• Click to see the full teams below: First Team, Second Team
• Photo Showcase: All-Nebraska player cards

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They will be rivals in the Big Ten Conference, but Sam Cotton and Drew Ott ended their high school careers on the same team — the 91st World-Herald All-Nebraska football team, on which they are the honorary captains.

Cotton, who was a two-way starter as Lincoln Southeast won the Class A championship, is the only in-state player known to be a Nebraska commitment.

Ott is heading to Iowa after thriving in eight-man ball at tiny Giltner. Southeast had more players on its playoff roster than Giltner has students.

That shouldn't hinder the potential of the state's Gatorade player of the year, Giltner coach Jeff Ashby said.

"He's going to be a major player at the next level," Ashby said. "He's not even close to his potential right now.

"That will come when all he has to do is work out for football and not play three sports, where they teach a lot more technique than at our level. The sky's the limit and I wouldn't be surprised to see him play on Sundays someday."

Cotton has the tools he needs, Southeast coach Ryan Gottula said, to thrive as a tight end at NU. Sam will join brothers Ben (tight end) and Jake (offensive line) as Huskers.

"He has the size needed to play that position. He'll physically be able to hold his own, and he's a tremendous blocker on the edge,'' Gottula said. "He has great hands. And he's smart. That will help him as well."

Cotton and Ott head a 24-man All-Nebraska first team that currently has four Division I recruits. Lincoln Southwest quarterback Tay Bender is committed to Kansas State and Blair linebacker Jake Schany to Ohio University.

Norfolk Catholic place-kicker Drew Farlee is the only repeat first-team selection.

Crafting this year's All-Nebraska team required creativity. As passing games continue to proliferate, more top athletes are on the field as receivers or quarterbacks and fewer running backs are putting up big numbers.

To accommodate those regarded as the best playmakers of the season, the first-team offense includes a quarterback (Ryker Fyfe of Grand Island), two "Wildcat" style backs who were quarterbacks on their high school teams (Isaac Aakre of Millard North and Bender), two running backs (Devin Washington of Southeast and Jordan Nelson of Omaha Burke) and only one wide receiver (Zach Oliver of Burke).

Because they also made big plays on defense, top-level receivers Darian Barrientos-Jackson of Omaha Central, Terry Grigsby of Omaha North and Sam Foltz of Grand Island landed spots in the first-team secondary.

Also selected on offense are linemen James Anderson of Burke, Landon Arnold of Millard North, Robbie Lafour of Southeast, Mike Shoff of Cambridge and Jordan Brichacek of Howells.

The first-unit defense consists of linemen Andrew Coppa of Burke, Trey Foster of Southeast and Cotton; linebackers Andy Janovich of Gretna, Schany and Ott; defensive backs Bo Liekhus of Bellevue West, Mike Minter Jr. of Lincoln North Star, Barrientos-Jackson, Grigsby and Foltz; and punter Jeremy Callahan of Lexington.

Southeast and state runner-up Burke tied for the most selections with four. Millard North and Grand Island each had two. There are nine first-teamers from the Metro Conference, eight from the rest of Class A and seven from outside Class A.

All-Nebraska and all-state selections are based on observations by The World-Herald staff and nominations by high school coaches. All coaches were emailed nomination forms.

Cotton and Ott were at their best in the playoffs, but for different reasons.

Cotton was a returning starter at defensive end, but had backed up all-stater David Sutton (also at NU) at tight end as a junior. So each game added to his experience at his college position.

"He got in when we went to double tight-end sets and I think he learned a lot playing behind David," Gottula said. "He improved tremendously in ball skills. He puts in the work to make himself better."

The postseason brought better opponents for Giltner, which meant that Ashby didn't have to pull his starters as early as the second quarter of blowouts.

"It was bittersweet. The games were so out of whack that Drew didn't get to play a lot," Ashby said. "In the playoffs, he was back to averaging over 20 tackles a game.

