The pecking order for each class becomes more defined by the week as we inch toward the end of the regular season. That doesn't mean there aren't still some defining games out there as the weather (eventually?) starts to turn cooler.
Here's a look at Week 6.
The can't-miss games
Class A: No. 4 Papillion-La Vista (5-0) at No. 1 Millard South (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m. — Papio is the best team remaining on Millard South's schedule as the Patriots begin to ramp up for the postseason. Can the Monarchs become the first Nebraska team to hold Millard South to fewer than 52 points? If so, they'll be one of only a small handful of teams able to accomplish that feat.
±Ê°ù±ð»å¾±³¦³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýMillard South 48, Papillion-LaVista 22
Class B: No. 9 Hastings (3-2) at No. 10 McCook (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. — The beginning of a challenging run against the state's westernmost Class B programs for Hastings. The Tigers will host No. 5 Scottsbluff next week and 4-1 Gering to end the season, along with a game against Lexington. McCook has been solid in its return to Class B, with a running game led by junior Tristan Campbell. Campbell is averaging 166 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry.
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Prediction: Hastings 29, McCook 21
Class C-1: No. 2 Ashland-Greenwood (4-1) at No. 9 Boys Town (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m. — Boys Town should probably be ranked higher, with FBS prospect Darien Whitaker Jr. (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) leading the way. Whitaker scored five touchdowns in four ways last week (rushing, receiving, interception return, kickoff return) and leads a defense that has picked off 10 passes and piled up 11.5 sacks. Ashland-Greenwood's passing attack will need to be sharp in what should be a really high-level game.
Prediction: Ashland-Greenwood 23, Boys Town 20
Class C-2: No. 5 Malcolm (4-1) at No. 2 Bishop Neumann (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. — The toughest test since opening night for Bishop Neumann, which lost to top-ranked Norfolk Catholic by a touchdown to open the season and has spent the last month beating up anything in its path (point spread the last four games: 227-13). Husker commit Conor Booth has lived up to expectations, with nearly 1,200 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in five games on 12.7 yards per carry. Can Malcolm's offense play enough keep-away to get it to the fourth quarter?
Prediction: Bishop Neumann 31, Malcolm 20
Eight-man: Weeping Water (5-0) at Lourdes Central Catholic (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. — Weeping Water is the lone unranked, unbeaten team in Class D-2, largely because the Indians' five opponents are thus far a combined 5-21. That changes this week against Lourdes, which has won three straight since a 46-42 upset loss to Elmwood-Murdock in Week 2. Get past this one, and there's a good chance Weeping Water can run the table in the regular season. Lourdes scored 84 points its last time out.
Prediction: Weeping Water 48, Lourdes Central Catholic 44
Six-man: No. 10 Wallace (3-1) at No. 8 Paxton (3-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. — Both teams have won three straight since opening-night losses to top-5 opponents, Wallace to No. 2 Arthur County, and Paxton to No. 5 Hay Springs. Wallace, led by Ashtin Johns' 549 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, has averaged 63 points in its three wins.
Prediction: Paxton 40, Wallace 37
Other city games
Lincoln Southwest (1-4) vs. Lincoln Northeast (3-2), Thursday, 7 p.m., Seacrest — The Silver Hawks took out their offensive frustration on South Sioux City last week, their 41 points scored being 10 more than they scored in their first four games combined. The Rockets have been slowed after a fun start to the season, but they'll surely be up for this city clash.
Conestoga (0-5) at Lincoln Lutheran (1-4), Thursday, 7 p.m., Aldrich — Lutheran showed some potential in hanging within reach of C-2 No. 6 Raymond Central, and it'll have a prime chance at earning its second win against the struggling Cougars. Lutheran's Koston Maul is up to four touchdowns this season.
Lincoln Southeast (3-2) vs. Lincoln High (2-3), Friday, 4:30 p.m., Seacrest — Southeast's response after a disappointing 44-point loss to No. 1 Millard South will tell a lot about the Knights' outlook the rest of the way. The Links have almost exclusively played in blowout games this season — their games have been settled by an average of 37.2 points so far.
Class A No. 9 Millard North (3-2) at Lincoln East (3-2), Friday, 8 p.m., Seacrest — East has another chance to earn a marquee win after falling short at No. 5 Kearney last week. Four of Spartan QB Ryan Manning's seven touchdowns this season have gone to Landen Lingenfelter.
Lincoln North Star (3-2) at Omaha Northwest (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m. — The Gators are riding high after handling business last week in a game critical to its playoff chances. Now, the trick is to not overlook struggling opponents, considering North Star's next two games are against teams with a combined 1-9 record.
Class B No. 8 York (4-1) at Lincoln Northwest (0-5), Friday, 7 p.m., UBT Stadium — Northwest is still taking its lumps as a second-year program, dropping its first five games by an average of 46 points. The second half of the season will be valuable for the young Falcons, as they attempt to gather some positive momentum. The Dukes have been sturdy through five games, led by quarterback Troy Schmid, who is getting it done both through the air and on the ground.
Class B No. 3 Omaha Skutt (5-0) at Lincoln Pius X (2-3), Friday, 7 p.m., Aldrich — The road doesn't get any easier for a beat-up Pius X team, which has been riddled with injuries as it navigates through a tough stretch. Meanwhile, the SkyHawks will look to continue fine-tuning their details ahead of back-to-back games against No. 2 Elkhorn North and No. 1 Bennington.Â
Lincoln Standing Bear (0-5) at Class B No. 6 Norris (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m. — The Grizzlies return to the gridiron after forfeiting their game against Waverly last week due to a large group of the team dealing with "upper respiratory" illnesses. Standing Bear hopes to find paydirt for the first time since Week 1. Norris has won three straight games after starting 0-2.Â
Lincoln Christian (4-1) at C-1 No. 7 Central City (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m. — The Crusaders have hummed along well this season, the lone speed bump being a hard-fought loss to No. 8 Auburn. Christian's Dominick Roth has four interceptions this season, and he figures to get more chances this week against Central City's Parker Zikmund, who has thrown for 1,111 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Parkview Christian (1-3) at Meridian (1-3), Friday, 3 p.m. — A good opportunity for both teams to get things rolling in the right direction. The Patriots' defense has struggled so far, allowing at least 48 points in each of their first four games.