All-OmahaHSFootball: Class A champ Omaha Burke leads the Big O
The 2018 All-OmahaHSFootball Team is comprised of the best performers from around the metro this past fall. Check out the list, which features five members of the Class A state champ Omaha Burke squad:
Offense
Quarterback
Tyler Chadwick (Senior, Omaha Burke): Chadwick, the superglue to the 13-0 Bulldogs' state champion offense, capped off his high school career with some monster numbers. The Morningside recruit finished 2018 with 2,310 passing yards and 29 touchdowns — his third year in a row with over 2,000 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns. All this makes him the obvious choice to be the honorary offensive captain of the all-metro squad.
Running Back
James Burks (Senior, Omaha Burke): Burks made a strong case for best overall player in 2018, finishing the season with a spectacular 2,053 yards rushing (which was good for first in the state by over 200 yards). He also added 28 touchdowns, finalized as fourth best in the state.
Jeyvon Ducker (Junior, Bellevue West): The 5-10, 185-pound junior may have already cemented his status as the best offensive player in the state next season. Ducker rushed for 1,813 yards (fourth in Nebraska) and paced the NSAA in touchdowns with 32.
Wide Receiver
Xavier Watts (Junior, Omaha Burke): Watts was dominant on both sides of the ball, but made his biggest mark on offense where his 1,093 receiving yards sit at third in the state. He also added 15 touchdowns for the state champ Bulldogs.
Shane Dailey Jr. (Senior, Bellevue West): Standing at 5-foot-nine and 160 pounds, his standout senior season included 1,046 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. That means Dailey tripled his career receiving yards and touchdown marks in 2018.
Athlete
Jarod Epperson (Senior, Omaha Skutt): The Class B prospect had an absolutely absurd season. Epperson picked up 2,139 yards and 40 total touchdowns in 2018. Look for Epperson to bring his excellent pass catching and run game to the next level.
Offensive Line
Kohl Herbolsheimer (Junior, Millard South): Herbolsheimer started for the third straight year and once again proved to be a road grader in the ground game — as well as a top-tier pass blocker.
Ryan Bena (Senior, Omaha Creighton Prep): The 6-3 senior was once again a standout blocker for the Junior Jays. A South Dakota commit, Bena flashed athleticism and a high football IQ as well.
Mehki Butler (Senior, Omaha North): Once again, Butler paved the way for the Omaha North rushing attack. He looked like the best pulling tackle in Nebraska at times and has proven to have potential at tackle and guard in college.
Blake Anderson (Junior, Omaha Skutt): Although dominant on both sides of the ball, Anderson played best on offense — where he had a monster season blocking for Epperson.
Thomas Ault (Junior, Bellevue West): At 6-6, Ault has ideal height for a college tackle. Look for the 260-pound Thunderhog to rise up the recruiting rankings in 2019.
Defense
Defensive Line
Chris Hickman (Senior, Omaha Burke): Hickman shined on defense (and offense) this season. While on the less glamorous side of the ball, the Husker signee racked up 39 tackles — including 11 behind the line of scrimmage.
Trajen Linear (Junior, Papillion-La Vista South): The junior's 11 sacks ranks him at second in the state. Linear also forced three fumbles and recovered two more.
Jalen Powell (Senior, Bellevue West): Powell racked up 62 tackles for the T-Birds while playing all over the defensive line. He also cashed in 7.5 sacks.
James Archie (Senior, Omaha Central): Despite mostly playing on the interior, Archie was an extremely effective pass rusher in his breakout senior season. He racked up 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and 11 QB hurries.
Linebacker
Nick Henrich (Senior, Omaha Burke): Henrich, the All-OmahaHSFootball defensive captain, came into the season as the number one prospect in the state — and definitely lived up to the hype. The four-star Husker signee missed a few games with injury, but still racked up 96 tackles, four sacks, and a blocked punt.
Jack Paradis (Junior, Elkhorn South): Paradis' 113 tackles ranked him second in Class A. He will look to boost his stock at middle linebacker in 2019.
Steven Krawczyk (Senior, Omaha North): The 6-2 senior made his mark on the Vikings defense in his final season. Krawcyzk had the third most tackles of all Omaha players with 108, had two sacks, and forced a fumble.
Cornerback
Avante Dickerson (Sophomore, Westside): The youngest player on the All-OmahaHSFootball Team, Dickerson's lightning quickness makes him the most likely candidate to be the top recruit of his class as a senior.
Treon Fairgood-Jones (Senior, Omaha North): Fairgood-Jones had a huge year for North and was tied for second in the state with six interceptions. He was also one of the state's top return men.
Safety
Tyson Gordon (Junior, Omaha Skutt): The multi-sport star had a huge season for the Class B champions, picking off a class-leading eight passes and racking up 46 tackles. Gordon also was a backup quarterback.
Caedin Hays (Senior, Bellevue West): The free safety had 91 tackles — good for six interceptions — tying for second in the state. He also deflected four passes.
Special Teams
Kicker
Andrew McCoy (Senior, Omaha Roncalli): McCoy only kicked seven field goals — but made six. And the senior led the state in kicking points with 78. His longest field goal was 39 yards, and he also made 60 of 68 extra points.
Punter
Cade Jochum (Senior, Omaha Westside): Pinning team after team near their own end zone, Jochum looked like the top punter in Nebraska all season long. He likely has the leg to play in college.
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