Recruiting never stops and it’s easy to miss the top stories day-to-day. Recruiting analyst Greg Smith recaps all things Nebraska recruiting news, analysis and more so you never miss a thing.
The hits just keep coming for the senior class in high school this year.
Trying to navigate through this high school football season in Nebraska has been a roller coaster. Omaha Public Schools elected not to play football this fall. The surrounding schools gave it a shot. The year was filled with players missing games and the shuffling of schedules. We have finally made it to state championship time.
There is a big change from normal years. The state championship games will not be held at Memorial Stadium this season. It will be the first time that has happened since 1996.
There were several factors that went into the decision. According to a report from the Omaha World Herald:
NSAA Executive Director Jay Bellar told The World-Herald that the rental cost for Memorial Stadium could not be justified given attendance restrictions from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. That agency, he said, also preferred not having people from 12 communities in town for the finals.
He said initially the health department decided each of the six games planned for the stadium on Nov. 23 and 24 could have 1,000 fans per team, but that amount was put in doubt by Gov. Pete Ricketts’ announcement Friday that high school and college sports may have to drastically curtail attendance amid higher COVID-19 numbers.
The Nebraska School Activities Association announced that state championship games will be played Friday, Nov. 20. The games will be held this year at home sites. In each game the higher-seeded team will host the contest.
- Class A: Elkhorn South at Omaha Westside
- Class B: Aurora at Elkhorn
- Class C1: Adams Central at Pierce
- Class C2: Ord at Archbishop Bergan
- Class D1: Dundy County Stratton at Burwell
- Class D2: Sandhills Thedford at BDS
- Class D6: Sterling at McCool Junction
The Class D6 State Football Championship game will happen normally. It’s played in Kearney at Cope Stadium on Friday, November 20th.
It’s been a tough year for high school athletes around the country. But Nebraska high school football players will have a unique opportunity to play at home in the state championship games. Even if the dream is to play under the lights of Memorial Stadium.
Recruit Watch
>> The Huskers added another member to the 2021 walk on class when Elkhorn slot man Aidan Young committed to them.
Thank you to my family, coaches, friends, and Elkhorn community for your love and support. Mom and dad, thank you for everything you've done for myself and Christian. I’m excited to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Nebraska! pic.twitter.com/Zj1JJaydKX
— AY (@Aiden_Young1) November 15, 2020
>> The Huskers made the cut to eight schools for 2022 Bellevue West tight end Micah Riley.
Recruitment is still open!
Things change!
Top 8! pic.twitter.com/VuHgFKAb5l
— Micah Riley (@micah_r_d) November 14, 2020
>> Check out this big-time play from priority 2022 defender Xavier Nwankpa.
Phenomenal semi final performance so far by @xaviernwankpa01 Showcasing his elite ability to high point the football on this play! #iahsfb pic.twitter.com/pIvbmhdCdh
— David Tann (@DTANN44) November 13, 2020
>> Kentucky 2022 offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin was invited to the 2022 All-American Bowl.
Blessed beyond belief to get invited to the 2022 All American Bowl by @SWiltfong247 and @ErikRichardsUSA. Going to continue to trust the process and work even harder with @Aspirationsgym pic.twitter.com/Jk1aVdPkHF
— Kiyaunta Goodwin (@K_Goodwin2022) November 13, 2020
ICYMI
>> Saturday was a turn-the-page type of win for the Huskers but the story is far from done for the offense writes Brandon Vogel.
>> As Derek Peterson writes, the defensive growth in the program is impossible to ignore.
>> Jacob Padilla’s play of the game was the Huskers’ late game defensive stop.
>> Zavier Betts’ breakout moment as a Husker came on a familiar play.
>> Kearney Catholic’s season came to an end this weekend with a 34-29 loss in the semis.
>> You can check out our gallery from the Husker win and see the highlights from the victory.
>> There were no fans in Memorial Stadium this weekend but the Huskers brought their own energy.