The Omaha North High School Vikings have a storied football tradition, marked by numerous state championships and legendary players.
The Vikings first claimed a Nebraska state title in 1929 and have since added championships in 1948, 1956, 1961, 1967, 2013, 2014, and 2017.
The Viking team were also state runners-up in 2012 and 2016.
At the heart of the legacy program are the coaches who have shaped the program over the years. The Vikings’ first coach was Ira Jones, who began in 1924, followed by J.W. Jackson, the first coach to win a state championship that same year. Carol Gast took the helm next, securing two championships in 1948 and 1956. Leonard Bond followed Gast, winning two championships in 1961 and 1967.
However, it is Larry Martin who stands out as the most notable recent coach, having served as a cornerstone of Omaha North High School’s football program for 25 years.
Martin joined the program back in 2000, since he has led the Vikings to sustained success and numerous accolades.
“I wanted to go somewhere where they really struggled for some success and I wanted to put my stamp on it,” said Martin.
When he started at North, he aimed to establish a culture where hard work and commitment were the standards, both on and off the field.
“The first thing is to put together a good staff, mostly with teachers in the building. I felt there was no correlation between the athletic and academic wing. I felt that we needed to rebuild that relationship there,” said Martin.
Martin also emphasized the importance of the weight room.
“If you want to be good at football you have to get your kids in the weight room. We worked to solidify our culture in the weight room,” said Martin.
Under his guidance, the Vikings achieved numerous playoff appearances. In 2006, they secured their first-ever playoff victory, and the 2008 season saw the team tie the school record with 10 wins and advance to the state semifinals.
The 2012 season was pivotal for the program. North reached the Class A state championship game at Memorial Stadium. Although they fell short, the experience fueled their determination.
“The game that I recall that our kids finally believed we could get to Lincoln is when we upset Lincoln Southeast at home in 2012. That was a big win for our program because Lincoln Southeast was the defending state champ,” said Martin.
The following year, the Vikings returned to the state championship and emerged victorious over Omaha Westside, capturing their first state title in the playoff era.
Building on this momentum of the 2013 season, the Vikings secured their second consecutive state championship in 2014, completing an undefeated 13-0 season. They were recognized as one of the top three football teams in Nebraska history by the Omaha World-Herald. Martin and North won the state championship again in 2017, after falling short just the year prior, similarly to the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
In recent years, however, North has experienced some ups and downs since the 2017 championship win. Although they have made the playoffs every year since, they have yet to return to the championship game.
“In the future I expect our team to be just as good, if not better than the team we had this year,” Martin said.
Martin also holds the distinction of being one of the youngest coaches in Nebraska to reach 100 career wins. In 2013, he became the winningest coach in the school’s 90-year history, clinching his 88th victory in the state championship game.
Throughout their storied history, the Vikings have been home to numerous standout athletes who have left their mark on the program.
One notable Viking is Dewey Wade, a running back who was part of the 1948 state championship team and city championship teams in 1949 and 1950. Wade enjoyed a successful football career at Kansas State University and, after serving in the Marine Corps, played professionally for the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Cougars, Omaha Mustangs (in both the PFLA and CFL), and the Edmonton Eskimos.
Wade later transitioned into coaching, leading teams at the University at Buffalo, University of Maryland, Utah State University, and finally returning to his alma mater, Kansas State University.
Another standout player, Bob Churchich, a quarterback, is a University of Nebraska Hall of Famer.
Churchich, a multi-sport star at Omaha North, led the Vikings to an undefeated season in 1961. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, earning Omaha’s High School Athlete of the Year in 1962.
Churchich’s baseball prowess earned him All-American honors and the Big Eight batting title at the University of Nebraska. He played professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves and suited up for the Omaha Mustangs in semi-pro football.
Niles Paul is another Viking legend who attended the University of Nebraska and was drafted into the NFL in 2011.
Paul played for the Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the San Francisco 49ers.
As a junior, he recorded 32 receptions and 10 touchdown passes. As a senior, he was a key contributor to North’s 9-2 season, hauling in 46 passes for 814 yards and 13 touchdowns under Coach Martin’s guidance.
His performances earned him recognition as a first-team All-Nebraska, first-team All-Metro, and first-team Super-State honoree. He was also recognized nationally as a Parade All-American.
Paul began his collegiate career at the University of Nebraska as a wide receiver and return specialist in 2007.
During his time at Nebraska, he recorded 103 receptions for 1,532 yards and five touchdowns. He finished his career with 4,122 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 selections in both 2009 and 2010.
After a successful collegiate career, Paul declared for the NFL Draft in 2011 and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round.
Paul is back at North, where he has been coaching since 2022.
The Omaha North Vikings’ football program stands as a testament to the dedication of its coaches and players, who have built a rich legacy of success over the decades.
Their commitment to excellence continues to inspire future generations of athletes at Omaha North High School.
