16 Days Until Gameday – Day #78 Saunders County, Nebraska

We have 16 days until our first game of the 2026-2027 football season against the Ohio Bobcats on 9/5/2026.
Yesterday we looked at Sarpy County, Nebraska.

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/17-days-until-gameday-–-day-77-sarpy-county-nebraska.8937368/

Saunders County, Nebraska

• Established in 1856 by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature.
• It was originally named Calhoun County, but it was not popular among early settlers, so in 1862, the county was changed to Saunders County in honor of Nebraska Territory Governor Alvin Saunders.
• License plate prefix #6.
• The population is ~23,700 and has been growing since 1950 but is currently slightly above its peak in 1900.
• The county is approximately 760 square miles.
• The Platte River flows along the northern border of the county.
• Most of Saunders County was originally home to the Otoe Indians, with the Pawnee Indians
• Wahoo is the county seat and the largest city in the county.
• On the east lawn of the Saunders County courthouse is a replica Mark 14 torpedo. The replica torpedo is a memorial to the U.S.S. Wahoo, a submarine that was sunk in action during WWII. Every October on the anniversary of the sinking, a memorial service is held to honor the 65 sailors who perished with the submarine.
• Ashland was the first town in the county.
• Ashland was previously known as Saline Ford.
• Ashland was built near a section of the Salt Creek that was the safest to pass.
• Ashland was the county seat from 1867-1873, when it moved to Wahoo.
• Valparaiso is derived from a Spanish name meaning ‘Vale of Paradise’.
• Most of Prague was settled by Bohemian immigrants, which is today the Czech Republic or Czechia.
• Prague is named after Prague, Czechia.
• Prague is not pronounced like Prague, however. It rhymes with ‘Craig’.
• Prague is home to the world’s largest kolach.
• Most of the settlers of Memphis came from Memphis, Tennessee. They originally wanted to name the town Owenville to honor Jack Owen, the man who owned the land, but he declined and they landed with Memphis.
• Mead was largely settled by Swedish immigrants. It was originally named Saunders in 1877 but in 1880 it was changed to Mead.
• Malmo was largely settled by Swedish immigrants in 1887.
• Malmo was named after Malmo, Sweden.
• Leshara is named after a Pawnee chief, Petalesharo, who lived in the area in the 1800s.
• Ceresco and Colon were both settled by settlers from Michigan.
• Cedar Bluffs was a stopping point along the Mormon Trail, Oregon Trail, and California Trail.
• Yutan is named after Chief Ietan, whose tribe lived in the area.
• Yutan was originally named Clear Creek from 1876-1884, before it was changed to Yutan.
• In the Dakota language, Wahoo means ‘arrow wood’.
• Wahoo was named after the eastern wahoo, a shrub found on the banks of the Wahoo Creek.
• Wahoo was largely settled by Czech, German, and Scandinavian immigrants.
• In 1996, Wahoo was announced the location of the home office that produced the Top Ten List for David Letterman's Late Show program. The town had lobbied Letterman for the role for months. It had the Nebraska Legislature proclaim Letterman an admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska, and it inundated him with letters, postcards, and bribes of flowers, clothing, animals, alcoholic beverages, shredded money, and free checkups at the Wahoo Medical Center. When Letterman jokingly said he wanted more, Wahoo sent him a '76 Ford Pinto with a sofa attached to the hood, a wall clock made of cow droppings, and two of the town's teenagers, brothers Jeff and Josh Price. The nightly recap of the Top Ten List at the CBS website was titled The Wahoo Gazette.
• John F. Kennedy College was in Wahoo before closing in 1975. The school won the first 3 national championships of the Women’s College World Series in college history.

Former Huskers and Spotlights (years are letterman years)
According to University of Nebraska-Lincoln records, there have been 23 letterman football players from Saunders County, NE.

Jason Benes – CB 1995-1997, Valparaiso, NE.

• 5’11” 190lb cornerback wearing #24.
• All-State walk-on out of Raymond-Central HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1993-1997, lettering from 1995-1997.
• 3x National Champion
• 1997 Academic All-Big 12
• Played in 22 games in his career, finishing with 3 tackles.

Mark Blazek – S 1986-1988, Valparaiso, NE.

• 6’2” 200lb safety wearing #23
• All-State walk-on out of Raymond Central HS
• Played at Nebraska from 1984-1988, lettering from 1986-1988.
• 2x Academic All-American
• 2x Academic All-Big Eight
• 2x All-Big Eight
• 1988 Toyota Leader of the Year Award winner
• National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame member
• Finished his career with 112 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 8 INTs.
• Led thew 1987 secondary with 45 tackles.

