Area football teams make an appearance in the final top ten rankings put out by the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star. Sandhills/Thedford is ranked #2 in the final Class D2 poll by both publications. The Knights finished as the Class D2 state runner-up as they were edged by Kenesaw 46-40 in a thrilling state championship game. It was Sandhills/Thedford’s only loss of the season as they finished the year at 12-1. Ansley/Litchfield appears in the final Class D2 poll released by the Lincoln Journal Star. The publication had the Spartans ranked #9. The Spartans advanced to the Class D2 state quarterfinals where they were edged by Bruning Davenport Shickley. Ansley/Litchfield finished the season with an overall record of 8-3.
Burwell and Anselmo-Merna were each ranked in the top ten of Class D1 by both publications. Burwell was #3 in both polls. The Longhorns had an undefeated regular season and advanced to the Class D1 state semifinals where they were knocked off by eventual state champion Howells/Dodge. Anselmo-Merna was ranked #6 by the Omaha World Herald and #7 by the Lincoln Journal Star. The Coyotes finished the season with an overall record of 9-2. Both losses were to Burwell, once in the regular season and in the Class D1 state quarterfinals.