Jesse Helm

Asst. HS baseball ⚾️ Asst. MS football 🏈 Head MS boys basketball 🏀 #NemahaCentral #RockChalk #ChiefsKingdom

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2A STATE CHAMPIONS, ALL IN FOR 61. 💜🏈

What happened today in Hutchinson was bigger than a trophy. Bigger than a scoreboard. Bigger than football.

Earlier this season, Nemaha Central senior lineman Daniel Childress (#61) was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent brain surgery and immediately began a fight no teenager should ever face but he attacked it with the same toughness and courage he brought to every snap.

And Kansas noticed. The entire state rallied around him. Teams, towns, communities, all backing 61 in his fight.

In the semifinals, his teammates FaceTimed him from the field after punching their ticket to the title game. Today, Daniel stood on the sideline in person, watching his brothers finish the job.

From the opening kickoff, 61 was everywhere. Every player carrying him with them. Every coach knowing exactly who this was for.

When the final horn sounded and Nemaha Central won the 2025 2A State Championship over SE of Saline, 35-6, the emotions were incredible. Players sprinting to him. Coaches embracing him. A celebration that said loud and clear:

Courage matters. Fight matters. Family matters.

Daniel’s battle became this team’s heartbeat.
His strength became their standard. And today, he watched his team bring home a state title with him at the center of it all.

This is what high school sports is about.
This is more than football. This is a community and state going ALL IN FOR 61.

🏆 2025 2A State Champions: Nemaha Central
💜 This one’s for you, #61.
#morethanfootball #sportsinkansas #allinfor61 #courage

[Nemaha Thunder @nchsthunder]

State Runner Up!

Congrats to #Nemaha Football on an 11-2 season and a tremendously played Championship game.

Thank you fans, thank you players, thank you coaches, and GO THUNDER!!!

[Kansas Men’s Basketball @KUHoops]

The most history. The best tradition. The Winningest Coach.

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

Big shoutout to Mr. Ulmer and 36 Alleys for hosting us today. Ready for some dry weather, but the boys got to compete a little today. #nemaha

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

We had a great time this weekend!

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

Gameday vs. Hiawatha @ the Swish!! #nemaha #dirtbags

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

Gameday vs. Riverside @ The Swish!! #nemaha #dirtbags

[Jesse Helm @helmja08]

JV boys made the trek to Riley County this evening and came home with a 16-0 win. Improving their record to 3-1 @CentralNemaha

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

Thunder JV took the diamond today for a round robin tournament at Sabetha. They finished 2-1, with wins against Oskaloosa, 17-2 and Hiawatha, 12-5, and a 6-5 loss to Sabetha.

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

Happy to be hosting this Clinic again. Come and learn from your favorite @CentralNemaha players!

[KSHSAA @KSHSAA]

Zeroed in: No. 1 Nemaha Central keeps shutout streak rolling with 28-0 blanking of No. 2 Sabetha in KSHSAA Covered Game of the Week

#KSHSAACovered x @CapFed

https://t.co/Wh49f5B7sh

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

Carter Hajek, sophomore QB of Nemaha Central, had 6 rushing TD’s and a passing TD in last nights win over Horton. Picking right up where his brother Cooper, a top 11 pick from SIK, left off last season for the 2A state champion. Thunder are 4-0 and have allowed just six points all season. Hajek pictured earlier this season. Photo: Dari Hilbert #sportsinkansas

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

Nemaha falls to Sabetha in the regional final 14-10. The Thunder finish the season at 14-5 and regional runner up. Thanks to our 4 seniors, Brayden, Kace, Treyvan and Jaden. You will be missed! Great season, and the future looks bright! #NCThunder #Family

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

Nemaha defeats @SilverLakeEagle 7-2 to advance to the regional final tomorrow vs @BluejaySabetha. Game time is set for 2 pm at Swisher Field in Seneca. #NCThunder #Family

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

Rainout?? No problem, the Thunder spent the afternoon at 36 Alleys after their games against Marysville were cancelled. #NCThunder #Family

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

NC JV takes both games vs @WeAreHolton 8-3 & 14-2. #NCThunder #Family

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

Brayden Uphaus of Nemaha Central hit 2 bombs and a double off the wall Tuesday vs Hiawatha. That makes 5 on the season for him. Also has 43 strikeouts with a .80 era.

📸: Sophie Schumacher

#sportsinkansas

[Schuyler Mayberry @SkipMayberry]

Squad cleans up nice. @CentralNemaha
#NCBaseball #Family

[Nemaha Central Baseball @CentralNemaha]

Thunder JV sweep the double header against visiting Riverside, 11-1 & 11-0. #NCThunder #Family