2016 Football Capsules
CLASS 4A
ARBOR VIEW
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Dan Barnson, 10th season (72-28)
2015 record: 10-2 (4-0 Northwest League, first)
Returning lettermen: 17
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Double wing
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: RB Deago Stubbs (Jr.); QB Hayden Bollinger (Sr.); FB Andrew Wagner (Sr.); OL Ryan Hurley (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DL Greg Rogers (Sr.); DB Mike Sims (Sr.); LB Andrew Wagner (Sr.); LB Dekarri Gunn (Sr.)
Key losses: OL Keenen King; LB Bishop Jones; DB Alex Sims; RB Curtis Jones; DB Noah Noce; DL Gage Motl
Outlook: The Aggies took some graduation hits, but still look like a good bet to make a run for a third consecutive Northwest League title.
The biggest loss was King, who now is at Washington State. He paved the way for the team to average 283.7 rushing yards. His presence on the offensive line will be tough to replace, but the Aggies did add a big presence on the defensive front.
Rogers, a first-team all-state pick last season, transferred from Centennial where he had 64 tackles and six sacks as a junior. He’s ranked as the state’s top college prospect by ESPN.com. He’ll be joined on the defensive line by junior Elijah Wade, who wasn’t on the varsity roster last season but already holds scholarship offers from the likes of Michigan and Southern California.
Bollinger didn’t get the chance to throw often in Arbor View’s double-wing offense, but was effective, completing 54.6 percent of his passes for 853 yards and 12 TDs. He attempted just 88 passes.
His arm could lend a little balance to the team’s run-oriented offense. Leading rusher Curtis Jones (1,098 yards, 12 TDs) graduated, but Stubbs is coming off an outstanding sophomore season that saw him rush for 779 yards and five scores. He also was the team’s leading receiver with 11 catches for 262 yards and five TDs.
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BASIC
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: Jeff Cahill, ninth season (56-34)
2015 record: 10-2 (4-0 Southeast League, first)
Returning lettermen: 18
Returning starters: Three offense, zero defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3-5
Top offensive players: QB Aaron McAllister (Sr.); WR DeShawn Eagles (Sr.); WR Frank Harris (Sr.)
Top defensive players: MLB Toby Horneck (Sr.); S Jordan Gallegos (Jr.); DT Richard Schmidt (Sr.)
Key losses: QB Aeneas McAllister; LB Teyjean Thomas; CB Brian Evans
Outlook: The Wolves made a run to the Sunrise Region final last season, but took huge graduation hits, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive experience was a strength for Basic last season, but the Wolves must replace its entire starting lineup. It will be difficult to replace that experience and production, and Sunrise Region Defensive MVP Thomas (114 tackles, 7 sacks), will leave a huge hole.
Things look a little better on offense, but the team still must replace its leading passer, top two rushers and top receiver.
Aaron McAllister will step in for older brother Aeneas at quarterback. He got some good experience last fall when Aeneas was injured, and started the Sunrise Region title game with his older brother lining up at receiver. Aaron McAllister completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 555 yards and four TDs.
The 6-foot-4-inch Eagles (23 catches, 302 yards) and the 6-3 Harris (20 catches, 322 yards) give him a pair of big, athletic targets.
The Southeast League looks strong, and the young defense will need to play well for the Wolves to make another playoff run.
“We should have an explosive offense,” Cahill said. “We need to rebuild the defense.”
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BISHOP GORMAN
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Kenny Sanchez, second season (15-0)
2015 record: 15-0 (4-0 Southwest League, first)
Returning starters: Seven offense, Eight defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Tate Martell (Sr.); RB Biaggio Ali Walsh (Sr.); OL Adrian Dupuis (Sr.); OL Amir Johnson (Sr.); WR/QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DT Haskell Garrett (Sr.); DB Alex Perry (Sr.); DB Bubba Bolden (Sr.); LB Farrell Hester (Sr.)
Key losses: WR Tyjon Lindsey; OL Jaron Caldwell; OL Julio Garcia
Outlook: The Gaels begin their quest for a third consecutive mythical national championship, and they bring plenty of talent to tackle a difficult schedule.
Gorman, ranked No. 3 in USA Today’s preseason national rankings, has five players who already have committed to play for Division I programs.
Martell, the 2014 Review-Journal Player of the Year, and Ali Walsh, the 2015 Review-Journal Player of the Year, will lead a potent offense.
