The 2025 Nebraska Class D1 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. Defending champion Sandy Creek opens at No. 1 after a historic 2024 campaign, but challengers like Stanton, Dundy County Stratton, and Shelby-Rising City are poised to make a serious run. Here’s our preseason Top 10.
10. Lourdes Central Catholic
The Bears return plenty of playmakers and will be looking to turn that talent into a deep playoff run.
9. Johnson-Brock
A program that thrives in November. Their physical style and postseason experience make them dangerous in any matchup.
8. North Platte St. Patrick’s
Built on toughness and discipline, the Irish are never an easy opponent and will grind out close games.
7. Bridgeport
An ascending team with athletes across the board. They have the speed and skill to compete with the state’s best.
6. Thayer Central
Veteran leadership returns, and this squad is built to battle week in and week out.
5. Crofton
A model of consistency — physical in the trenches and fundamentally sound. Always in the conversation come playoff time.
4. Shelby-Rising City
One of the more explosive offenses in Class D1. If they get rolling early, they can light up the scoreboard.
3. Dundy County Stratton
A perennial powerhouse that retools year after year. Expect another big run in 2025.
2. Stanton
Fast, physical, and fueled by last year’s runner-up finish. The Mustangs have their eyes set on a championship return.
1. Sandy Creek – What We Like
The Cougars enter 2025 as the reigning state champions after a season for the ages. They return seven starters on both sides of the ball, giving them depth, experience, and the inside track to another title shot.
- Historic 2024 Season: Sandy Creek outscored opponents 735 to 148 last year and were barely challenged outside of their tight championship battle with Stanton. It was one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen at this level.
- Star Power: Three players land on our Preseason Fantastic 50 — former Super 9th LB Wes Biltoft, senior Alston Clark, and sophomore QB-in-waiting Kam Sealey, who could be the program’s next big star.
- Trenches & Defense: Junior Christian Shaw (2nd team all-district), senior Jonas Amos (290 lbs), and Josh Spray lead a powerful front line. Senior Kaeden Schmidt returns after missing most of last year — in 2023, he posted 91 tackles as a sophomore.
- QB Transition: Replacing 4-year starter Ethan Shaw won’t be easy, but Sealey has the tools and surrounding talent to step in and succeed.
- Tough Early Tests: The Cougars open with road trips to Johnson-Brock and Shelby-Rising City, plus district matchups with Thayer Central, Sutton, and EMF.
With their combination of talent, experience, and program culture, Sandy Creek is positioned to make another deep postseason run — and possibly repeat as state champions.
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