Football · Preview · Class A
No. 5 Elkhorn South vs. No. 12 Elkhorn North: they meet again one week after Elkhorn South's 27-17 win
No. 5 Elkhorn South (6-3) hosts No. 12 Elkhorn North (6-3) in the Class A first round Fri., Oct. 30. Stats, charts, players to watch, history and keys to the game.
Publication check, Oct. 28: Current NSAA seeds, records and point averages checked; kickoff and host details synchronized with the verified site schedule. Season statistics and chart reporting remain the dated Week9 draft snapshot, not a new full-season audit.
Seeds, records and point averages: NSAA's official bracket, Oct. 24, 2026. Scores: NSAA finals. Player stats: MaxPreps game reports through Week 9. Coaches poll: Hurrdat Sports, Oct. 18.
Elkhorn South and Elkhorn North have already seen each other this season: on Oct. 23, Elkhorn South won 27-17. Now they meet again with the season on the line.
The game is Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:00 PM CT. Reported site: Elkhorn Stadium. Current Game Center and source links →
The matchup at a glance
Elkhorn South finished 2.0000 points ahead of Elkhorn North in NSAA's point averages. Elkhorn South scored 26.6 and allowed 18.6 points a game; Elkhorn North scored 30.8 and allowed 16.4. Elkhorn South's opponents went a combined 53-28, and Elkhorn North's went 38-43.
| Elkhorn South | Elkhorn North | |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | No. 5 | No. 12 |
| Record (NSAA) | 6-3 | 6-3 |
| NSAA point average | 42.6667 | 40.6667 |
| Coaches poll (Oct. 18) | No. 6 | Receiving votes |
| Points scored / game | 26.6 | 30.8 |
| Points allowed / game | 18.6 | 16.4 |
| Average margin | +8.0 | +14.4 |
| vs. playoff teams | 5-3 | 1-3 |
| vs. winning teams | 5-3 | 2-3 |
| One-score games | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| Opponents' combined record | 53-28 | 38-43 |
| Last 3 games | W 28-21, W 29-7, W 27-17 | W 31-17, L 17-21, L 17-27 |
| Streak | Won 3 | Lost 2 |
How Elkhorn South got here
Elkhorn South finished the regular season 6-3, scoring 239 points and allowing 167. All three losses came against teams with winning records: at Papillion-La Vista South (6-3), 17-14; Millard South (8-1), 49-17; Millard North (8-1), 14-13. Its best win by opponent was a 38-14 win over Kearney (6-3), a playoff team. Against teams that made this year's playoff field, it went 5-3. It comes in on a 3-game winning streak, capped by a 27-17 win over Elkhorn North (6-3) in Week 9.
How Elkhorn North got here
Elkhorn North finished the regular season 6-3, scoring 246 points and allowing 131. All three losses came against teams with winning records: Bennington (8-1), 42-13; Papillion-La Vista (7-2), 21-17; at Elkhorn South (6-3), 27-17. Its best win by opponent was a 31-17 win over Columbus (5-4), a playoff team. Against teams that made this year's playoff field, it went 1-3. In Week 9 it had a 27-17 loss at Elkhorn South (6-3). The defense posted two shutouts. NSAA lists Elkhorn North at 6-3. Our score data doesn't have its Oct. 8 at Omaha Benson result yet, so the per-game numbers here cover 8 games.
By the numbers
Shared opponent
They played one of the same opponent. Elkhorn South went 1-0 in those games and Elkhorn North went 1-0. Different weeks and sites, so it's a rough guide.
| Opponent | Elkhorn South | Elkhorn North |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus * | W 28-21 | W 31-17 |
Players to watch
Season totals from MaxPreps game reports through Week 9. Not every game has a report, so treat these as minimums.
Elkhorn South
- C. Buller (QB): 578 passing yards, 39 of 68, 3 TD, 1 INT; also 336 rushing yards
- J. Kiscoan: 975 rushing yards (7.8 per carry), 16 TD
- H. Conkey: 15 catches, 316 yards, 2 TD
- J. Hoskinson: 80 tackles
MaxPreps game reports cover 8 of its 9 games.
Elkhorn North
- A. McMurtry (QB): 1,832 passing yards, 132 of 201, 18 TD, 7 INT
- A. Taylor: 708 rushing yards (5.6 per carry), 11 TD
- D. Meyer: 40 catches, 585 yards, 8 TD
- V. DiPrima: 83 tackles, 4 for loss
- Z. Wolfe: 3.5 sacks
- L. Jacobsmeier: 5 interceptions
- Zach Wolfe (EDGE), one of our top 2027 recruits
MaxPreps game reports cover 9 of its 8 games.
Historical program and playoff-series claims are withheld pending school-identity verification. Current-season reporting above is unaffected.
Keys to the game
- Can Elkhorn South slow Elkhorn North's offense? Elkhorn North averaged 30.8 points; Elkhorn South allowed 18.6. Elkhorn North scored 30 or more in 5 of 8 games.
- Elkhorn South's answer. It scored 26.6 a game, and Elkhorn North's defense allowed 16.4. In its losses, though, Elkhorn South averaged 14.7.
- Tested against playoff teams. Elkhorn South went 5-3 against this year's playoff field; Elkhorn North went 1-3.
- If it's close late. In one-score games (8 points or fewer), Elkhorn South was 2-2 and Elkhorn North was 0-1.
- C. Buller and the ball. Elkhorn South's quarterback threw 1 interception in 68 reported attempts; Elkhorn North's L. Jacobsmeier has 5 picks.
- Stopping J. Kiscoan. Elkhorn South's top rusher has 975 reported yards and 16 touchdowns. Elkhorn North allowed 16.4 points a game.
What's next
The winner plays the winner of No. 4 Bennington vs. No. 13 Lincoln Southwest in the quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 6. Higher seeds host through the semifinals. The Class A state final is Mon., Nov. 23, 7:15 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Lincoln.
Game center: kickoff, live score and bracket path → · Full Class A bracket →
Verified state finals schedule → · Class bracket →
Elkhorn South team center → · Elkhorn North team center →
Nebraska football scores and schedules → · Football playoff tracker →
Result note: a 1–0 entry is shown as listed by NSAA. It is not treated as evidence of an on-field score or a confirmed forfeit.