Friday nights in Nebraska are basically a religion, and if you weren't at Memorial Stadium or glued to a stream this past November, you missed a historic shift in the hierarchy. The final nebraska prep football rankings for the 2025 season aren't just a list of teams. They're a map of a year where powerhouse dynasties got pushed to the brink and small-town legends finally got their hardware.
Honestly, it was a wild ride.
The Class A Coronation: Millard South’s Dominance
Everyone expected Millard South to be good, but "good" doesn't quite cover what they did to Class A. They finished at the top of the heap with a 12-1 record, and that lone loss? A forfeit. On the field, they were untouchable. They capped off the year by absolutely dismantling Papillion-La Vista South 49-0 in the state championship. It wasn't even as close as the score looks.
While the Patriots sat comfortably at #1, the rest of the Class A rankings saw some serious shuffling. Omaha Westside, usually the boogeyman of the bracket, ended up at #2 after a 10-2 season. They're still elite, but 2025 belonged to Millard South. Papio South's run to the final kept them at #3, followed by a very stout Creighton Prep team that finished 10-2.
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- Millard South (12-1)
- Omaha Westside (10-2)
- Papillion-La Vista South (11-2)
- Creighton Prep (10-2)
- Elkhorn South (8-3)
Why Class B Rankings Are The Most Contested
Class B was a meat grinder. Seriously. Waverly ended a 45-year title drought, and they did it with a perfect 13-0 record. Seeing them at the top of the final nebraska prep football rankings feels right because of how they handled the pressure. Nathan Axmann was a workhorse, carrying the ball 42 times in the semifinals alone.
Gretna East, the new kids on the block, proved they’re here to stay by finishing as the runner-up and snagging the #2 spot. Meanwhile, Bennington—the team everyone loves to hate because they win so much—slipped to #3 after a 9-3 campaign. It’s rare to see them anywhere but first, but that’s just how deep Class B was this year.
Waverly's 42-27 win over Gretna East in the final was the exclamation point. Norris and Skutt Catholic rounded out the top five, but honestly, any of those top eight teams could have beaten each other on a Tuesday.
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Small Town Giants: C1 and C2 Results
Wahoo is basically a factory for championship trophies at this point. They won their second consecutive Class C1 title, finishing 13-0 after a 20-6 defensive battle against Sidney. Sidney was the feel-good story of the year—first-time finalists who played their hearts out. They earned that #2 ranking.
Over in Class C2, it was the Jack Van Slyke show. The Bishop Neumann senior was a one-man wrecking crew in the final against Grand Island Central Catholic. Neumann won 37-15, finishing 12-1 and taking the top spot in the class. GICC (11-2) had a phenomenal year, but Neumann’s physicality was just on another level.
- Class C1 Leader: Wahoo (13-0)
- Class C2 Leader: Bishop Neumann (12-1)
- The Surprise: Sidney’s rise to #2 in C1.
The High-Scoring Chaos of 8-Man and 6-Man
If you like defense, stay away from Class D2. The final between Wynot and St. Mary’s was the highest-scoring game in playoff history. 131 total points. Wynot won 71-60. It was basically a track meet with pads on. Devin Brummer and Kotner Koch were video-game good.
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In Class D1, Sandy Creek repeated as champs. Kam Sealey is a name you’ll be hearing for a long time; he accounted for nine touchdowns in the 66-26 blowout over Crofton.
Then there's the 6-man game. Garden County finished a perfect 12-0 to claim their first-ever state title. They beat a very tough Southwest team 41-22. Six-man football is a different breed of speed, and Garden County had plenty of it.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
People tend to look at the wins and losses and think they tell the whole story. They don't. For example, Millard North finished 5-6 but played one of the toughest schedules in the country. MaxPreps actually had them ranked higher than teams with twice as many wins because of their strength of schedule.
Also, don't sleep on the "Receiving Votes" teams like Aurora or Central City. In Nebraska, the gap between #8 and #15 is often razor-thin. One bad snap or a windy night in November changes everything.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're already looking toward the 2026 season, here is how you stay ahead:
- Track the Transfer Portal: Even at the high school level, kids are moving. Watch for big names in Omaha and Lincoln shifting schools.
- Off-Season Camps: Follow the Huskerland Preps reports on junior days. That's where the next Jett Thomalla (Millard South's star QB) will emerge.
- Check the Re-Classification: The NSAA re-evaluates school enrollments every two years. Some C1 powerhouses might find themselves in Class B next year, which completely resets the rankings.
- Watch the Sophomores: Sandy Creek and Wahoo are returning a frightening amount of talent. If you're a betting person, keep your eyes on the Cougars for a three-peat.