An apology and an explanation:  Sorry to be late with our pre-season rankings, but here they are ... at last.  Since these were to have been published last week before the season began, we're going to roll the clock back and rank teams on the basis that no games have yet been played.  (Work with me here.)  Season previews of each team can be found by clicking the "Teams" link and then selecting a team from the displayed list. 

 

CLASS A
This Week	Last Week	Team	Comments
1	-	Westside	We're giving Westside the nod over Millard West on the basis of the experience the Warriors put on the field right out of the gate.  Millard West may overtake them as young Wildcats develop, but for now seniority rules.
2	-	Millard West	Loaded with talent, and last summer's national-level success is huge for a competitive mindset.  As the new line-up settles in, these guys will be off to the races, and it may be that no one can catch them.
3	-	Millard South	A run-and-(BIG) gun offense will be fun to watch, and the Patriots have the arms to put the other team back out on defense in a hurry.
4	-	Creighton Prep	Four quality senior pitchers (again), solid defense and good hitting.  If the arms stay healthy, Prep should be very solid despite being on the road for every game.
5	-	Millard North	Big graduation losses are mitigated by a talented young group that will make its presence known in a hurry.  Pitching, hitting and defense are all solid.  Three younger brothers from the 35-0 team doesn't hurt, either.
6	-	Omaha Bryan	This is Bryan's year.  The Bears return a crop of mature, experienced players who have made steady progress since starting as freshmen and sophomores.  Deep, talented and play with a chip on their shoulders.
7	-	Papillion LaVista South	Coach Lynam will build around a solid core of returning players that includes standouts Eli Nelson and Beau Suponchick.  Pitching depth was developed last summer as the Titans made a nice post-season run.
8	-	Lincoln Southwest	Southwest has been quiet the past couple of years, but look out for the Silver Hawks in '09.  LSW will combine experience and talented young players.  Watch for young Cotton and Anderson to shine in the infield.
9	-	Lincoln Southeast	Surprised ya here, didn't we?  We're big Josh Scheffert fans, but does he have the supporting cast to help him take this team back to Haymarket?  Show me.
10	-	Bellevue East	The Chieftains have invested several years putting young players on the field to build this team.  The loss of Pierce hurts, but they're still a very good team.  Matt Tew can carry the load.
CLASS B
This Week	Last Week	Team	Comments
1	-	Elkhorn	The defending champs have solid pitching, power hitting, speed and defense.  Getting Patrick Johnson back on the mound for the post-season would be a bonus.
2	-	Omaha Skutt	Talented, athletic and solid in all areas.  Look for Corey Stringer to emerge as a leader, and the Big Croo-nit (Zach Croonquist) to shed the basketball rust and heat it up.
3	-	Omaha Roncalli	Despite the loss of D-1 Joe Bircher, the Crimson Pride have a solid core of returning players and a top arm in Alex Terry.
4	-	Omaha Gross	Gross must rebuild following the loss of a talented '08 class, but quality young players will develop quickly under Coach Flip.  Ryan Crnkovich and Eric Brooner give the Cougars two experienced starters.
5	-	Ralston	The Rams return nine seniors and starters at every defensive position.  The loss of Landis and Felt will require the emergence of new leaders on the mound.
6	-	Pius	The 'Bolts have a solid senior core with Ben Raun, Alex Jones, Alex Heideman and Drew Welsh.  Look for  Heideman to emerge as one of the top players in the class.
7	-	Nebraska City	Logan Ehlers and Travis Peterson will lead the Pioneers to Haymarket, but the team will need to figure out to win when Ehlers is not on the mound.
8	-	Gretna	Alex Weideman and Stefan Katsampes provide quality senior leadership for new coach Mike Hagge.
9	-	Beatrice	A talented trio of seniors - Garrett Bruhn, Justin Coleman and James Rivers - will lead the Orangemen back above .500 this season and will give Beatrice a shot at Haymarket.
10	-	South Sioux City	The second-year program is young but junior Alex Groth had 3 of the programs' 4 wins as a sophomore last spring.  The young Cardinals will contend.