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, Class C-2 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. 10 CAMBRIDGE
District 9

COACH: Josh Graves, seventh year

RETURNING STARTERS: Jordan Volk, senior, TE/LB; Austin Rice, senior, C/DE; Weston Rich, OG/LB; Zane Petersen, TE/LB.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior TJ Gregory will likely start as quarterback. His dual-threat approach will strengthen Cambridge’s offensive options. Volk returns at tight end as an all-conference honorable mention last season.

COACH’S QUOTE: “We will be relying on a number of talented sophomores to play key roles on both sides of the ball.”

— Brandon Behrens

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No. 9 TRI COUNTY
District 2

COACH: John McGary, fourth year

RETURNING STARTERS: Austin Barnts, senior, OT/DE; Connor Moeller, senior, FB/LB; Hunter Garrison, senior, QB/LB; Evan Brandt, senior, C/DE; Jason Zimmerman, senior, OL/DT.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Junior running back Sam Schmidt will be a key component to Tri County’s success.

COACH’S QUOTE: “We have a good set of seniors returning who know how to win. Our junior class is small and we will need to have a few sophomores step up. Our boys expect to win and they play to win.”

— Brandon Behrens

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No. 8 HARTINGTON CEDAR CATHOLIC
District 6

COACH: Chad Cattau, 11th year

RETURNING STARTERS: Taylor Kathol, junior, QB/FS; Grant Dickes, senior, WR/DB; Connor Wieseler, junior, OL/DL; Danny Loecker, senior, OL/DE; Trent Jansen, senior, TE/DE; Frank Herbolsheimer, senior, RB/LB.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Wieseler. The junior had 82 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, 17 1/2 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles last season.

COACH’S QUOTE: “I believe we have an opportunity to have a very successful season if we get our younger kids to step up and fill some big roles for us.”

— Brandon Behrens

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No. 7 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN

NOTE: The Crusaders will move to Class C-1 this season and play in District 2 after losing in the state semifinals a year ago.

COACH: Matt Farup, 10th year

Returning starters: Austin Powell, senior, OL/DL; Phillip Grophaus, sophomore, C/DL; Chase Stokey, junior, OL/DL; Pat Wagner, senior, WR/DB; Leighton Chicoine, junior, WR/DB

PLAYER TO WATCH: Powell. The senior was an honorable mention all-state lineman last year, and the offense and defense will rely on Powell’s all-state capabilities to maximize their potential.

COACH’S QUOTE: “We want to continue the progress that we’ve been making the past five years here. We lost a lot of skill players including our quarterback and running back. But I think we have some talented kids we expect to do well and compete. The thing we don’t have is experience in those positions, so I think we have to play pretty well early, protect the ball, play smart and just gain experience.”

— Connor Schuessler

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No. 6 NORTH PLATTE ST. PATRICK’S
District 9

COACH: Kevin Dodson, 14th year

RETURNING STARTERS: Joseph Clinch, senior, OL/DL; Henry Aufdenkamp, senior, TE/LB; Sean Keenan, senior, QB/DB; Pedro Martinez, senior, OL/DL

PLAYER TO WATCH: Clinch. Clinch will be a key for the Irish offense. He is the most experienced returning lineman, which will be essential in the trenches.

COACH’S QUOTE: “We have to develop some depth as the season goes along. All of our starting skill positions graduated. Right now, we’re just focusing on ourselves with two-a-days and getting prepared for Kimball. With an inexperienced team, you just hope to improve every week and hope you are playing good ball by the end the year. And we think we will be.”

— Connor Schuessler

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