Martell, who has committed to Ohio State, passed for 2,608 yards and 32 TDs and rushed for 604 yards and nine scores as a junior. Ali Walsh, who has committed to California, carried the load on the ground, rushing for 2,451 yards and 33 TDs with a ridiculous average of 12.1 yards per carry.
The Gaels probably will need to find a replacement for first-team all-state receiver Lindsey (45 catches, 1,117 yards, 14 TDs), who transferred to Centennial (Calif.) for his senior season then back to Gorman in mid-August, but hasn’t been cleared by the NIAA.
Second-leading receiver Brandon Gahagan (36 catches, 648 yards, 7 TDs) also graduated, so someone will need to emerge as Martell’s go-to target if Lindsey does not return.
The new go-to receiver could well be Thompson-Robinson, who is a big-time college quarterback prospect, but will see time as receiver as he waits for Martell to graduate. Thompson-Robinson caught just five passes last season, but is an explosive athlete who averaged 9.6 yards per carry in limited action. He already holds scholarship offers from the likes of Michigan and UCLA along with several other schools.
Dupuis and Johnson return on the offensive line, but the Gaels must replace three starters, including Caldwell and Garcia, who now are playing at UNLV.
Garrett, who has committed to Ohio State, may be the state’s most dominating defensive player. He had 53 tackles and six sacks as a junior.
Hester, who has committed to UNLV, is back to lead the linebackers after leading the Gaels with 97 tackles and earning first-team all-state honors last season. Junior linebacker Palaie Gaoteote, who had 92 tackles in earning second-team all-state honors, also returns.
The secondary should be dominant, with Perry and Bolden leading the way. Both were first-team all-state picks last year, and both have numerous scholarship offers after decommitting from Pacific-12 programs.
They’re joined in the secondary by Malik Hausman, who has committed to Arizona.
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BONANZA
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Dion Lee, first season
2015 record: 2-7 (0-4 Northwest League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Four offense, Four defense
Base offensive set: Pro
Base defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: WR R.J. McCarter (Sr.); RB Ricardo Hill (Sr.); WR Josh Wilson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DB Chilo Dore (Sr.); LB Ammon Montenegro (Sr.)
Key losses: RB Deshawn Williams; WR/DB Jacob Perez
Outlook: First-year coach Lee takes over a program that dropped its final six games last season.
His focus is on increasing the number of players involved and building the program from the ground up.
McCarter leads the returnees and gives the Bengals a legitimate offensive weapon. He caught 38 passes for 640 yards and four TDs last fall.
But Bonanza must replace leading rusher Williams (931 yards, 7 TDs), who was a first-team All-Northwest League pick last season. The Bengals also lost second-leading receiver Perez (18 catches, 224 yards) and top passer Wyatt Allison (572 yards, 4 TDs).
Montenegro had 68 tackles last season and will lead the defense along with Dore (34 tackles). The Bengals move to the Southwest League this fall, and will have to face area power Bishop Gorman. But the rest of the league looks like it could be wide open.
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CANYON SPRINGS
League: Class 4A Northeast
Head coach: Gus McNair, first season
2015 record: 3-7 (1-3 Northeast League, fourth)
Returning lettermen: Nine
Returning starters: Four offense, Three defense
Base offensive set: Multiple formations
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: RB Diamante Burton (Sr.); RB Aubrey Washington (Jr.); WR Lazarus Kyle (Sr.); QB Dexter Hammond (Sr.); OL Donavan Wolfe (So.)
Top defensive players: DL Lord Oroke (Jr.); LB Jah-Quire Powell-Hunt (Jr.); LB Tyrese Ross (Sr.); LB/DB Daniel Ernest (Sr.); DB Tyshon Brown (Jr.)
Key losses: DB Marcel Selmon; DB Christian Minor
Outlook: The Pioneers struggled last season after capturing the Northeast League title in 2014.
Still, Canyon Springs made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and they stand a good chance to keep that streak alive this fall.
The Pioneers were inconsistent offensively last season, but Burton can be a dynamic weapon in the backfield. He rushed for 247 yards and three TDs as a sophomore, but was limited to 44 carries.
Hammond, who did not play last season, takes over at quarterback, and should be among the team’s top newcomers along with sophomore running back/defensive back Jayvion Pugh, and junior wide receiver Keyon White.
“We’re young on both sides of the ball,” McNair said. “Speed will be a major key for our success.”
