Nebraska's Top Prep Football players for 2017 - Part 9

GI Northwest junior QB, Carter Terry. The youngster passed for 2,288 yards and 23 TDs in 2016. *(photo courtesy of Kimberly Terry)

Another stellar group of players that enjoyed fruitful 2016 football campaigns. On offense, we feature a 2,000 yard throwing QB and his top two receivers, another quarterback who can fly over 400 meters and throw the rock with precision, an athletic Boys Town jewel at RB, and rock solid wide receiver from the Class A ranks.

On the defensive side of things, we talk to you about a youngster that flourished in the Class A ranks a Freshman, one of the best lineman in Class B, and a flyweight dandy that played like a man at DB in the Big Boy class.

*Quarterback:

*Carter Terry-Grand Island Northwest - 6-0, 180, Junior #3

02016 Stat Line: Passing: 177 of 334 for 2,288 yards (53%), 23 TDs/13 INTs.

Rushing: 118 yards-31 carries, 2 TDs.

*Not many sophomores in Class B throw for 2,288 yards and have the poise that Northwest’s Carter Terry displayed in 2016. Yes, there were 13 interceptions, but 5 came in the Viking’s final two games against York and McCook. Also recall that Terry passed for 342 yards and 3 scores in that regular season finale against the mighty Dukes.

Carter Terry/Christian Ellsworth comparisons are already being made around the area and will be until Terry graduates. Ellsworth threw for 1,689 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore and closed out his career with 5,230 yards through the air and 52 TDs. Big difference with Ellsworth was his accuracy rate of over 60% and his Class B state record of 6,839 yards of Total Offense.

Carter’s accuracy will improve and his picks will drop, but right now his ability to pick you apart with quick throws out of that Viking shotgun formation or scramble out of trouble and throw on the run, should make Northwest a threat right out of the gate in 2017.

This young man really developed between his freshman and sophomore seasons and if that trend continues, all the Northwest passing records should fall before the Terry calls it a career.. Also remember that this youngster came within 22 yards of breaking the state single game passing yardage record when he threw for 406 yards in the Vikings 38-17 win over Seward a year ago..

Carter Terry can sling the ball 40 yards in the air with very few glitches and what makes it even sweeter is the fact he has a pair of senior wideouts returning that are not only 500 yard receivers, but stand 6-2 and 6-5 respectively and can fly. We’ll tell you about those fellas in a bit.

With better O-Line blocking on the horizon featuring Fletcher Bydalek and Jamie Garrison, Carter could be even more productive this season, which is scary. Get Terry to run for about 400+ yards, get one of those Viking RBs to go for around 800 yards or so, shore up that Northwest defense and you’re looking at playoff contender here.

Carter Terry certainly has All-State potential.

*Quarterback:

*Michael Koch-Columbus - 6-4, 195, Senior #12

2016 Stat Line: Passing; 79 of 127 for 1,166 yards (62%), 9 TDs/6 INTs. Rushing; 100 carries for 576 yards (5.3), 3 TDs. Defense: 14 solos, 9 asst, 23 total tackles, 4 Interceptions.

*Now here’s an athlete. This guy was not even the starting QB for Craig Williams at Columbus when the season opened a year ago, but when Landon Brabec went down with an injury in the Discoverers 17-14 opening season loss to Waverly, Koch took over and never relinquished the reigns. A long, splendid looking athlete, Koch is a 400 Meter track flyer, covering that distance in :49.68 seconds, good for a runner-up medal at the State Track Meet in May. Also an honorable all-state basketball player.

Tell you what, this Michael Koch is a dual-threat quarterback for sure. There will not be too many around Class B that can catch him in the open field with those long strides and neat, subtle little cuts. I saw him rip off a 60 yard beauty of a run against a terrific Omaha Skutt team last September 29th.

On defense, Koch uses his length and 33” vertical to defend and intercept enemy passes. He picked off 4 a year ago in the 9 games he appeared in that Columbus defense. You give this guy the QB gig on an Elkhorn South or Skutt Catholic team and you have yourself a 1000 yard rushing/passing QB who is a no-brainer All-State selection. But let’s leave Michael Koch in Columbus and have him lead the Discoverers to a B-5 District title in 2017.

