School Spotlight: Gretna High School (Gretna, NE)

Gretna High School is a public high school located in Gretna, Nebraska, USA. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 and is part of the Gretna Public Schools district. Gretna is a growing community in the Omaha metropolitan area, and its school system has been expanding to accommodate the increasing population. The Gretna High School football team has been one of the best high school football programs in Nebraska in the last couple of years. In the 2021-22 season, the Gretna Dragons were able to cap off their dominant 12-1 season by winning a state championship. The Gretna Dragons came in last with high hopes of winning back-to-back state championships. The Gretna Dragons have started off this season hot by winning their first three games and are looking to continue their winning streak by winning their next couple of games against Millard South High and Bellevue East High.

The Gretna High Dragons are currently coached by Head Coach Michael Kayl. Coach Kayl started at Gretna High School in 2014 as an assistant and later took over the head coaching position. Coach Kayl is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Gretna High Dragons football team. We were able to catch up and interview Head Coach Kayl about this upcoming season.

Every season and every team have something they focus on once the previous season is over and they go into the off-season. We asked Coach Kayl about what him and his team are focusing on going into this season.

“Trying to develop some depth and game experience.”
HC Mike Kayl

Developing depth is important whenever you have a large group of upperclassmen playing. Observing and developing the young talent can help maintain the dominance and culture of the football team. Each team has a goal of winning a state championship but only one team is able to actually win the state championship. The Gretna Dragons were close to winning the state championship but fell short in the championship game. We asked Coach Kayl about what him and the team learned about themselves based on how last season ended.

“To stay resilient and not settle with any previous success. Make every moment count.”
HC Mike Kayl

Each team has a motto or slogan they go by. The team’s motto is implemented by the coach but is executed by the team. We asked Coach Kayl about their team’s motto or slogan.

“Never Settle is this year’s motto.”
HC Mike Kayl

Keeping comfortable and settling can lead to teams losing game so never settling allows you to focus and continue to get better. We asked Coach Kayl about his top players to look out for this season. Here is his players: