In-State Tour: Omaha North

Head Coach: Larry Martin

2015 Record: 6-6, lost to eventual Class A runner-up Millard West in the semifinals.

Season Rewind: “I think the biggest thing about last year that we learned is the whole idea of sticking together through tough times. Obviously, off of the previous three years of success that we had with winning two championships in a row there’s a high level of expectations on the kids. We knew that graduating a class like that, that had played that much on Friday nights, it was going to be a learning curve for the younger group of kids.

“I know from a record standpoint early on in the season, obviously the kids were frustrated some. I was proud of the coaches, the way that they installed the work ethic every week for the kids and the game planning and putting that together. As our schedule thinned out and we got into the playoffs we were rewarded for that. At the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.

“To get to the semifinals four years in a row is a very difficult challenge to do in this league that I’ve always said that I have a great amount of respect for."

Martin's take on Strong: "Jordan has changed his body a lot. His ability on game nights to have to make more plays last year became significantly greater. He wasn't just a role player. He was a guy that we were looking to make plays on a consistent basis.

"He's a very good player, a very physical running back. A lot of people are starting to recruit these 215-220-pound power running backs, especially in the Big Ten. Iowa has been in, Coach Riley knows about him down at Nebraska and all of these other I-AA schools that recruit around here."

Strong's take: “I like being able to put the team on my back and carry them. I’m making sure I’m in shape, making sure the team knows what we need to do so we can start off where we ended with the second playoff game. Schools say they like my size at running back, but I’m not really worried about (recruiting)."

Recruiting: Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota State

Stat check: 217 carries for 1,538 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense. Strong added 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery that was returned 69-yards for a touchdown.

Martin's take on Wells-Ross: "Davon is kind of a tweener kid that we've talked multiple times if we want to put his hand down, rush the quarterback, play the run, be an outside linebacker. For what we do defensively he's a very good fit at the strong side outside linebacker. He's long, lengthy, he's naturally going to come up on the run. They're going to throw some balls and he can cover it with his wing-span. He's very intriguing."

Wells-Ross' take: “I think I started off (last season) fast, but I had a lot to learn. My coach, Damon Benning, taught me a lot. Like how to fill my fits and what I need to do to become a better player. I need to read my keys a little bit more, study the film, understand how the play is going to develop and where I hit my fits and make the tackles. I can definitely put on weight and I need to get more confidence and understand that I’m long and I’m fast.

“My goal before I get to college is to get to 200-pounds and from college we’ll go from there and see where the coaching staff needs me or where they want me to be at. Defensive end is where I used to play in little league so that’s somewhere I’m comfortable at.”

Recruiting: Iowa State, Nebraska, South Dakota State

Stat check: 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, .5 sack, five pass breakups, two interceptions and one returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

QB/ATH Justin Jackson-Williams (2017)

TE Daenen Jones (2017)

WR Michael Knowles (2017)

OL/DL Kendrik Parker (2017)

OL Kevin Williams (2017)