Leading up to the Nebraska high school football season, NEPrepZone.com will be looking at the top teams in each class, based on last year’s rankings. This week, Eight Man-1 will be in the spotlight with a new post each day. Let us know in the comments how you think each team will finish, as well as players you’ll be watching.

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No. 4 KENESAW

NOTE: The Blue Devils move to Eight Man-2 this season after finishing 11-1 and losing in the Eight Man-1 state semifinals last season. They’ll play in District 6 this year.

COACH: Craig Schnitzler, 11th season

RETURNING STARTERS: Tyler Schnitzler, senior, QB/DB; Mason Stocker, senior, TE/DE; Dalton Bender, senior, OL/DL; Michael Duffy, junior, OL/LB

KEY RETURNING STARTER: Schnitzler. The 6-foot, 180-pound quarterback had over 2,200 all-purpose yards a season ago and totaled 31 touchdowns. Defensively he added 56 tackles from his defensive back position.

KEY DEPARTURES: Gavin Robinson, Zane Woodman and Mason Stocker were all-state honorable mentions a season ago.

ON OFFENSE: With Schnitzler manning the backfield, and a pair of 200-pounders in Duffer and Bender returning on the line, the Blue Devils should make an impact while moving down a class.

ON DEFENSE: Three all-district players from a season ago will be paired with some varsity newcomers hoping to make an impact.

GAME TO WATCH: Oct. 12, at Shelton

DISTRICT OPPONENTS: Shelton, Amherst, Axtell, Wilcox-Hildreth, Lawrence-Nelson

COACH’S QUOTE: “We have a very good talent base in our senior and junior classes, and this should provide us with the talent to play with anyone on our schedule.”

2012 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24, Pleasanton
Aug. 31, at Dorchester
Sept. 14, at Giltner
Sept. 28, at Wilcox-Hildreth
Oct. 5, Amherst
Oct. 12, at Shelton
Oct. 19, Axtell

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For more prep football previews, go to Omaha.com/preppreviews