A trio of offensive playmakers helped Central City reach the program's first Class C-1 title game. Now the three want to bring home the Bison’s first state championship.
Central City reached last season's final due in large part to the play of quarterback Parker Zikmund (left), running back Corbin Kyes (center) and wide receiver Wyatt Dent (right).
Central City reached last season's final due in large part to the play of quarterback Parker Zikmund, running back Corbin Kyes and wide receiver Wyatt Dent. Zikmund tossed 37 touchdown passes while Kyes and Dent, both all-state selection, combined for 44 scores.
The Bison scored 502 points in 13 games, averaging 38.6, and scored at least 39 nine times in 2024.
“We just had some very talented guys a season ago, and are excited a lot of those guys are back this year as seniors,” Central City coach Troy Huebert said.
Zikmund threw for 2,718 yards in his first varsity season, beating out two seniors in fall camp to earn the starting job.
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Parker Zikmund threw for 2,718 yards in his first varsity season, beating out two seniors in fall camp to earn the starting job.
“He’s a guy that can look at the defense and see what they’re giving us and make sure to get the ball in the right person’s hands,” Huebert said. “We’ve got some dynamic skill-position guys, and he knew that was his role to get them the football.”
Zikmund knew the team would be successful, but even his stats surprised him a little.
“I don’t know if I was expecting that out of myself,” he said. “I knew the team could do it. I wasn’t so sure on myself. After last year, I have all the confidence in the world that we can go back and get the job done.”
Kyes had good numbers, too.
Corbin Kyes became the first Central City running back since 2007 to surpass 1,000 on the ground.
He rushed for 2,007 yards his junior season, becoming the first Central City back since 2007 to surpass 1,000 on the ground. Kyes, who ran for 981 yards as a sophomore, averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 154.4 per game to go with 27 touchdowns. He surpassed 100 rushing yards in 11 games.
“He has super-great vision,” Zikmund said. “At the start of the year, he was just kind of a bulldozing back. But at the end of the year, he really knew how to make cuts and make people miss.”
Kyes injured his knee in the loss to Wahoo in the final. He's working his way back to full health.
“He’s worked his tail off this offseason after the surgery to get back and he’s feeling pretty good,” Huebert said. “He’s really close to being ready to roll. We’re hoping for another great season from him.”
Wyatt Dent caught 78 passes for 1,097 yards and 13 scores to became the big-play receiver for Central City last season.
Dent, meanwhile, caught 78 passes for 1,097 yards and 13 scores to became the big-play receiver.
“He’s a guy that we trust and we count on to make big plays in big-time moments in games for us,” Huebert said. “He’s kind of a safety blanket for Parker. As a quarterback, he knows that if he gets the ball to Wyatt, puts it in his hands or puts it in an area where he can make a play, he’s going to go make it.”
Dent and junior Turner Hanke, who led the Bison with 14 touchdown catches as a sophomore, use speed to get behind the defense. They showed that speed this spring at the state track meet. Dent won the Class B 100 meters, and the duo ran the final two legs of Central City’s winning 400 relay.
“Wyatt and Turner are both just blazers,” Zikmund said. “They have the speed to beat anyone.”
This group of seniors has been playing football together since elementary school.
“We had a good feeling that when this group got into high school that we’d have a chance to put together something special, and you just hope that it all comes to fruition,” Huebert said. “We were thrilled that it all came together last year and we’re hoping to carry that momentum into this season.”
By Andrew Stem
Top 10 teams
1. Wahoo (13-0): No one touched the Warriors as they won the 2024 state title, and coach Chad Fox got his backups ample playing time in the blowouts. Though he says “we will not have the overall depth and we lost all-state caliber players in the lines and at linebacker,” Wahoo has plenty to repeat. Kip Brigham on offense and Harrison Krueger on defense are playmakers. Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense.
2. Central City (11-2): Coach Troy Huebert has the luxury of 18 seniors. The offense is potent behind senior QB Parker Zikmund, with Corbin Kyes a 2,000-yard rusher, Wyatt Dent a 1,000-yard receiver and tight end Turner Haake the leader in TD receptions. Trey Urban is only returning starter on the offensive line. Returning starters: 5, 7.
