The Varsity soccer squad has come extremely close to the state title the past three seasons. In 2014, Prep lost in the semifinals to archrival, Westside. In 2015 and 2016, Prep was defeated in the championship game to Millard West and Omaha South, respectively.

This year, however, things are different. 10 of 16 seniors on the squad played significant minutes last season. This team has an abundance of senior leadership unlike any team in recent Prep history.

In fact, Coach Jim Swanson says his primary struggle will be, “Having so many good players, our foreseeable hurdle is finding playing time for everyone. It is key that we get everyone to buy into sharing playing time. That is how we hope to develop good team chemistry.”

Senior Ed Gordon, 2016 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, aspires, “My personal goals for this season are to stay healthy throughout the whole season and to win Gatorade Player of the Year again as well as be the All State boys captain again this year.” Gordon hopes to make his third year in the Varsity lineup better unlike years past by having a shutout season, becoming a metro champ, district champ, and finally, leading his team to a state championship.

Noah Floersch, another senior in his third season on Varsity, hopes lead the defensive line for Prep to a shutout season, as well. Floersch, a center defensive back, believes the goal of a shutout season is bold, but extremely reasonable for Prep’s seasoned, experienced, defensive line. Floersch also thinks that Prep can win metros, districts, and state to bring the title back to Prep for the first time since 2012.

According to Floersch, “I honestly think we can accomplish each of our goals as long as we keep our heads and play the way we’ve been practicing.”

The Junior Jays are ranked number one in the state by the Lincoln Star in the preseason rankings. Expectations are high for this talented Varsity squad. Only time will tell if they manage to secure the state trophy or extend the unexpectedly long drought for a state title.