I was going to write this column about the NFL playoffs.

OMAHA! OMAHA!

I decided to audible.

Then, I was going to write this column about Alex Rodriguez.

But ... OMAHA! OMAHA!

I nixed that idea, too.

Topics such as the flawed method of selecting Major League Baseball Hall of Famers, the quick triggers NFL owners have when firing coaches and even the Chicago Cubs new (lame) mascot came to mind.

However, you guessed it ... OMAHA! OMAHA!

I decided to go with a more local topic, blending two of my favorite things this time of year: high school sports and award shows.

So, here are my mid-winter sports season awards, sponsored by Peyton Manning, the soon-to-be new spokesman for the Greater OMAHA! Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Best Supporting Actor — Ben Mazzotta, Mars hockey.

The dude is the very definition of support, in the form of a PIHL Class A-leading 16 assists this season for the 11-2 Planets.

Best Supporting Actress — Annie Hegedus, Karns City girls basketball.

LeeAnn Gibson, Shanel Preston and Emily LoPresti have been the main scorers this season for the undefeated Gremlins, but Hegedus is what makes everything run on offense as the point guard.

Her contributions don’t show up on the stat page every night.

Best Actor — Owen Nearhoof, Mars basketball.

Nearhoof was a supporting actor for his first three seasons with the Planets, but with four starters from last season graduating, Nearhoof has taken over top billing in Season Four.

And how has he responded? With 20-plus points per game and providing a glue that is holding a young team together in a very difficult section.

Best Actress — Julia Baxter, Butler basketball.

Wow, has Baxter been good.

Mackenzie O’Donnell excelled last season for Butler as the main inside threat, but Baxter is eclipsing the Tornado graduate in every category this season, averaging 18.5 points and well over 10 rebounds per game. She has been a main reason why Butler is off to a 7-3 start and in third place in the section.

Best Director — Ron McNabb, Knoch boys basketball.

McNabb has preached defense, defense, defense and has seen the Knights stifle opponents’ offenses.

He gets every last drop of effort out of his players and that has been reflected in a 10-1 start, the only loss to undefeated quad-A team Hampton.

Some awards don’t make it into the main program. Here are a few more:

Best Duo — Alex Lynch and Ben Lynch, Seneca Valley wrestlers; Best Newcomer — Brooke Zukowski, Knoch swimming; Best Musical Score: The Knoch pep band.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.