"He just played superb in the playoffs. He was his normal self, catching balls, making tackles, using all his athleticism."

Contact the writer:

402-444-1041, stu.pospisil@owh.com

twitter.com/stuOWH

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ALL-NEBRASKA FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
RECEIVER
Zach Oliver, Omaha Burke, 6-3, 190, Sr.
One of the most feared receivers in Class A, he caught 52 passes for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. He also came up with a game-saving fumble against Papillion-La Vista during the regular season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
James Anderson, Omaha Burke, 6-4, 305, Sr.
A three-year starter for the state runner-up Bulldogs. “He was our best offensive lineman,” coach Paul Limongi said. His senior season ended with a knee injury.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Landon Arnold, Millard North, 6-0, 260, Sr.
A three-year starter on the Mustangs' offensive line at guard, he often opened holes for fellow All-Nebraska pick Isaac Aakre. Also played on the defensive line.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Robbie Lafour, Lincoln Southeast, 5-10, 270, Sr.
He was a leader of a Southeast O-line that hit its peak in the playoffs and helped the Knights win the Class A title for the first time since 2002. He started for three years.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Mike Shoff, Cambridge, 6-6, 280, Sr.
Considered an FBS-caliber prospect, the state-champion heavyweight wrestler helped the Trojans rush for 264 yards a game. He made 11 solo and 49 assisted tackles as a defensive tackle.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jordan Brichacek, Howells, 6-5, 245, Sr.
“He's the best O-lineman, have ever coached,” nine-time eight-man champion coach Mike Speirs said. Brichacek, who also had 60 tackles and eight sacks, is weighing an offer from North Dakota State.
QUARTERBACK
Ryker Fyfe, Grand Island, 6-4, 195, Sr.
A quick release pushed the multi-sport athlete to the front of the pack for passers. While he threw for 1,921 yards and 20 touchdowns, he also ran for 746 yards and 14 touchdowns — and caught a TD pass, too.
RUNNING BACK
Isaac Aakre, Millard North, 5-11, 180, Jr.
Already on the radar of option-based college offenses, the second-year quarterback led Class A rushers with 182.9 yards per game and 24 touchdowns. Threw for 426 yards and five touchdowns.
RUNNING BACK
Devin Washington, Lincoln Southeast, 5-8, 170, Jr.
Had back-to-back 200-yard games in the state semifinals and championship game to finish with a school-record 1,907 yards and 22 touchdowns on 299 attempts.
RUNNING BACK
Jordan Nelson, Omaha Burke, 5-10, 185, Sr.
In his only healthy season, he hurt defenses with his runs and his catches. He accounted for 21 touchdowns, set the school record with 1,791 yards rushing and made 700 yards on 24 receptions.
RUNNING BACK
Tay Bender, Lincoln Southwest, 6-4, 210, Sr.
Coaches nominated the Kansas State recruit at quarterback, running back and kicker. He accounted for 20 touchdowns and 1,724 yards in getting Southwest to the quarterfinals.
KICKER
Drew Farlee, Norfolk Catholic, 6-1, 175, Sr.
Not even a midseason knee injury, on his kicking leg, kept the two-time All-Nebraska kicker off the field. His career totals, after 10 field goals this season, were 150 of 154 extra points and 29 of 44 field goals.

DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Sam Cotton, Lincoln Southeast, 6-4, 235, Sr.
Nebraska's only in-state recruit to date became a force at his college position, tight end, as well as defensive end. Had 7.5 sacks and 42 tackles and scored on seven of his 23 receptions.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Andrew Coppa, Omaha Burke, 6-0, 225, Sr.
A two-way starter for the Bulldogs, Coppa came up with eight sacks and 15 tackles for losses and 57 tackles overall. Also played on the offensive line.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Trey Foster, Lincoln Southeast, 6-4, 225, Sr.
Joining Cotton as the bookend ends on Southeast's defense, which allowed only 34 points in four playoff games, he recorded 59 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
LINEBACKER
Drew Ott, Giltner, 6-4, 245, Sr.
Blowout games during the regular season limited the Iowa recruit's time on the field, but he got back to his usual 20-tackle games in the playoffs. Also scored on 18 of his 52 catches that produced 960 yards.
LINEBACKER
Andy Janovich, Gretna, 6-2, 210, Sr.
At both linebacker and running back, he usually outmatched his opponent. The state-champion wrestler rushed for more than 800 yards and again led the Dragons in tackles.
LINEBACKER
Jake Schany, Blair, 6-2, 210, Sr.
Blair's career tackles leader agreed in midseason to a Ohio University scholarship. He averaged 130 yards a game rushing and scored 19 touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Terry Grigsby, Omaha North, 6-2, 185, Sr.
Excellent as a cover man, he took on many of the Metro's best receivers. As a receiver himself, he had 48 catches for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns in a nine-game season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Sam Foltz, Grand Island, 6-2, 185, Sr.
Seldom left the field for the Islanders as he also played receiver and was one of the state's top punters, his position last year on the Class A all-state team. Led Grand Island in tackles and caught 10 TD passes.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Bo Liekhus, Bellevue West, 6-0, 195, Sr.
In the mold of former West defensive standout Jeff Souder, Liekhus had 86 solo tackles and 19 assists to rank No. 2 on Class A's tackles chart.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Mike Minter Jr., Lincoln North Star, 6-1, 170, Jr.
In his first season after living in the Charlotte, N.C., area, the son of former Husker Mike Minter had four INTs in nine games while picking up 1,176 yards at running back, and he scored 18 touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Darian Barrientos-Jackson, Omaha Central, 6-2, 185, Sr.
“Our best all-around player,” Eagles coach Jay Ball said of the two-sport standout who had four interceptions, scored on 11 of his 39 catches and also was a force on special teams.
PUNTER
Jeremy Callahan, Lexington, 6-3, 180, Sr.
Minuteman coach Phil Truax said some of Callahan's punts were dazzling. The team's quarterback, who accounted for almost 200 yards a game, averaged 45.5 yards on 32 punts with a long of 71 yards.

ALL-NEBRASKA SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE
WR, Fernando Hildreth, Boys Town, 5-11, 165, Sr.
WR, Will Bamesberger, Grand Island, 6-1, 155, Sr.
OL, Tom Swanson, Grand Island, 6-2, 220, Sr.
OL, Dylan Utter, Papillion-La Vista, 6-3, 305, Sr.
OL, Garret Johns, Aurora, 6-3, 270, Sr.
OL, Chase Sherman, Crete, 6-1, 270, Sr.
OL, Matt Kraft, Millard South, 5-10, 210, Jr.
QB, Derek McGinnis, Crete, 6-3, 205, Sr.
RB, Graham Nabity, Elkhorn, 6-0, 200, Sr.
RB, Jackie Davis, Omaha Central, 5-8, 175, Jr.
RB, Carson Collins, Omaha Burke, 5-10, 220, Sr.
K, Danny Hamilton, Omaha Westside, 5-10, 175, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL, Ross Dzuris, Plattsmouth, 6-4, 235, Sr.
DL, Jared Blum, Gretna, 6-4, 235, Sr.
DL, Matt Miller, Omaha Skutt, 6-5, 230, Sr.
LB, DJ Avant, Omaha North, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB, Nick Deluca, Millard North, 6-2, 220, Jr.
LB, Jeremy Queen, Omaha Burke, 5-7, 190, Sr.
LB, Michael Schwartz, Norfolk, 6-3, 245, Sr.
LB, Josh Banderas, Lincoln Southwest, 6-2, 210, Jr.
DB, Dennis Barfield, Omaha Central, 5-11, 170, Sr.
DB, Jake Fowler, Adams Central, 5-10, 180, Sr.
DB, Matt Chitwood, McCook, 6-3, 180, Sr.
P, Jordan Bellar, Norfolk Catholic, 6-0, 160, Jr.