The Omaha World Herald released its all state football selections for all classes for the 2023 season. It was an outstanding season for high school football in the KCNI/KBBN coverage area and the numerous names listed as first team all state lend credibility to that. The Class D2 state champion Sandhills/Thedford placed three players on the Class D2 all state first team. Kyle Cox was selected as quarterback on the all state first team offense and was named as honorary captain for the offensive unit. Cox’s amazing season was highlighted by a record setting performance in the D2 state championship game rushing for 486 yards (a D2 state playoff record). Joining Cox on the first team offense was teammate Rhett McFadden on the offensive line. Zeb Wilde of Sandhills/Thedford was a first team defensive selection on the defensive line. South Loup placed three players on the D2 all state first team. The Bobcats went through the regular season undefeated including a win over state champ Sandhills/Thedford but fell to the Knights in the state semifinals. Rio Remund was a first team defense selection and was chosen as honorary captain on the defensive unit for his dominant play on the defensive line this season. Trey Connell of South Loup was a first team defense selection at defensive back and Joey Sallach was a first team offense selection on the offensive line.
SEM claimed the Class D6 (Six Man) football championship this season and had three players named to the all state first team. Ryan Arbuthnot was a first team offense selection at center and Maddox Jones was a first team offense selection at running back. Cohen Rohde was a first team defense selection and was chosen as the honorary captain for the defensive unit.
Cal Wells of Broken Bow was a Class C1 first team all state defensive selection. Wells was a wrecking ball for Broken Bow on the defensive line this season helping lead the Indians to their third straight state playoff appearance including a state playoff win against Douglas County West and its first quarterfinal appearance since 2009.
Players receiving all state honorable mention from the publication are listed below.
Class C1
Broken Bow – Eli Coble, Brice Chaplin
Cozad – Tyree Smith, Lane Wright, Dreu White, Noah Shoemaker
Gothenburg – Kooper Koehn, Caleb Thomalla, Trey Stevens, Jackson Daum
Class D1
Sandhills Valley – Leyton Connell, Cayson Johnston
Class D2
Anselmo-Merna – Tyce Porter, Quinten Myers, Jadon Wells
Mullen – Chase Gracey, Justin French, Tate Kvanvig, Alex Werner
Sandhills/Thedford – Brady Dahlberg, Caden Zutavern, Coby Higgins, Maurice Robinson
South Loup – Cache Gracey, AJ Starr, Ethan Furne, Connor Paulsen
Twin Loup – Quincy Ryker