3. Ashland-Greenwood (9-2): The bulk of the offense returns, starting with Derek Tonjes (2,135 yards passing), Cael Smith (1,195 yards rushing) and leading receiver Cal Kissinger. They’ll miss four-year starters Thomas Spears and Landon Sobota and the lines need restructuring. Returning starters: 7, 6.
4. Columbus Lakeview (10-1): Offensive consistency is a point of emphasis, coach Kurt Frenzen said. Their defense was program-record strong, allowing 207 yards per game and picking off 17 passes. Wide receiver Blake Rathbone is the team’s returning offensive MVP. Brandon DeAnda was 8 of 10 on field goals. Returning starters: 8, 8.
5. Sidney (11-1): The Red Raiders probably can’t use 22 or 23 players in tight games, as in the past two seasons, so depth building is a priority while reloading. They’re solid on all three levels of defense, and best on the D-line. Three are back on the offensive line, plus quarterback Alex Doty, wide receiver Lance Holly and Iowa State commit Keian Kaiser at tight end. Returning starters: 6, 4.
6. Auburn (10-2): A large senior class that took the Bulldogs to the 2024 semifinal is gone. They’ll reload around two-way starters Camden Taylor, Brenton Wenzl, Crew Gulizia and Noah Hanley. There will be new starters at quarterback and running back. Returning starters: 5, 5.
7. Cozad (7-3): Haymaker great Jared Crick came home to coach. Cozad graduated three-year linchpins Noah Shoemaker and Lane Wright. Halfback/outside linebacker Olliver Davis leads the returning corps. Junior middle guard Myles Ide will be in his third year as a two-way starter. Returning starters: 7, 6.
8. Pierce (4-5): The Bluejays had their once-a-decade dropoff, exacerbated by a demanding schedule that’s still there. With 20 players from the senior class, the 18 returning starters aren’t unexpected. Kaiden Fritz and Ryder Theisen are all-around athletes, coach Darin Suckstorf said. Returning starters: 9, 9.
9. Aurora (3-6): Last year’s record was the first under .500 in 20 years for the Huskies who, like Pierce, were assigned a daunting schedule. “It was not the year that anyone in Aurora expected. Despite the challenges, we played pretty good football the last part of 2024,” coach Kyle Peterson said. “We will be a much more physical team. In my experience that usually leads to good football.” Returning starters: 8, 11.
10. O’Neill (8-2): Coach Brock Eichelberger said there’s a buzz around the program. Most of its 14 returning starters are two-way players, starting with Porter “Hammer” Mathews. The hard-hitting safety will get turned loose as the featured running back. Returning starters: 7, 7.
By Stu Pospisil
Players to watch
Returning all-staters
Parker Osten, Columbus Lakeview, OL, 6-0, 220, Sr.: The leader of a defense that allowed 207 yards per game in 2024.
Kip Brigham, Wahoo, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr.: Averaged 12.4 yards per carry, 30 yards per punt return and 34 per kick return.
Brandon DeAnda, Columbus Lakeview, RB/LB/K, 5-10, 180, Sr.: Was all-district at linebacker and the Vikings’ top rusher.
Eli Shada, Wahoo, TE/DE, 6-4, 215, Sr.: Key contributor on both platoons for the defending state champs.
Keian Kaiser, Sidney, LB, 6-3, 210, Sr.: Will be key as the Red Raiders rebuild their defense.
Landon Mohs, Ashland-Greenwood, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.: Ready to defend opponents’ best receivers.
Others to watch
Derek Tonjes, Ashland-Greenwood, QB, 6-5, 195, Sr.: A second year running the Jays’ offense could mean more carries.
Alek Doty, Sidney, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Sr.: He’ll be working with new players at RB and WR.
Canon Allen, Aurora, WR, 5-9, 165, Sr.: Is capable of playing receiver, quarterback or running back.
Corbin Kyes, Central City, RB/LB, 5-7, 180, Sr.: Power and breakaway speed combined for a 2,000-yard year.
Wyatt Dent, Central City, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.: On pace to set many Bison receiving records.
Olliver Davis, Cozad, HB/LB, 6-0, 175, Sr.: The rare running back who was his team’s top receiver.
Parker Zikmund, Central City, QB, 6-1, 175, Sr.: Threw for 2,700 yards and 37 TDs as the Bison reached the state final.
Jase Kaminski, Wahoo, QB/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.: Expect the program's record-setting passer to run more.
By Stu Pospisil
Games to watch
Aurora at Pierce, Aug. 29: Not a single breather on Aurora’s schedule — Pierce won last year's matchup 41-28.
Sidney at Cozad, Aug. 29: New Cozad coach Jared Crick debuts against a semifinalist.
Wahoo at Ashland-Greenwood, Sept. 5: Saunders County bragging rights on the line. Wahoo won 28-14 last season.
Central City at Cozad, Sept. 5: Both teams put up season-high scores in last year’s meeting won by Cozad 56-55.
Aurora at Wahoo, Sept. 12: This was Wahoo RB Kip Brigham’s eight-TD game last year in its 66-24 victory.
Ashland-Greenwood at Auburn, Sept. 19: Both teams favored as district champions.
Columbus Scotus at Columbus Lakeview, Oct. 10: Scotus, which lost the playoff rematch 14-7, scored the most on Lakeview (in a 26-22 loss) all season.
Central City at Aurora, Oct. 24: Could be a must-win for Aurora for the playoffs.
O’Neill at Columbus Lakeview, Oct. 24: Lakeview will be the best opponent O’Neill plays.
By Stu Pospisil
Photos: All-Nebraska football teams through the years
2024
The Omaha World-Herald 2024 All-Nebraska Football Team, (front row, from left), Bennington's Kyler Lauridsen, Wahoo Neumann's Conor Booth, Omaha Westside's Christian Jones, Millard South's Carter Glab, Omaha Westside's Keynan Cotton, Papillion-La Vista's Logan Holtmeyer, Omaha Central's Ike Ackerman, Omaha Westside's Tay Tay Jenkins, (middle row, from left), Omaha Skutt's Joe Kolega, Omaha North's Tyson Terry, Millard South's Adam Pugh, Omaha North's Darion Jones, Omaha North's Max Clark, Millard South's Amarion Jackson, Millard South's DaShawn Prince, (back rom, from left), Kearney's Sawyer Schilke, Kearney's Jake Kracl, Millard South's Jett Thomalla, Gretna's Kalvin Janssen, Millard South's Isaac Jensen, Papillion-La Vista's Garin Maley, Millard South's Chase Loftin, Omaha North's Connor Cook, pose for a photo at Warren Academy in the Omaha Sports Complex in Omaha on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
2023
2023 All-Nebraska football team: (front row, from left) Millard South's Amarion Jackson, Omaha Westside's Jahmez Ross, Millard West's Jackson Williams, Omaha Westside's Beau Ryan, Ainsworth's Carter Nelson; (second row, from left) Omaha Central's Caleb Pyfrom, Omaha Westside's Teddy Rezac, Omaha North's Tyson Terry, Omaha Westside's Caleb Benning, Lincoln East's Dash Bauman, Millard South's JR Lecuona; (third row from left) Millard South's Max Gray, Omaha Westside's Anthony Rezac, Omaha Creighton Prep's Zac McLeay, Wahoo Neumann's Conor Booth, Elkhorn South's Ashton Murphy, Omaha Westside's Christian Jones; (back row, from left) Columbus' Kael Forney, Papillion-La Vista's Payton Prestito, Omaha Westside's Jack Wing, Gretna's Kalvin Janssen, Omaha Westside's Broc Regner, Omaha North's Donovan Jones and Kearney's Sawyer Schilke.