Sound good, Coach Williams?

*Wide Receivers:

*Riley Schliep-Grand Island Northwest - 6-5, 180, Senior (WR/FS) #

2016 Stat Line: Receiving: 34 catches for 549 yards (16.1), 5 TDs. Defense; 13 solos, 40 assists, 53 total tackles, 3 TFL,

*Brady Glause-Grand Island Northwest - 6-2, 180, Senior (WR/CB) #

2016 Stat Line: Receiving: 39 catches for 562 yards (14.4), 6 TDs.

*Here are the two targets Carter Terry eyes whenever the Vikings take the field. 1,111 yards and 19 TDs worth between this pair. Schliep is the taller target at 6-5, and has the open field stride length to go the distance, as witnessed by his state record tying 99 TD yard reception against Alliance last season. But don’t underestimate Brady Glause with with his ability to get open and escape tackles.

Riley Schliep was steady as it goes, hauling in 16 aerials through the Vikings first 6 games, but literally exploded by catching 18 of Terry’s flyers for 274 yards in the final 3 contests of 2016. Schliep also really sparkled on that Northwest defense, recording 53 tackles and was just a nightmare matchup for opposing receivers with his 6-5 frame.

Brady Glause opened and closed his 2016 football season by bookending 100 yard plus receiving performances. Gering would like to forget his 4 catch, 3 touchdown, 116 yard night in the opener a year ago and of all things, McCook would just as soon do the same, as the fleet Viking wideout gathered in 7 receptions for a huge 133 yard night in Bison country to end the regular season.

Glause, like Schliep, can get up win the battle for the football on a pass route. Both Vikings have come out on top in double-coverage battles with some pretty salty D-Backs in 2016. Terrific athletes on the gridiron.

Look for both Riley Schliep and Brady Glause to pad those receiving stats this fall for Northwest.

*Wide Receiver

*Drew Dunham-Creighton Prep - 6-2, 190, Senior #40

2016 Stat Line: Receiving: 24 catches for 447 yards (18.6), 8 TDs.

*Sure handed receiver that really compliments tight end Grant Matthies well in that Junior Jay offense. Really difficult to cover and just plain money after he catches the ball, as witnessed by his Catch to touchdown ratio. I mean really, every third reception Dunham hauled in last season went for 6 points.

Very good downfield blocker and just tough as nails outside linebacker with way above average speed. You DO NOT want to leave Drew Dunham unblocked and with his added muscle at 190 pounds, and he’ll be more effective yet at rushing the quarterback.

On offense, Drew just simply runs crisp, correct pass routes and is a nightmare for defenders after he catches the ball. Seems more like a 220 pound tight end bowling over people and fighting for those extra yards.

Tim Johnk is gonna like Drew Dunham.

*Running Back:

*Deshawn Bates-Boys Town - 6-1, 190 Senior #3

2016 Stat Line: Rushing: 687-63 carries (10.9), 10 TDs. Receiving; 30 catches for 332 yards (11.1), 5 TDs. Defense: 11 solos, 1 assist, 12 Total tackles.

*Oh lord. Picture this in your mind, defensive coordinators. Deshawn Bates and Tijaih Davis returning for Boys Town in 2017. Last season Bates did not even get cranking at running back till the final three games of the season and still rushed for 687 yards…….and he missed regular 3 games to boot. Most of the time last season, the :11.2 hundred man lined up as a receiver in the slot for the Cowboys last year.

Deshawn missed an early season 46-7 win over Louisville, but was absent for the final two regular season freys, an 18-6 loss to Arlington and 41-31 thrilling win over DC West. He came back just in time to rush for 164 yards and 4 TDs in Boys Towns wild 54-34 opening round playoff win over Fairbury.

Bates is just a bad matchup no matter where he lines up on the football field. Typical Boys Town athleticism that is a cut above most average to good C-1 athletes. There is not a Class C-1 coach in the state, including Tim Turman, Jeff Bellar, Brock Eichelberger or Steven Gubbels that doesn’t sweat blood when they play these guys. Ditto for basketball.