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CENTENNIAL
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Leon Evans, seventh season (47-21)
2015 record: 8-3 (3-1 Northwest League, second)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Eight offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Multiple formations
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: QB Jamaal Evans (Sr.); WR Savon Scarver (Sr.); RB Kayvon Miller (Sr.); OL Jacob Kelly (Sr.)
Top defensive players: S J.J. Johnson (Sr.); LB Marvin Perkins (Sr.); DB Bryce Hampton (Sr.): DB Areth Rangel (Sr.)
Key losses: LB Tishawn Barnaby; CB Justice Selmon; WR Tyler Hennis; DL Tyler Williamson; DL Greg Rogers
Outlook: Jamaal Evans, who has committed to play at Utah State, gives the Bulldogs one of the area’s most athletic and versatile quarterbacks.
He completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 1,865 yards and 20 TDs with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 647 yards and 16 scores.
Scarver, a second-team all-state pick last season, is a big-play threat at receiver. He had 51 catches for 896 yards and 11 TDs last season.
Miller (665 yards, 5 TDs) was the team’s top rusher last season, and should be the clear go-to back this year.
Kelly should lead the offensive line along with Legacy transfer Nathan Sink.
The defense is a bigger question. First-team all-state defensive lineman Rogers (64 tackles, 6 sacks) transferred to Arbor View, and leading tackler Barnaby (111 tackles, 6 sacks) was a senior.
Perkins (64 tackles) and Johnson (44 tackles) should lead the defense, which looks strong in the secondary, but has some questions marks up front.
Coach Leon Evans has one clear goal for this team: “Win the Northwest Division.”
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Dave Snyder, second season (2-7)
2015 record: 2-8 (1-3 Northwest League, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Four offense, three defense
Base offensive set: I-Pro
Base defensive set: 3-5
Top offensive players: RB Tyree Riley (Sr.); QB George Tribble (Sr.)
Top defensive players: FS Kavion Harrell (Jr.)
Outlook: Snyder took over after the first game last season, and managed to get the Spartans into the playoffs where they lost 63-7 to eventual state champion Bishop Gorman.
Cimarron doesn’t have a ton of experience, but bringing back Riley is a good place to start.
The workhorse back rushed for 1,439 yards and six TDs as a junior, earning all-state honorable mention honors.
Tribble also returns after taking some lumps as a sophomore starter at quarterback. He completed just 35.3 percent of his passes for 573 yards and five TDs with eight interceptions.
A year of experience should help him improve on those numbers.
The team must show improvements on defense if it wants to make another playoff run. The Spartans allowed an average of 39.5 points last season.
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CLARK
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Don Willis, 11th season (31-64)
2015 record: 4-5 (2-5 Division I-A Sunset League, sixth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: One-back spread
Base defensive set: 3-3-5
Top offensive players: RB Nick Kinnard (Sr.); OL Noah Misiafa (Sr.); WR Marlon Kinnard (Sr.); OL Luis Ulloa (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Aquantay Morris (Jr.); DE Alejandro Encinas (Jr.); DB Bobby Coffman (Sr.); LB Nick Kinnard (Sr.)
Key losses: LB Robert A’Hearn; OL/DL Mervyn Penniston-John
Outlook: The Chargers have made the playoffs only once since 2002, and now they make the jump back to the state’s largest classification, Class 4A.
Clark has some solid experience with six starters back on each side of the ball. Nick Kinnard, who was the team’s primary quarterback last season, is set to move to running back.
He completed 39.5 percent of his passes for 670 yards and five TDs last season. Nick Kinnard also was second on the team in rushing with 133 yards and three TDs.
Marlon Kinnard was a big-play threat at receiver last season, averaging 25.3 yards per catch.
Defensively, the Chargers must replace A’Hearn, who led the team in tackles the last three seasons.
Jumping into a league with Bishop Gorman probably wasn’t on coach Willis’ bucket list, but he still thinks his squad can compete for a playoff spot.
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CORONADO
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: William Froman, second season (3-7)
2015 record: 3-7 (1-3 Southeast League, fourth)
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense
Top offensive players: QB Landen Rowland (Sr.); OT/TE Dru Harris (Sr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Cole Grismanauskas (Sr.); S/OLB Justin Balanga (Sr.)
Outlook: The Cougars will build around Rowland, who passed for 1,155 yards in his first season playing quarterback.