2022
2022 All-Nebraska football team: From top left: Grenta’s Zane Flores (honorary captain), Lincoln Southeast’s Gunnar Gottula, Omaha Central’s Caleb Pyfrom, Gretna’s Mason Goldman, Millard South’s Lance Rucker, Gretna’s Korver Demma, Grand Island Northwest’s Victor Isele, Elkhorn South’s Maverick Noonan, Omaha Westside’s Curt Cubrich, Grand Island’s Jace Chrisman, Omaha Westside’s Tristan Alvano and Omaha Creighton Prep’s Sam Sledge. Front row: Omaha Gross’ Sal Nacarelli, Bellevue West’s Isaiah McMorris, Omaha North’s Te’Shaun Porter, Elkhorn South’s Cole Ballard, Pierce’s Ben Brahmer (honorary captain), Bellevue West’s Daniel Kaelin, Grand Island’s Colton Marsh, Omaha Westside’s Caleb Benning, North Platte’s Kolten Tilford, Millard South’s Brock Murtaugh, Omaha Creighton Prep’s Marty Brown and Omaha Westside’s Jaylen Lloyd.
2021
2021 All-Nebraska football team: Sitting, from left: Grand Island's Kytan Fyfe, Omaha Westside's Caleb Benning, Bellevue West's Micah Riley-Ducker, Fremont Bergan's Koa McIntyre, Millard South's Gage Stenger, North Platte's Vince Genatone. Standing, from left: Omaha Westside's Tristan Alvano, Aurora's Gage Griffith, Elkhorn South's Maverick Noonan, Omaha North's Keshaun Williams, Papillion-La Vista's Will Hubert, Gretna's Mick Huber, Omaha Burke's Devon Jackson, Bennington's Dylan Mostek, Gretna's Zane Flores, Bellevue West's LJ Richardson, Columbus's Ernest Hausmann, Bellevue West's Henry Rickels, Gretna's Mason Goldman, Omaha Central's Deshawn Woods, Bellevue West's Kaden Helms, Pierce's Ben Brahmer, Waverly's Trevor Brown, Omaha Creighton Prep's Sam Sledge.
2020
2019
Standing, left to right, Omaha Westside's Cade Haberman, Lincoln Southeast's Isaac Gifford, Waverly's Trevor Brown, Omaha Westside's Cole Payton, Scottsbluff's Sabastian Harsh, Bellevue West's Thomas Ault, Omaha Westside's Avante Dickerson, Millard South's Kohl Herbolsheimer, Bellevue West's Zavier Betts, Millard West's Dalys Beanum, Lincoln Southeast's Xavier Trevino, Bellevue West's Jay Ducker, Millard West's Dane Christensen, Omaha Westside's Grant Tagge, Elkhorn South's Teddy Prochazka. Sitting, left to right, Bellevue West's Jack McDonnell, Millard South's Isaiah Harris, Bellevue West's Nate Glantz, Omaha Skutt's Tyson Gordon, Grand Island's Caleb Francl, Omaha Burke's Xavier Watts, Grand Island's Broc Douglass, Bellevue West's Matt Thompson, Grand Island Central Catholic's Dietrick Stolz
2018
Front row, from left: Sam Sims, Grand Island; Dietrick Stolz, Grand Island Central Catholic; James Burks, Omaha Burke; Dylan Sales, Omaha Burke; Shane Dailey, Bellevue West; Jarod Epperson, Omaha Skutt. Second row, from left: D.J. Gross, McCook; Garrett Snodgrass, York; Xavier Watts, Omaha Burke; Jevyon Ducker, Bellevue West; Kohl Herbolsheimer, Millard South; Alex Rodgers, Omaha Roncalli. Third row, from left: Joseph Krause, Seward; Ethan Piper, Norfolk Catholic; Nick Henrich, Omaha Burke; Garrett Nelson, Scottsbluff; Chris Hickman, Omaha Burke. Back row, from left: Zavier Betts, Bellevue West; Mehki Butler, Omaha North; Caden Johnson, Wahoo Neumann; Tyson Gordon, Omaha Skutt; Baylor Scheierman, Aurora; Noah Stafursky, York. Not pictured: Isaiah Alford, Lincoln High
2017
Like the burr oaks at Mahoney State Park that were the backdrop for this photo, the 2017 All-Nebraska football team branched out with players from the Wyoming state line to the Missouri River.
