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NORFOLK — Eight of Cedar County’s top high school football players will suit up one final time this summer when they compete in the 2026 Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic.
Four Cedar Catholic Trojans, two Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats and two Wynot Blue Devils have been selected to play in the annual all-star game, which will be held Friday, June 12 at Memorial Field in Norfolk. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“They have done an outstanding job of selecting the rosters and plan on having a fun week for each team,” board president Andrew Carlson said. “We hope all of the players, families and fans of northeast Nebraska continue to have a great experience with this game, as there are so many talented players and passionate fans in northeast Nebraska.”
Chris Koozer of Norfolk High will coach the White team. His staff will include Ken Swanson and Matt Skiff of Norfolk High, Ryan Miller of Lyons-Decatur Northeast, Dalton Tremayne of West Point-Beemer and Kalin Koch of Twin River.
The Red team — which includes the eight area players — will be coached by Johnnie Ostermeyer of Crofton. His staff will include John Connot of Crofton, Jaxson Kant of Lutheran High Northeast, Andy Osborne of West Holt, Tyler Legate of Pierce and John Baue of Wausa/Osmond.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as the head coach for the Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic,” Ostermeyer said. “This game is more than just a competition; it’s a meaningful opportunity for outstanding athletes from across the region to proudly represent their schools and communities with unique talents alongside peers from all classifications.”
Trojans sending four players
Cedar Catholic will be represented by Brady Hochstein, Breiton Whitmire, Sam Wiebelhaus and Jared Rutar.
Cedar Catholic head coach Chad Cattau praised all four players selected for the game. His comments about Hochstein appear in a separate story in this edition of the Cedar County News.
Breiton Whitmire — “Breiton can excel in a variety of areas in the NEN All-Star game. He can play running back and corner, and he is also a return threat on special teams. He will definitely be a guy the coaching staff can use throughout the game in a variety of ways and situations because of his athleticism.”
Jared Rutar — “Jared will be used on either the offensive or defensive line — or maybe both. He has an uncanny ability on both sides of the ball to be a dominant player with his hands and quick feet. He can also contribute as a kicker if need be, which just adds to his value.”
Sam Wiebelhaus — “Sam is the type of player coaches really love to have in an all-star game because he can line up in a variety of positions. On offense he would be used primarily at guard, but if they don’t have a fourth-down fullback, I can see them using him there at times. He can also play a rush end position or even linebacker in the 4-3 defensive scheme they have to use.”
Two Wildcats selected
Hartington-Newcastle will have two players on the Red roster — tight ends Carter Kelly and Mason Krause.
Wildcat head coach Rusty Fuller said both players were key contributors for the HN offense.
“Both Mason and Carter were selected on the offensive side of the ball. Both were great blocking and receiving tight ends for us,” Fuller said. “Carter had his season cut short and had to overcome a broken ankle, so it is great to see him get one more chance at playing football. Mason will continue his playing experience in college at Midland University. We are super proud of both of them.”
Wynot adds two Blue Devils Wynot has two, Kotner Koch and Parker Schmidt on the Red squad.
Koch was the leading target for quarterback Devin Brummer during the Blue Devils’ run to the Class D2 state championship game last fall. He scored 24 touchdowns on the season while averaging just under 90 receiving yards per game.
Schmidt anchored the Wynot defense and finished third on the team in tackles with 74. He also recorded three sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another.
“Kotner and Parker are great players,” said Wynot head coach Steve Heimes. “I’m excited to see them play in the 11-man NEN All-Star game.”
Red Team
Players: Hayden Bauer (Pierce); Jace Jorgensen (Wayne); Gage Hedstrom (St. Mary’s); Porter Matthews (O’Neill); Callen Marshall (Norfolk Catholic); Drew Schmaderer (Stuart); Reece Heineman (Pender); Nathan Timmerman (Norfolk Catholic); Breiton Whitmire (Cedar Catholic); Lane Bybee (St. Mary’s); Jace Panning (Crofton); Marek Dvorak (West Holt); Jackson Lynde (Crofton); Mason Krause (Hartington-Newcastle); Kotner Koch (Wynot); Carter Kelly (Hartington-Newcastle); Brady Hochstein (Cedar Catholic); Bryce Lindstrom (Pierce); Taven Ocampo (Wayne); Brock Jeannoutot (Bloomfield); Grady Welke (O’Neill); Sam Wiebelhaus (Cedar Catholic); Edwin Alarcon (Norfolk Catholic); Cody Smith (Bloomfield); Noah Manchester (O’Neill); Jared Rutar (Cedar Catholic); Aiden Gallop (Lutheran High Northeast); Carter Wiese (Wayne); Christian Nordby (Pierce); Tyson Sanger (Crofton); Anthony Steffen (Crofton); Boston Krueger (Pierce); Tate Stolp (Wausa/Osmond); Aaron Medina (South Sioux City); Jagger Sims (South Sioux City); Parker Schmidt (Wynot).