Froman said his senior signal caller has made “huge strides” from last season, and is beginning to get some looks from colleges at the FCS and Division II levels.
“He’s everything you want in a kid,” Froman said.
Froman also likes his team’s offensive line and tight ends as the Cougars will look to control the ball on offense.
“I really like our offense, they’re fantastic kids,” Froman said. “I’m not going to make any silly predictions, especially as tough a division as we play in.”
Defensively, Froman said the team should be solid up front, but there are concerns about team speed.
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DESERT OASIS
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Michael Ovens, first season
2015 record: 7-4 (2-2 Northwest League, third)
Returning lettermen: 25
Returning starters: Five offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: Eagle 3-4
Top offensive players: WR/QB Brannon Flowers (Sr.); WR Jaden Mitchell (Jr.); OG Brandon Smith (Sr.); OT Joe DelSangro (Sr.); C Nick Benham (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DT Desmond Kuresa (Sr.); ILB Jason Sanders (Sr.); DT John Munoz (Sr.); ILB Tyler Streicher (Sr.)
Key losses: ILB Ryan Knipp; TE/DE Austin Cooper; RB Ty’shun McClinton
Outlook: The Diamondbacks won the first playoff game in school history last fall, and will try to build off that positive season. But they’ll have to do it with a new coach, as Brad Talich stepped down in the offseason after just one year at the helm.
Ovens has been an assistant at Desert Oasis for the past two seasons, and inherits a club with solid experience.
Flowers, who showed tremendous athletic ability as the team’s quarterback last season, is expected to move to receiver this year. He completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 876 yards and seven TDs and also rushed for 585 yards and eight scores as a junior.
If junior Mitch Moniz can handle the quarterback position, the duo of Flowers and Mitchell (11 catches, 172 yards, 4 TDs) should be formidable.
Replacing McClinton, who rushed for 1,415 yards and 20 TDs will be a difficult task, but Smith, DelSangro and Benham give the Diamondbacks a solid foundation up front.
On defense, the Diamondbacks will need to replace leading tackler Knipp. But Sanders, who was second on the team in tackles, and Streicher, bring experience on that side of the ball.
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DURANGO
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Matt Gerber, fifth season (6-31)
2015 record: 0-9 (0-4 Southwest League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 11
Returning starters: Two offense, six defense
Base offensive set: I-Pro
Base defensive set: 5-2
Top offensive players: RB Alhaji Kamara (Sr.); WR Justise Stroy (Sr.); WR Bryon Simmons (Sr.); WR Kevin O’Neil (So.); QB Kaden Renshaw (So.)
Top defensive players: DL Venny Sandoval (Sr.); LB Brent Gray (Sr.); DB Jayson Johnson (Sr.); DB Zayvion Wilson (Sr.); DB Jacob Bourgault (Sr.); OLB Justin Williams (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trailblazers have lost 16 straight games, but that doesn’t stop Gerber from being optimistic.
Durango’s last win was a 33-25 triumph over Bonanza on Sept. 12, 2014. But the Trailblazers have plenty of winnable games on their schedule, including two to start the season.
Durango opens Aug. 25 at Valley, which has a 18-game losing streak. After a bye week, the Trailblazers face a Del Sol squad that went 1-8 last year.
A strong start could spur a young Durango team to a solid season.
Last year’s starting quarterback, Jonathan Schofield, transferred to Palo Verde, and leading rusher and receiver Leontre Austin was a senior.
Simmons, who had 14 catches for 133 yards, is the top offensive returnee. He was a second-team All-Southwest League pick last season.
Gerber thinks the defense can be the team’s strength, especially the linebackers and secondary. There’s a long way for that defense to improve, after the team allowed an average of 39.7 points last fall.
“The Blazers look to improve this year with a playoff berth and winning record being the main goals,” Gerber said.
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ELDORADO
League: Class 4A Northeast
Head coach: Robert Cutts, second season (2-7)
2015 record: 2-7 (0-4 Southeast League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 10
Returning starters: Three offense, Two defense
Base offensive set: Pistol Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Anthony Silva (Sr.); QB Jaime Rangel (Jr.); G Justin Taitano (So.); WR Andres Jimenez (Jr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Anthony Silva (Sr.); DE Uriel Garcia (Jr.); SS Lazar Bolanos (Sr.); OLB Kyle Rizzuti (Jr.)
Key losses: QB Deven Dabbs; WR/SS Shane Barnes; WR/CB Carl Crayon; CB Mike Davis
Outlook: Cutts is hopeful that the team turns the corner in his second season. He looks for more consistency on offense in the second season running his system.
The Sundevils lost most of their offensive production from last season when they managed just 96 points.
Dabbs passed for 1,096 yards and seven TDS, but was intercepted 17 times. Rangel, who attempted just one pass last season, probably will take over at quarterback as the Sundevils look to avoid the turnovers this season.
Rangel’s only pass was an 84-yard touchdown strike, but Eldorado must replace its top two receivers in Barnes (41 catches, 693 yards) and Crayon (33 catches, 402 yards).
Silva was the team’s leading rusher, but had only 125 rushing yards as the Sundevils struggled to get anything going on the ground last season (505 rushing yards).
Silva, who had 33 tackles and three sacks, is back to lead the defense.
“We had a lot of turnover, losing 16 seniors, but as a whole, we are a stronger group,” Cutts said.
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FAITH LUTHERAN
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Vernon Fox, fourth season (28-8)
2015 record: 9-2 (7-0 Division I-A Sunset League, first)
Returning lettermen: 16
Returning starters: Seven offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB/RB Christian Marshall (Sr.); WR Elijah Kothe (Jr.); OL Cameron Meredith (Sr.); OL Jaylen Flowers (Sr.); OL Jacob Searles (Sr.)
Top defensive players: CB Keegan Touchstone (So.); SS Taimani McKenzie (So.); LB Clay Shipley (Jr.)
Key losses: DL Christian Khoury; QB Brendan Joyce
Outlook: The Crusaders move up to Class 4A after winning the past three Division I-A (now Class 3A) Sunset League crowns.
Marshall gives the team a strong playmaker to build around. He was a second-team all-state pick at running back last season after leading the Crusaders in rushing (1,255 yards, 22 TDs) and receiving yards (27 catches, 471 yards, 3 TDs).
But with Joyce having graduated, Faith Lutheran may have to turn to Marshall at quarterback.
Whoever plays quarterback will have a strong go-to receiver in Kothe, who grabbed 37 passes for 451 yard and five TDs as a junior.
The defense lost several key players, including second-team all-state pick Khoury, who had 59 tackles and 7½ sacks.
Touchstone and McKenzie played key roles in the secondary as freshmen as each had four interceptions. They will need to become go-to guys on defense this season.
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FOOTHILL
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: Marty Redmond, 12th season (69-51)
2015 record: 6-4 (2-2 Southeast League, third)
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Multiple - Spread
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: WR Brandon Hargis (Sr.); OL Jackson Reynolds (Sr.); OL Austin Czarnecki (Sr.); OL Jake Broyles (Sr.); OL Austin Evers (Sr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Kealii Maruyama (Sr.); ILB Justin Dunlap; CB Marquise Jerkins (Sr.); OLB Jared Ables (Jr.); OLB Harrison Read (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Justice Jackson; WR/DB Devin Smith; QB Devon Mueller
Outlook: High school football teams often go as far as their offensive line can take them. Redmond hopes that’s the case with his squad, as the Falcons return four experienced linemen in Reynolds, Czarnecki, Broyles and Evers.
All weigh at least 240 pounds, and the group provides a solid foundation for the offense.
Replacing Jackson, who rushed for 1,442 yards and 23 TDs, will be difficult. But Hargis (28 catches, 613 yards, 6 TDs) gives the team a big-play threat.
The Falcons also return a strong corps of linebackers led by Ables, who was the team’s top tackler as a sophomore with 70.
Read (55 tackles), Dunlap (55) tackles) and Maruyama (53 tackles) also were among the team’s defensive leaders last season.
“A strong offensive line and experienced linebacking corps will anchor this year’s team,” Redmond said.
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GREEN VALLEY
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: Brian Castro, sixth season (36-18)
2015 record: 6-5 (3-1 Southeast League, second)
Returning lettermen: Nine
Returning starters: Five offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: OL Eric Brown (Jr.); WR Christian Mayberry (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DE Brock Hershberger (Sr.); LB C.J. Araujo (Sr.); DB Braxton Harms (So.); LB Eric Faber (Sr.); DL Headrick Faumuina (Sr.)