Expect Bates and his stats to explode in 2017 and also expect this dude to be in the All-State picture, as the Cowboys will once again be C-1 title contenders

*Defensive End:

*Kohl Herbolsheimer-Millard South - 6-4 230, Sophomore #92

2016 Stat Line: Defense: 19 solos, 22 assists, 41 total tackles, 5 TFL, 1 FR.

*Check out this kid’s age. Dude started as FRESHMAN in Class A. Not that many years ago, not even sophomores hit the field in the big boy class. Back in my day, legendary Grand Island coach Kenny Fisher wouldn’t have dreamed of playing a sophomore, let alone starting one. Enter one Kohl Herbolsheimer.

Sounds like a Hartington name, huh? Nevertheless, the hulking 6-4, 230 pound number 92 has All-Nebraska written all over him. The Millard South youngster was so good in 2016, he was selected to play in the Army All-American Freshman Bowl, held earlier this year.

This lad plays like a well seasoned veteran at his defensive end position for the Patriots. He lines up cock-eyed, facing the quarterback at an angle, like so many of the good ones do. And shed blockers, wow. 19 solo tackles, 5 of those for losses and 41 total crunches are awful impressive for a kid that probably couldn’t legally drive yet in 2016. He did, however, have a license to devour ball carriers…...and did so.

Seriously, you have to see this kid play. Already runs a 5.1 forty and has lots of room to get that bench lift up from 245 pounds. At 6-4 and 230, my bet is that he has NO body fat. Amazing.

You’ll be reading about Kohl this season and many seasons to follow on Saturday afternoons. Let’s hope the Huskers are watching.

*Defensive Lineman

*Kaleb Taylor-McCook - 6-4, 230, Senior #62/43

2016 Stat Line: Defense: 25 solos, 25 assists, 50 total tackles, 5 TFL.

*Care to watch Mr. Taylor fight his way through a double-team block to make a tackle? Happened way more than once a year ago. No doubt in my mind Kaleb Taylor is one of the Top 10 Class B football players in Nebraska. Ask McCook head coach Jeff Gross, he’ll tell you.

How do you ever know where Taylor is going to end up in that Bison defensive line once the play begins (See Elkhorn South)? The kid may line up at nose guard, then once the QB gets under center, he may do the craziest sideways crab crawl you ever saw. I mean, this is a 6-4, 230 pound lineman crawling sideways faster than some guys his size can run. The offensive line is already set. HUH?

Kaleb Taylor has every move in the book to get himself free to make a tackle too. Spin away, simply knock away a blocker with an arm, get up off the ground and run you down. Very frustrating to opposing lineman.

This lad plays with great leverage,which could be seen last season when Taylor recorded 10 tackles behind the line, made 4 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles. Also was 2nd at the State Wrestling Tournament earlier this year in the Class B 220 weight class.

Kaleb Taylor is the Real Deal, folks……...and so is McCook.

*Defensive Back:

*Elisha Burts-Creighton Prep - 5-10, 185, Junior #11

2016 Stat Line: N/A

*Couple of things about this kid. A year ago Elisha Burts was a 5-6, 156 pound sophomore for Creighton Prep and not only earned a starting spot, but landed a 2nd Team spot on the prestigious All-Metro Conference honor squad. You make All-Metro in Omaha, and your are top notch football player, period.

How do do play in Class A, let alone Omaha Metro ball at 5-6, and a buck 56? Heart, guts, absolute football smarts and a fear of nothing. There were many times in 2016 had it not been for Burts, Prep would have given up a long touchdown run to teams like Millard North or Omaha North. The kid just never seems to overrun a play or miss a tackle. Again, he was 5-6 and 156 pounds.

Nine months later, Elisha has grown 4 inches, put on nearly 20 pounds and is not only prepared to have another excellent season at DB, but the junior is slated to be Creighton Prep’s featured running back in 2017.

Last year, Elisha hit the end zone twice for the Junior Jays, once on a 40 yard Pick 6 against Lincoln NE, the other coming on a 65 yard punt return during the same contest. All I can tell you is Mr. Burts is ready to start making the headlines in 2017 for new coach Tim Johnk’s Creighton Prep forces.