CLASS A BOYS

Team (2007 record)     Pvs.

  1. Millard South (18-5)    3

  2. Millard West (12-9)    7

  3. Lincoln Southwest (10-4)    5

  4. Kearney (14-3)    4

  5. Lincoln East (13-4)    2

  6. Lincoln Southeast (13-4)    6

  7. Millard North (22-0)    1

  8. Bellevue East (13-5)    10

  9. Omaha Westside (10-9)    -

10. Omaha Creighton Prep (9-9)    -

Case for No. 1 — This is a weird class to begin the season, with no clear-cut favorite. Millard North had a historic season last year, but lost everyone but the head coach. Lincoln East, too, lost a bunch of great players. So a case for the top spot could be made by three teams. For now, Millard South’s experience and the manner in which it won many close games last season gives it the edge. Millard West may have more talent, but the breakdowns seen in a few games last year cause some concern. Things may come together better for the Wildcats this season, and if they do,  Millard West will be tough to beat.

CLASS B BOYS

Team (2007 record)     Pvs.

  1. Omaha Skutt (12-8)    1

  2. Lincoln Pius X (15-2)    2

  3. South Sioux City (14-3)    6

  4. Elkhorn (14-6)    4

  5. Schuyler (10-4)    5

  6. Lincoln Lutheran (15-3)    3

  7. Gretna (11-6)    9

  8. Hastings (12-5)    8

  9. Northwest (13-5)    -

10. Columbus Scotus (9-6)    10

Case for No. 1 — Who can forget the crazy season Omaha Skutt had last year. The SkyHawks lost their first four games of the year. They won when it mattered, though, winning their last five games and beating Pius X for the state title. Most of the SkyHawks return, and it shouldn’t take them as long to get in a groove. They have multiple scoring threats and a goaltender (Josh Walz) who can stop a lot of them. Pius X is still Pius X. The Thunderbolts can overcome some key losses (Julian Cardona and Tyler Polak are playing elite ball elsewhere) and probably be in the final four at the finish.

CLASS A GIRLS

Team (2007 record)     Pvs.

  1. Millard West (18-3)    1

  2. Millard North (15-5)    3

  3. Omaha Westside (18-5)    2

  4. Omaha Marian (13-5)    4

  5. Lincoln Southeast (12-6)    7

  6. Lincoln Southwest (10-3)    6

  7. Millard South (13-6)    5

  8. Bellevue East (10-8)    -

  9. Papillion-La Vista South (12-7)    8

10. Lincoln East (10-6)      10

Case for No. 1 — This was another class that was tough to pick the top team. Millard West had a heck of a ride in the postseason last year. The Wildcats knocked off each of the top four ranked teams in the postseason to win its first state title. Millard West was young last year, and its biggest losses come on defense. Millard North probably has the most talent, led by Molly Thomas. The Mustangs had a lot of that same talent last year, too, but didn’t look as great playing against better competition in the second half of the season.

CLASS B GIRLS

Team (2007 record)     Pvs.

  1. Elkhorn (21-1)    1

  2. Gretna (15-3)    5

  3. Omaha Skutt (14-4)    6

  4. Omaha Mercy (12-5)    2

  5. Lincoln Pius X (12-4)    3

  6. Columbus Scotus (11-6)    4

  7. Hastings (13-4)    7

  8. Omaha Gross (9-6)    8

  9. Blair (11-5)    10

10. Gering (9-6)    -

Case for No. 1 — It may be a different dynamic this season, but Elkhorn will still win a lot of games. Last season, the Antlers scored a ton of goals and stopped enough to win the state championship. To start this season, Elkhorn’s strength is in the defense. The midfield is pretty good, too, with a pair of NCAA Division I-caliber players (Makenzie Gillaspie and Liz McNeil). This will be a fun class to watch, with 11 of the 20 all-state players returning.