17 Days Until Gameday – Day #77 Sarpy County, Nebraska

We have 17 days until our first game of the 2026-2027 football season against the Ohio Bobcats on 9/5/2026.
Yesterday we looked at Saline County, Nebraska.

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/18-days-until-gameday-–-day-76-saline-county-nebraska.8935215/

Sarpy County, Nebraska

• Established in 1857 when Territorial Legislature partitioned off the southern half of Douglas County.
• The county is named after Peter Sarpy, a French-American fur trader who helped develop the Nebraska Territory and was essential in establishing the towns of Bellevue and Decatur.
• License plate prefix #59, although Sarpy County no longer participates in the license plate prefix as of 2002.
• Papillion is the county seat and Bellevue is the largest city in the county.
• The population is ~208,000 (2025) and has been growing since it was founded, never seeing a decade with a population decrease.
• The county is approximately 248 square miles, making it Nebraska’s smallest county by total area.
• Sarpy County is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area.
• The land of Sarpy County was originally part of the territory belonging to the Omaha tribe.
• The area was explored in 1805 by the Lewis and Clarke expedition.
• Fort Crook used to be an Army post, established in the 1890s, and was used to dispatch troops for Indian conflicts in the region. In the early 1920s, Offutt Field was added to the post. After WWII, the Army Air Force re-designated Fort Crook as Offutt Field and in 1946, Offutt Field became the headquarters for Air Defense Command Second Air Force.
• The Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the first atomic bomb over Japan, was built at Offutt Field.
• The Platte River flows through the county and the Missouri River flows along the eastern border marking the state line.
• Richfield was named for the rice fertile soil in the area.
• Bellevue is French for ‘beautiful view’.
• Bellevue is the 3rd most populous city in Nebraska.
• Bellevue is the oldest continuously inhabited community in Nebraska.
• Bellevue was originally founded as a trading post for the Missouri Fur Company.
• In 2019, approximately 200 homes were destroyed from flooding from the Missouri River.
• La Vista was known as the House of Nines because in 1959 a land developer built 335 homes and priced them at $9,999 each.
• La Vista is translated to ‘The View’.
• The population of Gretna nearly doubled between 2020 and 2022.
• Gretna was established in 1887 after the Burlington Railroad built a short line between Omaha and Ashland.
• Papillion was part of territory claimed by France in the 1700’s. Early French explorers named it after the Papillion Creek that flows through the area.
• Papillion is a French term for ‘butterfly’.
• The Omaha Storm Chasers play in Werner Park in Papillion and are the AAA affiliate for the Kansas City Royals.
• Gretna Days takes place the last full weekend of July each year and has been occurring for over 60 years. There is a parade, fireworks, carnival games and rides, a beer garden, golf and cornhole tournaments, and more.
• Papillion Days takes place in June every year and has been occurring for nearly 80 years (next year is the 80th annual event). You can witness one of the largest parades in Nebraska, a carnival and market in the park with rides, games, and shopping, a night dedicated to family fun, helicopter rides, a car show and a beer garden.
• The Sarpy County Fair is held every August in Springfield. Next year will be the 90th fair! You can find a concert, 4-H exhibits, vendor booths, and a carnival.
• The music video for Lady Gaga’s ‘You and I’ was filmed in Springfield.
• Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is one of the largest fall festivals in the country spanning over 400 acres.

Former Huskers and Spotlights (years are letterman years)
According to University of Nebraska-Lincoln records, there have been 38 letterman football players from Sarpy County, NE. Not all are listed below.

Joe Adams – OG 1979-1980, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’5” 240lb offensive guard wearing #64.
• All-State linebacker for Coach Bill James at Bellevue High School.
• Played at Nebraska from 1976-1980, lettering from 1979-1980.
• Started at guard his senior year in 1980.
• 1980 team finished 10-2.
• 1980 All-Big Eight
• 1980 Academic All-Big Eight
• Selected in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

Monte Anthony – IB 1974-1977, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’3” 205lb I-Back wearing #49.
• Played at Nebraska from 1974-1977, lettering all 4 years.
• 1977 Tom Novak Award winner
• 1974 Big Eight Freshman of the Year
• Rushed for 2,274 yards on 506 carries and 21 touchdowns.
• Selected in the 8th round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts.

Reggie Baul – SE 1993-1995, Bellevue, NE.

• 5’8” 170lb split end wearing #7.
• All-State player out of Papillion-LaVista HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1991-1995, lettering from 1993-1995.
• 2x NCAA National Champion
• Played in 34 games in his career while starting 20, finishing with 41 catches for 720 yards and 5 touchdowns.
• 2x All-Big Eight

Rik Bonness – C 1973-1975, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’4” 220lb center wearing #54.
• All-State player out of Bellevue HS.
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame member.
• 2x Nebraska Weightlifter of the Year
• 2x 1st Team All-American, the 7th in Nebraska history.
• 2x 1st Team All-Big Eight
• 1975 1st Team Academic All-American
• Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders where he played linebacker.
• Super Bowl XI Champion with the Raiders.

