After a long wait since February, when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, it seems football is back and ready to go. The NFL preseason has started, Nebraska is gearing up for their opening game against UTEP, and your 10th-ranked Creighton Prep Junior Jays are fired up to make their mark on Nebraska high school football. After falling to eventual champion Westside in the opening round of last year’s playoffs, the Junior Jays are hungry for a deep run in the Class A playoffs.

With an easier schedule compared to last year’s gauntlet, the Junior Jays have the potential to host a playoff game for the first time since 2021. To prevent a repeat of last year’s 4-6 finish, the Junior Jays need to focus on a few things.

Quarterback play: Elite quarterback play is essential in all levels of football. Senior quarterback Tony Coniglio is returning for his third season as the starter and looks to improve his 11 to 7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 50.9% completion rate.

Offensive line success:  In their six losses last year, the Junior Jays could only surpass 4 yards per rush once. They were held below 2 yards per run by Millard West and Westside (twice) and couldn’t score double digits in any of those games. A consistent run game has to be backed by a powerful offensive line.

Defensive leaders: Last year’s tackles leaders defensive back Zac Mcleay and linebackers Michael Sall and Ryan Uhl have all graduated. Defensive end Sean Skrydlak, last year’s leader in tackles for loss, is a more than welcome return but there is uncertainty on who will lead the linebackers and defensive backs.

I could go on and on about what Prep needs to do to succeed, but these three things will be the primary factors determining the Junior Jays’ success this season.

There are few guarantees each football season. We can’t see how far this team will go, whether it’s state champions or first-round exit.

However, there is one thing we can guarantee: this season will be a whole lot of fun.

Full Schedule:

@ #6 De Smet Jesuit 8/31 (St.Louis)

vs Burke 9/6 (@Phelps Field)

vs Lincoln South 9/13 (@Seeman Stadium)

@ #9 Millard West 9/19

vs Papillion La-Vista 9/26 (@Nile Kinnick Stadium)

@ Omaha Central 10/4

@ Fremont 10/11

vs #1 Omaha Westside 10/17 (@Nile Kinnick Stadium)

@ Norfolk 10/25