2016
The 2016 All-Nebraska football team "earned their wings" at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
Back row from left: York's Masry Mapieu, Bellevue West's Sylvo Johnson, Lincoln East's Chris Walker, Gretna's Patrick Arnold, Bellevue West's Tyler Ciurej, Omaha Burke's Cole Frahm, Wilber-Clatonia's Riley Homolka, Norfolk's Lane McCallum, Ashland-GW's Brett Kitrell, and Beatrice's Cam Jurgens.
Middle row from left: Kearney's Noah Urbanek, Bellevue West's Jaylin Bradley, Omaha North's Kendrick Parker, Omaha North's Milton Sargbah, Elkhorn South's Moses Bryant, Omaha Skutt's Christian Banker, and Creighton Prep's AJ Hubner.
Front row from left: Wahoo Neumann's Noah Vedral, Omaha North's Zion Williams, Bellevue West's Diego Galvan, McCook's Zach Schlager, Bellevue West's Kevin Ponec, Norris' Austin Schultz, and Millard North's Jack Begley.
2015
The 2015 All-Nebraska football team gathered at Papillion-La Vista High School for the photo shoot.
2014
The 2014 All-Nebraska football team posted on the steps of the Joslyn Art Museum. The cover read: "A Step Ahead: The 24 members of the All-Nebraska football team towered over foes."
Back rows, starting from left: Papillion-La Vista South’s Jeremy Kowalski, No. 75; Seward’s Adam Holtorf, No. 79; Papillion-La Vista South’s Ryan Earith; Kearney’s Brian Arp, No. 55; Elkhorn South’s Brett Stinson; Grand Island’s Kevin Cahoy, No. 12; Omaha Central’s Tre Sanders, No. 6; Omaha Central’s DaiShon Neal, No. 9; Grand Island’s Pierce Almond, No. 2; Blair’s Vance Janssen; Bellevue West’s CJ Johnson; Boone Central/Newman Grove’s Wyatt Mazour; Omaha Central’s Xavier Graham, No. 64; Creighton Prep’s Jeremiah Stovall; and Creighton Prep’s Jack McLeay, No. 54. Front rows, starting from left: Omaha North’s Cole Bixler, No. 34; Omaha North’s Michael Decker, No. 78; Omaha North’s Calvin Strong, No. 5; Omaha North’s Jason Martin; Grand Island Central Catholic’s Youhanna Ghaifan; Millard North’s Adrrell Taylor, No. 27; Omaha North’s Marquise Lewis, No. 1; McCook’s Bryce Lyons, No. 21; and Omaha North’s Markell Vaughn, No. 22.
2013
In 2013, the All-Nebraska football and volleyball teams came together for a photo shoot, and the cover was designed to look like a Facebook page with the teams taking one big selfie.
2012
The 2012 All-Nebraska football team made a splash in the shark tunnel of the Scott Aquarium at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Standing, from left: Luke McNitt, Kearney; DJ Foster, Lincoln Southeast; Josh Banderas, Lincoln Southwest; Nick DeLuca, Millard North; Harrison Phillips, Millard West; Mike Milenkovich, Millard North; Bryce Sosnowski, Millard South; Nathan Bazata, Howells-Dodge; Casey Sayles, Omaha North.
Middle row: Christian LaCouture, Lincoln Southwest; Jordan Bellar, Norfolk Catholic; Clay Fisher Millard North; Isaac Aakre, Millard North; Matt Kraft, Millard South; Alec Ditoro, Papillion-La Vista; Jake Schlager, McCook; Lee Carhart, Creighton Prep; Freeman Coleman, Millard South.
Front row: Andy Bayne, Millard North; Trey Carr, Omaha Burke; Calvin Strong, Omaha North; Skyler Monaghan, Millard West; Devin Washington, Lincoln Southeast; RJ Urzendowski, Creighton Prep.
2011
With the Omaha skyline in the background, the 2011 All-Nebraska football team was "Standing Tall" at Pioneer Courage Park not far from the Omaha World-Herald building.