Steve Hoins – T 1974-1976, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’3” 255lb offensive tackle wearing #78.
• All-Metro player under Coach Bill James at Bellevue High School.
• Played at Nebraska from 1972-1976, lettering from 1974-1976.
• 2x All-Big Eight
• 1976 Nebraska led the Big Eight in passing offense with 188 ypg

Tony Holloway – DE 1983-1986, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’3” 205lb defensive end wearing #91.
• All-State player for Coach Jerry Van Waart out of Bellevue West HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1982-1986, lettering from 1983-1986.
• Began his career at linebacker.
• He finished his career with 61 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery.

Clester Johnson – WB 1993-1995, Bellevue, NE.

• 5’11” 210lb wingback wearing #33.
• 2x All-State quarterback and Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year at Bellevue West HS.
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame member.
• Played at Nebraska from 1991-1995, lettering from 1993-1995.
• 2x NCAA National Champion
• 1995 All-Big Eight
• 1995 Native Son Award winner
• Played in 38 games in his career, starting 11, finishing with 556 yards on 34 catches and 5 touchdowns.

Matt O’Hanlon – S 2006-2009, Bellevue, NE.

• 5’11” 200lb safety wearing #33
• All-State player out of Bellevue East HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2005-2009, lettering from 2006-2009.
• Played in 51 games in his career, starting 23 and finished with 132 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 7 INTs.
• Tied a Nebraska game record with 3 INTs.
• 3x Academic All-Big 12
• 2009 Holiday Bowl MVP
• 2009 Cletus Fischer Native Son Award winner
• 2009 Bobby Reynolds Award winner
• 2009 All-Big 12

Stan Parker – OG 1984-1986, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’5” 270lb offensive tackle wearing #74
• High School All-American for Coach Don James out of Bellevue East HS.
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame member.
• Played at Nebraska from 1982-1986, lettering from 1984-1986.
• Started on the offensive line in 1985 and 1986.
• Stan Parker began the tradition of the praying at the center of the field with Oklahoma’s Spencer Tillman after their 1986 game.

Tim Rother – DT 1986-1987, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’6” 265lb defensive tackle wearing #78.
• Walk-on out of Bellevue East HS.
• Played at Nebraska in 1983-1987, lettering from 1986-1987.
• 1987 All-Big Eight
• Selected in the 4th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders.
• Finished his career with 56 tackles, 15 TFLs.

Mark Traynowicz – C 1982-1984, Bellevue, NE.

• 6’6” 265lb center wearing #57.
• All-State player for Coach Jerry Van Waart out of Bellevue West HS.
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame member.
• Played at Nebraska from 1980-1984, lettering from 1982-1984.
• 2x 1st Team All-Big Eight
• 2x 1st Team Academic All-Big Eight
• 1984 1st Team All-American
• Selected in the 2nd round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills

Jeremy Slechta – DT 1998-2001, La Vista, NE.

• 6’6” 285lb defensive tackle wearing #56.
• Played in 38 games in his career, starting 16, finishing with 97 tackles, 14 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 INT.
• 2001 All-Big 12
• 2001 Academic All-Big 12
• 2001 Team Captain
• 2001 Native Son Award winner

Brandt Wade – OG 1995-1998, Springfield, NE.

• 6’2” 300lb offensive guard wearing #61
• All-State player for Coach Dennis Mahaney out of Platteview HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1994-1998, lettering from 1995-1998.
• 3x NCAA National Champion.
• 3x Academic All-Big 12
• Played in 19 games in his career along the offensive line.

Lance Brown – WB 1995-1998, Papillion, NE

• 5’11” 190lb wingback wearing #14.
• All-State player out of Papillion-LaVista HS.
• 3x NCAA National Champion
• 3x Academic All-Big 12
• Played in 40 games, starting 11, finishing with 22 catches for 395 yards and 2 TDs.
• His son, Elliott, would play at Nebraska from 2020-2024.

John Gibson – WB 1998-2001, Papillion, NE.

• 6’ 195lb wingback wearing #8
• 2x All-State player, state record holder for the triple jump, 3x triple jump state champion, 1996 Nebraska Gatorade Athlete of the Year out of Papillion-LaVista HS.
• Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame member.
• Played at Nebraska from 1997 to 1998, lettering from 1998-2001
• 1997 NCAA National Champion
• 2001 Tom Novak Award winner
• Finished his career with 30 catches for 344 yards and 2 TDs.
• Much of his career was derailed by multiple ACL tears.