Nick Virka – OL 2019, Morse Bluff, NE.

• 6’6” 255lb offensive lineman wearing #62
• Walk-on out of North Bend HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2018-2019, lettering in 2019.

Ryan Barry – MG 1992, Malmo, NE.


Colton Feist – DL 2020-2022, Yutan, NE.

• 6’2” 275lb defensive lineman wearing #82.
• All-State player and state champion out of Yutan HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2018-2022, lettering from 2020-2022.
• 2x Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• 4x Academic All-Big Ten
• Played in 24 games with 12 starts, finishing with 46 tackles, 7 TFL, .5 sacks.

Josh Anderson – CB 1997-1999, Wahoo, NE.

• 5’8” 175lb cornerback wearing #28.
• Played at Nebraska from 1996-2000, lettering from 1997-1999.

Steve Carmer – S 1990-1992, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’2” 210lb free safety wearing #31
• All-State player out of Wahoo HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1988-1992, lettering from 1990-1992
• 2x All-Big Eight
• Played in 34 games, starting 22.
• Finished his career with 182 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.

Brandon Chapek – OL 2013, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’5” 305lb offensive lineman wearing #51.
• All-State player out of Bishop Neumann HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2009-2013, lettering in 2013.
• He played in 6 games in his career.

Chace Long- K 2000, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’1” 205lb kicker wearing #10
• Handled kickoff duties in 2000
• 2000 Academic All-Big 12

Steve Manstedt – DE 1971-1973, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’2” 202lb defensive end wearing #82.
• All-State walk-on out of Wahoo HS.
• 2x All-Big Eight
• Selected in the 4th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers.
• Nebraska Football Hall of Fame member
• Member of a rare group who played for both Hall of Fame coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne.

John Martin – LB 1994, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’2” 245lb outside linebacker wearing #49.
• Played at Nebraska from 1990-1994, lettering in 1994.
• 1994 National Champion
• 2x All-State and walk-on out of Bishop Neumann HS

Emil Placek – QB 1895-1896, Wahoo, NE.

• The 1895 team finished 6-3, Western Interstate University Football Association co-champions, and Nebraska state champions in Coach Charles Thomas’ 1st and only season. He would leave for Arkansas.
• The 1896 team would finish 6-3-1 and Nebraska state champions in Hall of Fame Coach Edward Robinson’s 1st season at Nebraska.

Gregg Reeves – DE 1983-1985, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’3” 225lb defensive end wearing #84
• Walk-on out of Wahoo Neumann HS
• Played at Nebraska from 1981-1985, lettering from 1983-1985.
• Finished his career with 44 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTS, and 1 fumble recovery.

Alex Shada – TE 2003, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’3” 245lb tight end wearing #80.
• Played at Nebraska from 2001-2003, lettering in 2003.

Travis Toline – RE 1995-1998, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’3” 245lb rush end wearing #92
• All-State player out of Wahoo HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1994-1998, lettering from 1995-1998.
• 3x National Champion.
• 3x Academic All-Big 12
• Played in 39 games in his career, finishing with 34 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack.

Tyler Toline – DE 2002, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’2” 235lb defensive end wearing #93
• Played at Nebraska from 2000-2003, lettering in 2003.

Matt Turman – QB 1994-1996, Wahoo, NE.

• 5’11” 185lb quarterback wearing #11.
• All-State and all-time passing leader out of Neumann High School.
• Played at Nebraska from 1992-1996, lettering from 1994-1996.
• 2x National Champion
• Played in 33 games in his career with 1 start.
• Finishing with 238 rushing yards and 5 TDs, with 295 passing yards and 4 TDs.
• 1996 Academic All-Big 12

Noah Vedral – QB 2019, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’1” 200lb quarterback wearing #16
• All-State player for Bishop Neumann HS.
• Transferred to Nebraska from UCF.
• Played at Nebraska from 2018-2019, lettering in 2019.
• 2019 Academic All-Big Ten
• Nephew of Matt Turman

Steve Volin – OG 1994-1995, Wahoo, NE.

• 6’2” 280lb guard wearing #68.
• All-State lineman out of Wahoo HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1991-1995, lettering from 1994-1995.
• Played in 18 games in his career.
• 2x National Champion
• 1995 Academic All-Big Eight
• 1995 Academic All-American

William Bryant – G 1941-1942, Ashland, NE.