Bottom Row (from left): Tay Bender, RB, Lincoln Southwest; Isaac Aakre, RB, Millard North; Landon Arnold, OL, Millard North; Andrew Coppa, DL, Omaha Burke; Trey Foster, DL, Lincoln Southeast; Bo Liekhus, DB, Bellevue West.
Middle Row (from left): Darian Barrientos-Jackson, DB, Omaha Central; James Anderson, OL, Omaha Burke; Andy Janovich, LB, Gretna; Drew Farlee, K, Norfolk Catholic; Mike Minter Jr., DB, Lincoln North Star; Sam Cotton, DL, Lincoln Southeast; Devin Washington, RB, Lincoln Southeast; Sam Foltz, DB, Grand Island; Jeremy Callahan, P, Lexington; Robbie Lafour, OL, Lincoln Southeast; Jake Schany, LB, Blair; Jordan Nelson, RB, Omaha Burke; Ryker Fyfe, QB, Grand Island.
Top Row (from left): Jordan Brichacek, OL, Howells; Zach Oliver, WR, Omaha Burke; Terry Grigsby, DB, Omaha North; Drew Ott, LB, Giltner; Mike Shoff, OL, Cambridge.
2010
All-Nebraska football captains Jimmie Forsythe of Omaha Burke and Tyson Broekemeier of Aurora were the focus in 2010 during this shoot at Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.
2009
The 2009 All-Nebraska football hopped aboard this old streetcar at the Durham Museum.
2008
There was "nothing pedestrian" about the 2008 All-Nebraska football team, which posed in front of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
Back row, from left, Tyrone Sellers of McCook, Corey Serrano of North Platte, Nathan Zook of Grand Island, Eric Koehlmoos of Pierce, Tyler Daake of Norfolk Catholic, Tyler Niederklein of Millard West, Charles Viers of Millard West, Josh Kage of Papillion-LaóVista, Jake Herweyer of Millard West, Cole Pensick of Lincoln Northeast, Jordan Hale of Millard South, Andrew Rodriguez of Aurora, James Davis of Omaha North, Jon Lechner of Prep, Scott Criss of Omaha Creighton Prep and C.J. Zimmerer of Omaha Gross. Front row, Matt Berry of McCook, Braden Taylor of Grand Island, Vinny Molina of Kearney, Kohlman Adema-Schulte of Millard West, Bryant Giles of Omaha North, Michael Burrus of Papillion-LaóVista South, Ronald Coleman of North, Tyler Seals of Bellevue West and Greg Hardin of Bellevue West.
2007
For the 2007 All-Nebraska football team, The World-Herald chose individual shots for the cover instead of the group photo, and the result was "Picture Perfect."
2006
No challenge was too steep for the "Rock Solid" 2006 All-Nebraska football team, who posed in front of a climbing wall at Dick's Sporting Goods.
2005
The 2005 All-Nebraska football team wore letterman jackets for the photo shoot instead of their jerseys.
Top, from left, Millard North's Corey Young, Lincoln Southwest's Ian Dike, Millard North's Adam Nelson, Bellevue West's Silas Fluellen, Omaha Central's D.J. Jones (back row), Millard North's Jeff Tarpinian, Kearney's Tony Green, Lincoln Southwest's Ben Martin, Bellevue West's Jeff Martin, Lincoln Southwest's Ollie Sloup, Papillion-LaVista's Kyle Dooley and McCook's Josh Cherry.
Bottom, from left, Omaha Benson's Anthony Williams, Kearney's Joey Rousseau, Lincoln Southwest's Andy Cotton, Omaha Burke's Ricky Henry, Omaha South's Philip Barrientos, Creighton Prep's Mark Waring, Omaha Burke's Alex Henery, Millard West's Brandon Pete, Omaha Burke's Travis Liechti, Millard North's Paul Homer, Omaha North's Aaron Terry and Millard West's Matt Leaders.
2004
Nothing says football like rows of poinsettias. Those were the accents that went with this photo shoot for the 2004 All-Nebraska football team.
