Friday night in Omaha has a specific sound. It isn't the traffic on Dodge or the wind cutting across the plains. It’s the rhythmic, percussive thud of pads hitting pads under the glow of LED stadium lights. If you've ever stood on the sidelines or squeezed into the metal bleachers for a Millard West football game, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s intense. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming if you aren't prepared for the sheer scale of Nebraska high school
football culture.
People think Nebraska sports start and end with the Huskers in Lincoln. They're wrong.
The real grit is found in the Class A matchups where the Millard West Wildcats have built a legitimate powerhouse over the last few decades. Since the school opened its doors in 1995, the football program hasn't just been a weekend activity; it's become a cornerstone of the Millard community. You see the "MW" car decals everywhere. You see the green and black hoodies at the grocery stores. This isn't just about a game; it's about a standard of excellence that legendary coach Kirk Peterson helped cement and that the current staff fights to maintain every single season.
What actually happens at a Millard West football game
Expect chaos. The good kind.
Buell Stadium, which the Wildcats share with Millard South and Millard North, is the epicenter. When it's a home game for West, the atmosphere shifts. The student section, famously known as the "Crazies," isn't just there to watch; they are there to perform. You'll see themes ranging from neon nights to "blackouts" where the entire side of the stadium looks like a void, save for the screaming faces.
The game itself? It’s tactical. Nebraska Class A football is high-level stuff. We aren't talking about "run-run-pass" simplified schemes. You’re watching complex defensive rotations and offensive line play that frequently produces Division I talent. When you watch a Millard West football game, you’re often looking at future college starters. Names like Harrison Phillips, who went from being a Wildcat to a star at Stanford and then the NFL, prove that the dirt on this field is different.
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But it’s also about the rituals. The walk-out. The smoke. The band—the Millard West Wildcat Marching Band is a massive, award-winning machine that provides the soundtrack to every play. If the drums stop, something is wrong.
The rivalries that define the season
You can't talk about a Millard West football game without mentioning the "Battle of the Cats." This is the annual showdown against Millard South. It’s personal. Families in the district are often split, with cousins playing against cousins or siblings cheering from opposite sides of the stadium.
Then there’s the Millard North matchup. It’s a different vibe—more about a clash of styles. North has historically been known for that grueling, clock-eating triple option, while West often brings a more balanced, aggressive approach. When these teams meet, the records usually don't matter. You could have a winless team playing an undefeated one, and it would still be a one-score game in the fourth quarter. That’s just the nature of the district.
Why the 2024 and 2025 seasons changed the narrative
For a while, people thought the power balance in Class A was shifting elsewhere. Teams like Omaha Westside or Gretna started grabbing the headlines. But the Wildcats have a way of sticking around. Recent seasons have shown a resurgence in defensive identity.
The "Wildcat Way" basically boils down to outworking the guy across from you. It sounds like a cliché until you see a linebacker fill a gap at full speed in the rain during a late October playoff push. That’s when you realize the coaching staff—led recently by Steve Kerkman—doesn't just teach plays; they teach a specific type of resilience.
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Logistics: Getting to the stadium without losing your mind
If you’re planning on attending, don’t just show up at kickoff. That’s a rookie mistake.
- Parking is a nightmare. Buell Stadium serves a massive area. If you aren't there at least 45 minutes early, expect to walk a quarter-mile from a side street.
- Tickets are digital. Gone are the days of handing a crumpled five-dollar bill to a guy at a wooden booth. Most Metro Conference games now use apps like GoFan. Download it before you get to the gate because cell service gets spotty when 5,000 people are trying to post to Instagram at once.
- The weather is a lie. It might be 65 degrees at 6:00 PM. By the third quarter, that Nebraska wind kicks in, and it feels like 40. Bring a blanket. Everyone else will have one.
The food is standard stadium fare, but there’s something about a Buell Stadium hot dog that just hits differently when the band is playing "Hey Song." It’s the experience. It’s the smell of turf and popcorn.
The technical side: Why the Wildcats win
Football nerds (like me) love watching West because of their fundamental soundness. They rarely beat themselves with stupid penalties. You’ll see a heavy emphasis on "gap integrity" on defense. Basically, every player knows their exact square foot of responsibility.
Offensively, they tend to lean on a strong run game to set up the play-action. It’s classic Midwestern football, but with modern wrinkles. They’ll spread you out to see how the safeties react, then immediately go back to a power-I formation if they think they can bully you at the line of scrimmage. It’s chess with pads on.
Acknowledging the pressure
It's not all sunshine and touchdowns. Playing for a program with this much history comes with a weight. The players feel it. The coaches definitely feel it. There’s an expectation to not just make the playoffs, but to make a deep run every single November. When a Millard West football game ends in a loss, the silence in the locker room is heavy. But that’s what happens when you care this much.
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The community support is a double-edged sword. You have thousands of "armchair coaches" in the stands, but you also have a support system that raises thousands of dollars for equipment, travel, and scholarships. The booster club at West is one of the most organized in the state, ensuring these kids have everything from top-tier film study tech to the best strength and conditioning programs available.
How to follow the Wildcats if you can't make it
Look, life happens. You can't always make it to the stadium.
- Live Streams: Most games are now broadcast via the NFHS Network or sometimes local platforms like Striv TV. It’s high-def and usually includes student commentators who know the roster better than their own birthdays.
- Social Media: Follow the Millard West Athletics Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it now) account. They provide live score updates that are faster than the actual scoreboard sometimes.
- Local Press: The Omaha World-Herald still provides the best post-game analysis and photography. Their sports photographers are elite and capture the raw emotion of the game in a way a phone camera just can't.
Watching a Millard West football game is a rite of passage for anyone living in West Omaha. Whether you’re a student, an alum, or just someone who appreciates the sport, there is a palpable energy there that you won't find at a movie theater or a mall. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s a reminder that in a world that’s increasingly digital and disconnected, there are still things that bring us together on a cold Friday night.
Actionable steps for your next Friday night
If you want to get the most out of the experience, do these things:
- Check the schedule early. High-profile games against teams like Omaha Westside or Millard South sell out their "prime" seating areas quickly.
- Wear the colors. If you aren't wearing forest green, black, or white, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.
- Stay for the halftime show. Even if you’re just there for the football, the Millard West band and dance teams put on a performance that rivals some small college programs.
- Watch the trenches. Don't just follow the ball. Watch the offensive and defensive lines. That’s where Millard West usually wins or loses the game. The hand-fighting and footwork at the line of scrimmage are where the real "expert" level football happens.
- Support the concessions. The money usually goes back into the athletic programs or the music department. It’s a small way to give back to the kids who are putting their bodies on the line for your entertainment.
Whether they win by thirty or lose a heartbreaker in overtime, a Millard West football game is never boring. It’s a window into the heart of Nebraska sports culture—disciplined, loud, and incredibly proud. Make sure your GoFan app is loaded, your jacket is zipped up, and you’re ready to cheer until your throat is sore. That’s the only way to do it right.