• 5’11” 190lb guard wearing #29.
• Played at Nebraska from 1940-1942, lettering from 1941-1942.

Barry Kitrell – FB 1988, Ashland, NE.

• 5’10” 215lb fullback wearing #36.
• Walk-on out of Ashland-Greenwood HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 1984-1988, lettering in 1988.
• Son, Bo, would letter at Nebraska.

Bo Kitrell – RB 2018, Ashland, NE.

• 6’1” 225lb running back wearing #30.
• All-State player out of Ashland-Greenwood HS.
• Played at Nebraska from 2014-2018, lettering in 2018.
• 2x Academic All-Big Ten
• 2018 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• 2019 Nebraska Outstanding Scholar Award winner

Ben Stille – DL 2017-2021, Ashland, NE.

• 6’5” 290lb defensive lineman wearing #95
• 2x All-State player out of Ashland-Greenwood HS
• Played at Nebraska from 2016-2021, lettering from 2017-2021.
• 5x Academic All-Big Ten
• 2019 Sam Foltz Hero 27 Leadership Award winner
• 2x Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• 2017 All-Big Ten Freshman
• 2019 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner
• 2x Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
• Played in 53 games, starting 34, finishing his career with 149 tackles, 30 TFLs, 14.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.

Other Notable or Prominent People from/born in Saunders County:

Bob Cerv – Born and raised in Weston in a Bohemian community. Bob served in the Navy during WWII and then played baseball and basketball for the Huskers. He was a 4-year letterman for basketball and a 4-year starter for baseball, the first in Husker history. He was the Huskers’ first All-American baseball player. He played professional baseball from 1951-1962. Bob was a 1956 World Series champion with the New York Yankees.

Zach Miller – Born in Weston and graduated from Bishop Neumann HS in Wahoo. 2x state champion in basketball and All-State football player and basketball player. Walked on at Nebraska where he redshirted his freshman year and then transferred to Nebraska-Omaha. He played quarterback for the Mavericks, finishing his career with 4,096 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, and 3,122 rushing yards and a school record 50 touchdowns. Zach was drafted in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played 6 seasons in the league before suffering a gruesome career ending knee injury.

Harold Hansen – Born in Ithaca and graduated high school in Wahoo. He graduated from the Naval Academy and rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Marine Corps. Bronze Star recipient in WWII.

Clayton Anderson – Born in Omaha and grew up in Ashland. He graduated from Hastings College. He is an astronaut with NASA and has over 38 total hours of spacewalking. He is the first and only astronaut from Nebraska and retired in 2013. He is the president and CEO of the Strategic Air Command & Space Museum.

Jeff Raikes – Born and raised in Ashland. He is a graduate of Stanford University. Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at Nebraska is named in his honor. From 2008-2014, Raikes was the CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He worked for Microsoft from 1981-2008, climbing through many roles and executive positions.

Shuko Akune – Born in Wahoo. She was an actress known for her roles on various TV shows from 1985-2000.

George Beadle – Born and raised in Wahoo. Graduated from UNL and Cornell. Shared a Nobel Prize for his discovery of the role of gene mutation due to biochemical events. George Beadle Middle School in Omaha is named in his honor. The Beadle Center at UNL’s Department of Biochemistry is named in his honor.

Sam Crawford – Born and raised in Wahoo. Sam played in the MLB from 1899-1917. He was nicknamed Wahoo Sam. He is in the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame for leading 2 state football championships. He is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, set an MLB career record with 309 triples, named to the Detroit Tigers Ring of Honor, 3x AL RBI leader, 2x MLB home run leader, and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dave Heineman – Born in Falls City, but graduated high school in Wahoo. He served as the 39th Governor of Nebraska from 2005-2015.

Darryl Zanuck – Born in Wahoo. He served in France during WWII with the Nebraska National Guard. Darryl was a co-founder of 20th Century Fox. He produced 3 films that won the Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award 3 times, the only person to win it more than once.




GO BIG RED




Resources:
https://storage.googleapis.com/husk.../ZD6pyAK8hFocPYXCFPaVccH8170tcm1uOYyc7u0R.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saunders_County,_Nebraska
https://saunderscounty.ne.gov/
https://nebraskacounties.org/nebraska-counties/county/saunders.html
https://nebraskacounties.org/file_download/inline/ad84d4fd-1d5d-4bf0-a746-baaaff730056
https://www.saunderscomuseum.org/