Key losses: WR Brayon Williams; RB Austin Warhop, QB A.J. Amelburu
Outlook: The Gators finished second in the Southeast last season, but the league figures to be much tougher with Sunrise champion Liberty moving over from the Northeast, along with Silverado, which was second in that league.
To make things tougher, the Gators lost some key cogs on offense, including quarterback Amelburu, who decided to focus on baseball for his senior season.
Amelburu passed for 1,934 yards and 23 TDs last season and rushed for 342 yards and six scores.
With Amelburu leaving the program and receiver Marquez Powell transferring to Liberty, the Gators lost their top passer, top three rushers and four of their top five receivers.
Mayberry is the most experienced offensive weapon, having caught 33 passes for 433 yards and four TDs last year.
Castro has strong expectations for junior quarterback Kalyja Waialae and senior receivers Logan Beard and Dakotah Beard.
Things look better on the defensive side of the ball, where leading tackler Araujo (98 tackles) and defensive end Herschberger (69 tackles, 4 sacks) return. But that unit took an unexpected hit, as well, when linebacker Chance Faitau (77 tackles) transferred to Liberty.
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LAS VEGAS
League: Class 4A Northeast
Head coach: James Thurman, sixth season (33-20)
2015 record: 6-4 (2-2 Northeast League, third)
Returning lettermen: 20
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: Odd front
Top offensive players: RB Elijah Hicks (Jr.); RB DiQuan Brown (Jr.); OL Bryan Acosta (Sr.); K Ricardo Ortega (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Cruz Littlefield (Sr.); DL Romeo Gray (Sr.); DB Eric Williams (Sr.)
Key losses: LB Josh Perez; WR/DB Zach Loveland
Outlook: The Wildcats aren’t quite the power they once were when they captured seven Sunrise Region titles in the span of eight seasons. But realignment means that the Wildcats certainly should contend for the league title.
The other four teams in the Northeast combined to go 8-29 last season, and only one of them made the postseason.
Hicks gives Las Vegas a dynamic playmaker in the backfield. He rushed for 1,001 yards and 13 TDs last season, and also caught 20 passes for 361 yards and four TDs.
Brown (298 yards, 4 TDs) is another strong rushing option. The backs will see time on the field together, but with both also playing some defense this season, a rotation will be needed to keep players fresh.
Junior Zach Matlock and senior Ronnie Broadhead both saw time at quarterback last season and Thurman said they are battling for the position again. They combined to pass for 1,752 yards and 17 TDs.
Littlefield is a playmaking linebacker who led the team with 94 tackles.
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LEGACY
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: John Isola, third season (6-14)
2015 record: 3-7 (2-2 Southwest League, third)
Returning lettermen: 17
Returning starters: Five offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Pro set
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: WR Jamal Britt (Sr.); WR A.J. Culpepper (Sr.); WR Marquell Evans (Sr.); RB Isiah Whitehead (Jr.); C Noah Jefferson (Sr.); RB Sam Turner (Sr.)
Top defensive players: CB Marcellous McCoy (Sr.); LB Jalen Alapati (Sr.): LB Amere Foster (Jr.); DE Anthony Sotello (Sr.); CB Amorey Foster (So.); SS A.J. Culpepper (Sr.); NG Noah Jefferson (Sr.); S Lamondrell Edmond (Sr.)
Key losses: RB Naim Geeslin; QB Tanoa Alapati; LT Caden Sink; DE Derriyon Shaw
Outlook: Look for the Longhorns to rely more heavily on the passing game this season with the graduation of star running back Geeslin, who rushed for 1,366 yards and 16 TDs last season in earning second-team all-state honors.
Culpepper (16 catches, 233 yards) was the team’s top receiver and is back along with big-play threats Britt and Evans.
Whitehead, who ran for 550 yards and six scores, should get a crack at being the team’s featured back. Expect Turner, who averaged 13.1 yards per carry in limited action last season, to get plenty of touches, too.
Jefferson, a first-team all-Southwest League center, will anchor the line.
Isola is excited about the defense, where all-league players Amere Foster, Jalen Alapati, Britt (cornerback) and Sotelo return.
Isola said the team is young, but “very fast,” and hopes to make the playoffs.
