2020 has been an odd year and that is much the same regarding the Class A football season. From seven teams from OPS canceling their seasons to multiple games canceled due to COVID-19 cases to teams failing and exceeding expectations this season has been very different than ones in the past. After seven of the 31, Class A teams canceled their season from OPS, rumors, and speculation surrounded how this season’s playoffs would work or even if they could work. On Thursday, September 17th speculation became reality when the NSAA Board of Directors announced that all 24 eligible teams would qualify for the state playoffs. This lines up for the originally scheduled week nine matchups to become round one. The top eight teams in Bellevue West, Westside, Millard South, Lincoln Southeast, Elkhorn South, Creighton Prep, Lincoln East, and Gretna will receive first-round while the bottom 16 battle it out to keep their hopes alive. Here’s what you need to know about the first-round matchups.

#17 Lincoln Southwest SilverHawks (4-4) vs #16 Lincoln North Star Navigators (3-5) 

Time and Location: 7:00 p.m. at Seacrest Field

The Gators and SilverHawks are more than used to playing both home and away games at Seacrest Field and this first-round matchup is one of the most closely matched ones we’ve seen all year. Both offenses average about 18 points a game and split up their offensive schemes much of the same. The biggest battle in this one will be the DJ McGarvie and Collin Fritton under the helm. McGarvie’s coming off of arguably his worst campaign this season with three interceptions and a 17.2 QB Rating while the team is looking to bounce back after dropping their last four games. In those last four games, the defense has allowed over 35 points a game, mainly coming in the fourth quarter and that’s where Lincoln Southwest has thrived this season. Collin Fritton, the leader of the Silverhawks this season is averaging 141 yards passing and is following a one touchdown, 126-yard performance. On the ground, both teams mix it up between multiple backs, however, Telo Arsiaga is the key performer in this matchup and a big reason why Lincoln Southwest will be able to pull ahead late in the fourth quarter. Averaging half of their points in the fourth quarter, the second half momentum will be able to tire out the Navigator defense.

Where to Watch: 

KLKN-TV ABC 8 – https://www.klkntv.com/lpssports/ 

Prediction: Lincoln Southwest 27-21

#24 Lincoln Northeast Rockets (0-8) vs #9 Kearney Bearcats (2-4)

Time and Location: 7:00 p.m. at UNK Field

This game is done before it’s even started. Kearney, a team a lot better than their record gives them has probably the most experience up against top teams in Class A this season. All four of their losses this season are up against top-five teams and up against Lincoln Southeast and Elkhorn South they kept it within one score at the end of the game. With a pass-heavy offense added to Will Luthans rushing ability, the Bearcats have a much better offensive scheme than the Rockets plus the athletes make it happen. Rockets average under 150 yards a game and don’t quite have a top-notch schedule. A 14 game losing streak will become 20 after tonight.

Where to Watch:

Kearney Striv – https://striv.tv/channel/kearney/ 

Prediction: Kearney 41-7 

#21 Papillion-La Vista South Titans (1-6) vs #12 Fremont Tigers (5-3)

Time and Location: 7:00 p.m. at Heedum Field

This has become a lot more of an interesting matchup than many might have seen coming into this week. After a 40-7 blowout loss to Millard North, Fremont’s effectiveness up against top metro teams has my confidence in them up against other metro teams dwindling. The big story of the year for the Tigers is junior quarterback Carter Sintek who came into the season looking to be the backup behind senior starter Jack Cooper. Cooper, who left after three-quarters of their first game would be out for the season. Sintek since then has averaged 200 yards a game passing and has left the rushing duties to junior running-back Micah Moore who adds another 116 yards a game on the ground. Papillon-La Vista South loves a lot of motion and redirection on offense and works a solid zone defense. Their weakness, the offensive, and defensive lines. Teams have taken advantage of this part of their game and with a team like Fremont, the trend will continue. Papio South will keep it reasonable but Fremont will prevail.

Where to Watch:

Fremont Striv – https://striv.tv/channel/fremont/ 

Prediction: Fremont 31-14

#20 Papillion-La Vista Monarchs (2-6) vs #13 Columbus Discoverers (5-3)

Time and Location: 3:00 p.m. at Pawnee Park

Another matchup between an under-performing metro team and a western Nebraska team looking to continue one of the best seasons they’ve had in the past ten years. Both teams are pass dominant offenses that have some running ability at multiple options. The Monarchs are starting with Octavian Pirtle after a dissapointing start to the year from Seth Oberymeyer and an injury. The freshman, Pirtle hasn’t exactly been the replacement the Monarchs needed but has been up to par especially as young as he is. A few more years of experience Pirtle could very well be a top ten quarterback in Class A but this year isn’t the year. Four straight double-digit losses, two of which from top ten teams has put the Monarchs in a downhill spiral from the promising 2-2 start. The story for the Discoverers is junior, first year starting quarterback Brody Mickey who has over 1,000 yards this season and is a true system quarterback that works really well with their style of offense. Last week, Mickey and this team gave Bellevue West their first scare of the season. Within seven at half, the Discoverers shut down and stayed toe to toe with the best offense the state of Nebraska has to offer. Unfortunately, four second half interceptions from Mickey would let the Thunderbirds cruise to a victory. The key for the Monarchs if they want to upset the Discoverers this afternoon, get to Mickey in a hurry. Five interceptions this year, Mickey can be seen to sometimes force the ball more than he needs to against solid secondaries. Both teams could seemingly be shown to be somewhat evently matched by the number but the Discoverer offense wil be too much for the Monarchs.

