Elijah Cannon, 12, is the starting quarterback (QB) for the 2025-2026 football season at Omaha North. He transferred to North from Creighton Prep after winter break of the 2024-2025 school year to join the North High football team.  

While playing for Creighton Prep, Cannon was not awarded as many opportunities as he has here at North. 

“I wasn’t exactly given a fair opportunity at Prep, it’s a more politics-based school, they have a different standard,” said Cannon.  

When transferring to North, Cannons’ brother Jayden Cannon, 11, transferred with him. They have the chance to play on the same team this football season.  

“I love being on the same team as my brother and watching him grow as a player and a person,” said Cannon.  

In prior years Cannon and his brother did not have the opportunity to play on the same team.  

“He’s a year younger than me so we never really got the chance to play together until now,” said Cannon. 

Cannon has six siblings including his brother, two older sisters and three younger sisters.  

A lot of Cannon’s success is due to the support he has from his parents and other family members.  

 “My mom and dad are really supportive with paying for things like training and being there for me throughout my football career,” said Cannon.   

Cannon’s father is a constant source of inspiration for him, shaping not just his approach to football but also guiding him through all facets of life. 

“My dad has shown me how to be a strong person and to work through struggles by telling me about how he grew up,” said Cannon.  

As for his life at school, Cannon takes inspiration from people such as Coach Larry Martin.  

“Coach Martin talks to us like we are his own children, having that kind of support system is very helpful,” said Cannon.   

Cannon is determined to be successful; he aspires to go to college and continue his football career.  

“I want to go to college, my dream school is Ohio State of course,” said Cannon. 

If Cannon does not end up at a university to play football, he has a back-up plan and other goals.  

“If I cannot play ball in college, I would like to go to U.N.O and pursue physical therapy,” said Cannon.  

Cannon has been playing football since the second grade. He has not always played quarterback; at the very beginning of his football career, he was a running back. 

“Up until the sixth grade I was a running back, but now I love playing quarterback,” said Cannon. 

Although it is not the position he played when he was first starting out, Cannon does like playing quarterback.  

“I enjoy it, my dad inspired me by talking about how he used to play back in the day,” said Cannon. 

When it comes to professional football, Cannon takes inspiration from people such as Bryce Young, a quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.  

“Me and Bryce Young are about the same size; I could be like him some day. The ‘if he can do it, I can do it’ type of mentality,” said Cannon.  

Cannon believes that things like football and social media are second to his education.  

“School comes first, once all my work is done, then I can have fun,” said Cannon.  

Cannon believes he has made a good decision by transferring to Omaha North.  

“I really enjoy attending North, I went to Davis for middle school, coming back to OPS is really nice,” said Cannon. 

The 2025 football season is off to a good start with two wins and one loss. Cannon is excited to see how the rest of the season goes.  

“We have a difficult schedule but I am excited to see how far we get,” said Cannon.