Video: Cody Stratman's highlight vs. Hartington
See the Wynot High star in action during a 2013 contest.Don't expect a slow start from Wynot senior running back Cody Stratman this fall.
A year ago, Stratman ran the ball for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 30 touchdowns on the ground despite gaining just 93 yards on 22 carries, collectively, in losses to Randolph (64-14) and Humphrey St. Francis (60-6) as the Blue Devils fell to 0-2.
However, the 5-foot-8, 150-pounder put up some pinball-like numbers during the final six weeks of the regular season and in a 49-26 first-round playoff loss to Chambers/Wheeler Central to flash some fantasy football muscle heading into his final prep season.
Following an 18-carry, 245-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 48-14 win over Wausa, Stratman torched Winside for 310 yards and six scores on 24 carries in a 40-20 triumph. Then, Stratman gained 186 yards on the ground in a win over Emerson-Hubbard before finishing the season with four straight 200-yard outings.
Consistency is key to success on the fantasy football circuit, and Stratman definitely put up the 'WOW' factor under the lights on Friday evenings last fall, making him the favorite to finish atop any make-believe leaderboard on the Nebraska prep fantasy football circuit this fall.
Last week we combed through the MaxPreps' stat leaderboards from a year ago, and discovered that Gabe Haney of Hyannis, CWC's Brenden Pelster, Troy Gilligan of Anselmo-Merna and Garden County's Matt McCarthy were busy dazzling their fan bases with larger-than-life numbers as well last fall.
Each of the members of the top five will play either 6-man or 8-man football this fall, beginning in late August. Raymond Central's Jake Palensky and Jadyn Kowalsky of Bellevue West are the only members of the Top 10 that play 11-man football.
Top 10 Nebraska fantasy football wonders for 2015
Video: Troy Gilligan's highlights vs. Paxton
See the Anselmo-Merna player's best plays from a 2014 game.1. Cody Stratman, Wynot, 5-8, 150, senior, RB/FSStratman completed eight of 12 passes for 48 yards and a score, carried the ball 190 times for 1,984 yards and 30 touchdowns, plus caught 20 passes for 257 yards and five more scores.
2. Gabe Haney, Hyannis, 5-10, 175, senior, RB/DBHaney completed six of 11 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns, carried the ball 140 times for 1,583 yards and 29 scores, and caught 12 strikes for 124 yards and another touchdown.
3. Brenden Pelster, Chambers/Wheeler Central (Chambers), 5-10, 170, senior, QB/LBPelster connected on 45 of 81 throws for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns, ran the ball 203 times for 1,312 yards and 27 touchdowns, and caught one pass for 20 yards.
4. Troy Gilligan, Anselmo-Merna (Merna), 5-10, 135, senior, QB/DBGilligan completed 68 of 143 passes for 1,416 yards and 22 touchdowns, gained 1,504 yards on 253 carries and scored 29 times, and even caught one pass for 19 yards.
5. Matt McCarthy, Garden County (Oshkosh), 5-8, 140, senior, RB/LBMcCarthy ran the ball 160 times for 1,205 yards and scored 26 times, and caught the ball 19 times for 481 yards and nine scores.
6. Preston Schnitzler, Kenesaw, 5-8, 183, senior, RB/CBSchnitzler completed 16 of 27 passes for 280 yards and six touchdowns, and he ran the ball 211 times for 1,810 yards and scored 30 touchdowns.
7. Luke Ericson, Osceola, 6-3, 215, senior, QB/OLBEricson connected on 26 of 53 aerials for 491 yards and seven touchdowns, and carried the ball 195 times for 1,102 yards and 19 scores.
8. Jake Palensky, Raymond Central, 5-10, 200, senior, RB/LBPalensky rushed for 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns on 214 carries, plus latched onto 13 air strikes for 237 yards and a pair of scores.
9. Jacey Nutter, Sandhills/Thedford (Dunning), 6-1, 185, junior, QB/DBNutter connected on 164 of 282 passes for 2,345 yards and 37 touchdowns, plus carried the ball 134 times for 505 yards and seven scores.
10. Jadyn Kowalski, Bellevue West, 6-4, 195, senior, P/QBKowalski completed 197 of 331 passes for 3,059 yards and 37 touchdowns, and ran for 216 yards and six scores on 75 carries.
