Is Nebraska High School Football Ready to Compete on the National Stage?

Nebraska's top high school football programs recently faced off against elite teams from other states, raising an important question: Is Nebraska ready to compete on the national stage? While Millard South, Omaha Creighton Prep, and Millard North all fell short, Millard South’s performance against one of Arizona’s best teams suggests that Nebraska's top teams, such as Millard South and Omaha Westside, may be capable of competing with elite programs from across the country.

Millard South Puts Up a Fight Against Basha

Millard South's matchup against Basha, the third-ranked team in Arizona, was the most competitive of the three. The Patriots trailed just 13-7 at halftime before eventually falling 39-25. Despite the loss, Millard South's ability to stay within striking distance for much of the game was impressive.

Quarterback Jett Thomalla led the charge for Millard South, completing 34 of 57 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown. Thomalla’s top target was wide receiver Chase Loftin, who is committed to Florida State and proved his worth with 13 receptions for 128 yards. Loftin was a constant threat downfield, showcasing his elite skills against one of the top defenses in the country.

Running back Gabe Prucha also made his presence felt, rushing for 87 yards on 17 carries and scoring two touchdowns. Prucha’s hard-nosed running helped Millard South keep pace with Basha’s offense, and his ability to find the end zone twice showed the Patriots’ offensive versatility.

Though Basha pulled away in the second half, Millard South continued to fight, scoring in both the third and fourth quarters. The final score may have favored Basha, but the Patriots proved they could go toe-to-toe with one of the nation’s elite teams.

Omaha Creighton Prep and Millard North Face Tough Tests

For Omaha Creighton Prep and Millard North, the story was more one-sided. Creighton Prep took on De Smet Jesuit, Missouri’s second-ranked team, and suffered a 48-7 defeat. The Junior Jays struggled to match De Smet’s athleticism and depth, finding themselves outclassed from start to finish.

Millard North faced a similar challenge against Cherry Creek, the top-ranked team in Colorado, on September 6. Cherry Creek controlled the game, defeating Millard North 42-10 in a lopsided contest. Both Creighton Prep and Millard North showed the gap between Nebraska’s top programs and some of the nation’s elite teams.

A Glimpse into the Future

Despite the tough losses, Millard South’s performance offers hope that Nebraska can compete on the national stage. Their ability to hang with Basha for much of the game demonstrates that top teams like Millard South and Omaha Westside have the talent and coaching to challenge elite programs from other states. Westside, the reigning back-to-back state champions, don't face out-of-state competition this year, but their dominance within Nebraska suggests they could be competitive in national matchups.

The future looks promising for Nebraska high school football. If matchups like these become more common, Nebraska’s top teams will have more opportunities to prove themselves on a national level. Millard South’s showing against Basha, combined with Westside’s continued dominance, indicates that Nebraska is on the cusp of breaking through.

The question remains: Can Nebraska’s best consistently compete with the nation’s elite, or do they still have more ground to cover? One thing is certain: Nebraska’s top programs are hungry for the opportunity to prove they belong in the national conversation.