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-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. 1 NORFOLK CATHOLIC
District 4

COACH: Jeff Bellar, 31st season

LAST SEASON: The Knights went 13-0 and won a second consecutive state title.

RETURNING STARTERS: Jordan Bellar, senior, QB. Connor Ketter, senior, TE/DE. Riley Knake, senior, WR/LB. Kyle Schaefer, senior, RB/LB. Nick Arlt, senior, RB/DB. Brandon Becker, senior, WR/FS. Garret McCarthy, senior, OG/DL. Michael Obermiller, senior, C/G. Mitch Hoferer, senior, OG/DE

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bellar returns after throwing for 1,400 yards and rushing for 500 a season ago.

ON OFFENSE: Much of last year’s balanced attack returns for a chance at a three-peat. Ketter and Knake will be two of Bellar’s most trusted targets through the air.

ON DEFENSE: McCarthy and Hoferer will lead up front in the Knights’ 4-4 defense, which gave up less than 10 points per game last season.

GAME TO WATCH: Norfolk Catholic will hit the road to square off with another one of C-1’s promising teams — Wahoo — on Sept. 21.

DISTRICT OPPONENTS: Pierce, West Point-Beemer, Madison

2012 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24, at Columbus Lakeview
Aug. 30, Wahoo Neumann
Sept. 7, at Boone Central
Sept. 14, Madison
Sept. 21, at Wahoo
Oct. 5, West Point-Beemer
Oct. 12 Pierce
Oct. 18 at Wayne

— Vinny Benedetto

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