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Nebraska high school football has produced some stars over the years.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.
So, who among the best of the best has defined the Friday Night Lights in Nebraska?
More: Who is Minnesota's all-time best girls high school basketball player?
These are USA TODAY's selections for players who defined high school football in Nebraska. The 10 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standout players at the high school level before they eventually went on to play at both the college and professional ranks.
Did we miss someone? There's a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn't included on our list of 10.
Before he became the first modern American pro football's first Black starting quarterback, Briscoe played high school football in Omaha. There he was the starting running back for a state championship team. Briscoe also played basketball.
Crouch ran for 1,277 yards with 15 rushing touchdowns as a senior for Millard North, while also adding 543 passing yards and five touchdowns. He was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year for the state of Nebraska. He accumulated 5,134 yards of total offense during his high school career.
Green began his career at Omaha North before transferring to Omaha Central. He earned All-American selection honors and was the state "Player of the Year" as a senior. He also won the 100 and 200 meters at the 1995 state track meet.
In 1939, Kinnick became the first Nebraska high school player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He starred in not only football, but also track-and-field and basketball. In football, he earned all-state honors. The University of Iowa's football stadium is named in his honor. In 1943, his fighter plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea, killing him at 24 years old.
Murtagh was not only an All-American star linebacker and fullback for Omaha North, but also won a state championship in wrestling with an undefeated season at 180 pounds, and was also an outfielder on the baseball team.
The 1972 Heisman Trophy winner was the High school athlete of the year in 1969 with Omaha Tech. Nicknamed the "Jet" for his speed, he did it all for Omaha Tech, serving as a receiver, running back, and returner, while also playing defense.
Sayers earned all-state honors twice in football with Omaha Central, including in 1960, when he led the program to an unbeaten record and a claimed state championship. His 24 feet 10 inches in the long jump in 1961 stood as the state record for nearly four decades.
Before becoming a decorated offensive lineman with Nebraska in college, Steinkuhler was one of the top players on either side of the ball on the line in high school with Lincoln Southwest. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in Nebraska for the 2008 class.
One of three five-star players to sign with Nebraska, Septak is the highest in-state player to sign with the Cornhuskers. He was named the Gatorade state player of the year following his senior season. In his junior season, he set the Class A record with 16 touchdown catches.
He completed 193-of-266 passes (72.5%) for 3,484 yards and 58 touchdowns as a senior. He accounted for 130-plus touchdown passes over four years on varsity at Millard South. Thomalla finishes his career as the state's all-time leading passer, winning back-to-back state titles in the process.
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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.
So, who among the best of the best has defined the Friday Night Lights in Nebraska?
More: Who is Minnesota's all-time best girls high school basketball player?
These are USA TODAY's selections for players who defined high school football in Nebraska. The 10 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standout players at the high school level before they eventually went on to play at both the college and professional ranks.
Did we miss someone? There's a spot for you to write in your own candidate who wasn't included on our list of 10.
Marlin Briscoe, QB, Omaha South
Before he became the first modern American pro football's first Black starting quarterback, Briscoe played high school football in Omaha. There he was the starting running back for a state championship team. Briscoe also played basketball.
Eric Crouch, QB, Millard North
Crouch ran for 1,277 yards with 15 rushing touchdowns as a senior for Millard North, while also adding 543 passing yards and five touchdowns. He was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year for the state of Nebraska. He accumulated 5,134 yards of total offense during his high school career.
Ahman Green, RB, Omaha Central
Green began his career at Omaha North before transferring to Omaha Central. He earned All-American selection honors and was the state "Player of the Year" as a senior. He also won the 100 and 200 meters at the 1995 state track meet.
Nile Kinnick, HB, Omaha Benson
In 1939, Kinnick became the first Nebraska high school player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He starred in not only football, but also track-and-field and basketball. In football, he earned all-state honors. The University of Iowa's football stadium is named in his honor. In 1943, his fighter plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea, killing him at 24 years old.
Jerry Murtaugh, LB, Omaha North
Murtagh was not only an All-American star linebacker and fullback for Omaha North, but also won a state championship in wrestling with an undefeated season at 180 pounds, and was also an outfielder on the baseball team.
Johnny Rodgers, WR, Omaha Tech
The 1972 Heisman Trophy winner was the High school athlete of the year in 1969 with Omaha Tech. Nicknamed the "Jet" for his speed, he did it all for Omaha Tech, serving as a receiver, running back, and returner, while also playing defense.
Gale Sayers, QB, Omaha Central
Sayers earned all-state honors twice in football with Omaha Central, including in 1960, when he led the program to an unbeaten record and a claimed state championship. His 24 feet 10 inches in the long jump in 1961 stood as the state record for nearly four decades.
Baker Steinkuhler, OL, Lincoln Southwest
Before becoming a decorated offensive lineman with Nebraska in college, Steinkuhler was one of the top players on either side of the ball on the line in high school with Lincoln Southwest. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in Nebraska for the 2008 class.
Chris Septak, TE, Millard West
One of three five-star players to sign with Nebraska, Septak is the highest in-state player to sign with the Cornhuskers. He was named the Gatorade state player of the year following his senior season. In his junior season, he set the Class A record with 16 touchdown catches.
Jett Thomalla, QB, Millard South
He completed 193-of-266 passes (72.5%) for 3,484 yards and 58 touchdowns as a senior. He accounted for 130-plus touchdown passes over four years on varsity at Millard South. Thomalla finishes his career as the state's all-time leading passer, winning back-to-back state titles in the process.
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