hemingford — Zaine Feist returns for the Bobcats as the team’s leading tackler as the team’s leading returning rusher. They will have to replace all-purpose quarterback Jacob Bryner. Jayce Haas, Lucas Sylzbach and Carson Haas also should be factors.
Dundy County-Stratton — The Tigers lose two giants in Dante Horner and Ethan Latta. On offense, Noah Zoltenko and Trynt Unger are the likely pair to take over as the driving force. Linebacker Tagen Yrkoski and and lineman Brock Bailey are the team’s returning top tacklers on defense.
Anselmo-Merna — Dane Duryea is the top returning quarterback in western Nebraska. As a junior, Duryea put the Coyotes on his back, running for 1,869 yards and throwing for 612 more. All told, he helped score 44 touchdowns last season.
Mullen — As a freshman, Bo Pettit Jr. split time with Ben Werner at quarterback and figures to be featured heavily again for the Broncos. Brandon Hardin was third in rushing a season ago. Cian Conneally will anchor the defense.
St. Pat’s — The Irish lose Sutton Tickle and Mason Giebler, but Ben Henkla, Ben Heirigs and Jaxon Braithwait are waiting in the wings. Hudson Deeds will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines.
6-man
Garden County — The only unanimous No. 1 in our three rankings, the Eagles return quarterback Kole Fernander who led the Eagles to a state championship, and is back to spearhead the effort for back-to-back trophies. Leading tackler Jase Robinson also returns on defense. The Eagles do lose their top two rushers.
Hay Springs — Quarterback and leading tackler Jaydub Turman returns for his junior season with the Hawks, as does leading rusher and second-leading tackler Tripp Buettner. Arian Mata was the Hawks’ third-leading tackler as just a freshman.
Wallace — Quarterback Colt Franklin and leading rushers Tyson Sullivan and Ashtin Johns all return for the Wildcats. Those three also anchor the defense.
Southwest — The Roughriders have maybe the biggest shoes to fill in all of western Nebraska as Houston Billiter graduated. Second- and third-leading rushers Jacob Barber and Bo Truska do return, however, and leading tackler Gage Hammond returns on defense.
Arthur County — Camden Mironenko was a menace on defense a year ago. He returns to anchor the Wolves defense. Quarterback Zachary Hanna and Carter Storer should lead the offense.