Where to Watch:

Columbus Striv – https://striv.tv/channel/columbus/

Prediction: Columbus 24-17

#22 Norfolk Panthers (1-7) vs #11 Millard North Mustangs (3-4)

Time and Location: 4:00 p.m. at Buell Stadium

Jimmy Quaintance. That’s the story in this one. Millard North’s leading rusher and passer is just about the entirety of the Mustangs offense. After a blowout loss to Westside in week five, the Mustangs really found and toned their weaknesses. Like a lot of people saw in last week’s matchup versus Fremont, the Mustangs chewed the clock, controlled the tempo, and controlled the movement at the line. Jason Cox, the Mustangs main running-back, finally got a breakout night with 126 yards and a touchdown. The team seems to be clicking on all cylinders while their opponent this week is very much not. Norfolk who doesn’t average more than 150 total yards on offense in a game has been through four different quarterbacks this season who have combined for ten total interceptions. Sophomore Kaden Ternus as of now looks to be tonight’s starter but unlikely to bring any real competition to the Mustangs hot streak.

Where to Watch:

Aaron Harding – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HbOHewf4zE 

Prediction: Millard North 42-7

#19 Bellevue East Chieftains (2-6) vs #14 Millard West Wildcats (1-6)

Time and Location: 7:30 p.m. at Buell Stadium

If I were told at the beginning of the year that Millard West would be a one win team and have a worse record than Bellevue East I would call them absolutely crazy. The injury bug has hit the Wildcats and hit them hard. Their starting quarterback and starting running-back are out for the season and multiple of their once great defense have been in and out of injury this season. Nathan Peterson, who is back after having a concussion will be the majority of the offense for this team with Brady Brau under the helm at quarterback. The wide receiver core has not had much action this season and very likely won’t through however many games Millard West will play. The defense for Millard West is the biggest bright spot for this team. Although losing a couple players to injury, the defense has kept them in games that they otherwise wouldn’t have been. 

TK Barnett just like we’ve seen with Jimmy Quaintance at Millard North is the entirety of the Bellevue East offense. Only a sophomore in a program which hasn’t had it’s fair share of winning seasons in it’s program history, he has been able to be a shining spot in their two comeback wins up against some smaller opponents. The youth presence on the team is a promising point but up against a top 10-15 defense in Millard West, it’ll be hard for the Chieftains to get on the right foot. Millard West will move on to play in the battle of Q Street.

Where to Watch:

Millard West Striv – https://striv.tv/channel/millard-west/ 

Prediction: Millard West 24-10

#23 Lincoln High Links (1-7) vs #10 North Platte Bulldogs (5-2)

Time and Location: 7:00 p.m. at Bauer Field

Like we saw in the Millard North and Norfolk matchup this game is going to be a ground heavy game and North Platte is the one on the hot streak. Although senior Cody Wright has been the most prolific runner for the Bulldogs this season, the offense does a great job of moving the ball around. Four players on the offensive side of the ball have gotten at least 40 carries or more through seven games and a total of seven who have at least a total 100 yards on the ground this season. A big win up against an injury battered Millard West team and two close losses to Lincoln East and Creighton prep showed that North Platte can play with the Omaha and Lincoln metro teams. Lincoln High is another run dominant offense but isn’t as effective in their matchups this season. With a comparative easy schedule this season, the Links have been unable to pass the 20 point mark in any of their games. Going up against a defense in North Platte’s, that has only allowed an average of 13 points a game, the Links don’t have much of a chance to gain momentum and do something significant on the offensive side of the ball.

Where to Watch:

North Platte Post Sports – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaWjz_B2wDKO_YneW46-h5A 

Prediction: North Platte 38-13

#18 Lincoln Pius X Thunderbolts (2-6) vs #15 Grand Island Islanders (3-4)

Time and Location: 7:00 p.m. at GI Memorial Stadium

The Islanders and Thunderbolts aren’t too much of a matchup to talk about. Both teams have struggling offenses with defenses that can do average up against the lower teams in the state but will get torched once a strong offense comes in their path. Jaden Jurgensmier is the key for the Islanders and why this team will get past the Thunderbolts and await another hard to win game against Westside. Struggling up against some of their tougher opponents this season, Jergensmier has looked really well in pocket. Pius X needs to be able to force him to become a dual threat if they want to force a close matchup. In these two teams’ game in week one, Grand Island was helped by a strong effort by Jergensmier plus his top target Kamden Akens. Akens is presumed out since October 2 but the Islanders have had multiple receivers step up into the top role. Another defensive dominated game but Grand Island has shown to have a much better offense.

Where to Watch:

Grand Island Striv – https://striv.tv/channel/grand-island/ 

Prediction: Grand Island 27-10

All eight first-round matchups will be great matchups back and forth and have opportunities for upsets. But as always in Class A playoff football, one team moves on, another ends their season and looks to the offseason ahead. The top eight teams will watch and wait to see who they will face in their quarterfinal matchups.