Dylan Utter – OL 2014-2016, Papillion, NE.

• 6’1” 295lb offensive lineman wearing #66
• 2x All-State player out of Papillion-LaVista HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2012-2016, lettering from 2014-2016.
• Played in 32 games in his career, starting 27.
• 2x Academic All-Big Ten
• 2016 Team Captain

Andy Janovich – FB 2012-2015, Gretna, NE.

• 6’1” 230lb fullback wearing #35
• All-State player and state champion wrestler for Gretna HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2012-2015, lettering all 4 years.
• Played in 50 games in his career, starting 10.
• Finished with 45 rushes for 271 yards and 3 TDs, 5 catches for 87 yards, and 13 tackles.
• 2015 All-Big Ten
• 2015 Tom Novak Award winner
• 2015 Nebraska Lifter of the Year
• Selected in the 6th round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
• Played 6 years in the NFL.

Mick Stoltenberg – DL 2015-2018, Gretna, NE.

• 6’5” 315lb defensive lineman wearing #44
• Played at Nebraska from 2014-2018, lettering from 2015-2018.
• Finished his career with 41 games and 25 starts, 69 tackles, 9 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT.
• 2018 Sam Foltz Hero 27 Leadership Award winner
• 3x Academic All-Big Ten
• 2018 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• 2018 Team Captain
• 2018 Cletus Fischer Native Son Award winner

Other Notable or Prominent People from/born in Sarpy County (not all are listed):

Buddy Carlyle – From Bellevue. He played in the MLB between 1999-2015. He currently works for the Tampa Bay Rays as a pitching coordinator.

Tyler Cloyd – Born in Bellevue and played baseball for UNO. Played in the MLB from 2012-2018.

Abbie Cornett – Born in Omaha and a graduate of UNO and Bellevue University. She currently resides in Bellevue and is a member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. She served in the Nebraska Legislature from 2005-2013.

Erick Strickland – Born in Alabama, but grew up in Nebraska. Graduated from Bellevue West, he finished his career as the 2nd all-time scorer for Class A Nebraska basketball. He played basketball for the Huskers from 1992-1996. He played in 127 games, starting 84 and finished averaging 12.5 points, 3.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He played 9 years in the NBA for 6 teams.

Sarah Weber – From Gretna. Sarah was an All-State and All-American soccer player and 2x Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year at Gretna HS. She played soccer for the Huskers, appearing in 78 games, starting 77. She was a 3x All-Big Ten player, 2023 All-American and currently plays professionally for Racing Louisville.

Jordy Frahm – From Papillion, she was a 4x All-State, 3x state champion, 2x Nebraska Softball Player of the Year, Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year. She played softball for Oklahoma and Nebraska, finishing her career with 2 Women’s College World Series championships, 2023 WCWS Most Outstanding Player, 2x WCWS All-Tournament Team, 4x 1st Team All-American, USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, 2x NFCA National Player of the Year, 2x All-Big 12, 2x All-Big Ten. Following the 2026 season, Jordy was named an assistant coach for Nebraska.

Abbie Cobb – Grew up in Papillion. Abbie is an actress and author. She is most known for her role as Emily Bradford on 90210.

Brandon Curran – Born in Papillion. He played college soccer for the University of Massachusetts Lowell from 2001-2004. He was a 2002 All-American and is inducted in the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame. He played professional soccer from 2002-2008.

Amber Rolfzen – From Papillion, she played volleyball for UNL and played professional volleyball in Germany.

Becca Swanson – Born and raised in Papillion, Becca is a UNL graduate and a professional powerlifter and wrestler. She has broken multiple powerlifting world records for women to include the squat (601 lbs), bench (523 lbs), deadlift (621 lbs) , and total weight. She is regarded as the strongest woman to ever live. She is the only woman to deadlift 620+ pounds, the first woman to be a member of the 2,000 pound club (there are now 2).

Allison Weston – Born and raised in Papillion. She is a member for the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame and was the Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year in 1992 for basketball. She played volleyball for Nebraska from 1992-1995, winning the 1995 National Championship. Allison finished her career with a school record 1,778 kills. She also won the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s best female collegiate volleyball player. She is also a 2000 Olympian, playing on the USA volleyball team. Sports Illustrated in 2012 named Allison as the best female athlete born in Nebraska.



GO BIG RED



Resources:
https://storage.googleapis.com/husk.../ZD6pyAK8hFocPYXCFPaVccH8170tcm1uOYyc7u0R.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarpy_County,_Nebraska
https://www.sarpy.gov/
https://nebraskacounties.org/nebraska-counties/county/sarpy.html
https://www.gosarpy.com/
https://nebraskacounties.org/file_download/inline/68329f4e-6107-44b4-abba-004402c7b02b