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LIBERTY
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: Rich Muraco, eighth season (72-19)
2015 record: 11-2 (4-0 Northeast League, first)
Returning lettermen: 35
Returning starters: Six offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: WR/RB Ethan Dedeaux (Sr.); WR Darion Acohido (Sr.); QB Kenyon Oblad (Jr.); WR Marquez Powell (Jr.); OL Malasala Aumavae-Laulu (Sr.); OL Will Brewer (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DT Chris Lappin (Jr.); S Alam Mwata (Jr.); LB Dariyen Sample (Sr.); CB Dom Turner (Sr.)
Key losses: FB/DT Alofnia Tevaseu; C Alex Epstein; WR/DB Bryan Roland; RB Stephon Stowers
Outlook: The Patriots have become the power of the valley’s east side, having won the last six Sunrise Region crowns.
Liberty has won five league titles since 2010, and twice has advanced to the state championship game, including last season when the Patriots lost 62-21 to Bishop Gorman.
Liberty generally shows multiple formations, from spread to a two tight end, three running back set.
But with the talent the team has at receiver and quarterback, the Patriots may not look to pound the ball as much this season.
Dedeaux is a dynamic playmaker who has committed to play at San Diego State. He caught 37 passes for 809 yards and 11 TDS, and also rushed for 237 yards and four scores last season.
Acohido also put up big numbers last season, catching a team-high 57 balls for 824 yards and six TDs. They’re joined by Green Valley transfer Powell (46 catches, 593 yards, 8 TDs), giving quarterback Oblad plenty of options.
Oblad is back for a third season at quarterback, and he showed big improvements as a sophomore. He completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 3,106 yards and 34 TDs.
The massive Aumavae-Laulu should offer protection in the passing game and also can open up huge holes for running backs.
The team must replace Stowers, who led the Patriots with 847 rushing yards and 10 TDs. But he didn’t take over as the team’s featured back until well into the season, and the Patriots never skipped a beat as various backs took their turn.
The defense lost some key cogs, but even if Liberty has trouble on that side of the ball, the offense should be enough to push for another region crown.
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PALO VERDE
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Joe Aznarez, second season (4-6)
2015 record: 4-6 (3-1 Southwest League, second)
Returning lettermen: 25
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Double wing, ace
Base defensive set: 4-3, 5-2
Top offensive players: TE Tyler Thornton (Sr.); QB Johnathan Schofield (Sr.); OL Hunter Winstead (Sr.); RB Chamere Thomas (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Max Miller-Hooks (Sr.); LB Bobby Webster (Sr.); DE Robert Sharp (Sr.); LB Daniel Bellinger (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Chris Bell; DE Kameron Toomer
Outlook: The Panthers struggled a bit in Aznarez’s first season, but managed to finish second in the Southwest and earn a home playoff game.
Now, Palo Verde shifts to the Northwest League and will have to fight off Arbor View and Centennial to contend for a title.
Thornton is a strong tight end, who led the Panthers with 10 receptions for 170 yards last season. Schofield transferred from Durango and will take over at quarterback. The Panthers must replace leading rusher Bell (720 yards, 6 TDs), but should get immediate help from players moving up from a strong junior varsity team.
Miller-Hooks (20 tackles), Webster (23 tackles) return, and should combine with newcomer Bellinger to form a solid linebacking corps.
Sharp had 34 tackles last season, and will lead the linemen.
Aznarez expects the team to compete for a league title and advance past the opening round of the playoffs.
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RANCHO
League: Class 4A Northeast
Head coach: Stan Davis, first season
2015 record: 3-6 (Independent)
Returning lettermen: Nine
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pro set
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Angel Walker (Sr.); OG Gabriel Dorantes (Sr.)
Top defensive players: MLB Jordan Betts (Sr.); S Eddie Samano (Sr.)
Outlook: Davis takes over for Tom Pletsch, who won three games in his lone season. The Rams had lost 30 in a row prior to a 34-14 victory over Valley.
Davis said the team is trying to replace the leadership of its graduated seniors.
Rancho played an independent schedule last season, but jumps back into the state’s largest classification this year. But the Northeast League isn’t a terrible spot to break in. Among the league’s five teams, only Las Vegas High won more than three games last season.
Davis hopes the team can battle this season, but his eye still is on building the program for the future.
“The kids will be competitive this year, but it’s still a long way to go,” Davis said. “We’ve still got a long way to go as far as the culture, the numbers. It’s going to take a minute. When you’re building a program like Rancho from the ground up, it’s a three-, four-year project.”
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SHADOW RIDGE
League: Class 4A Northwest
Head coach: Travis Foster, second season (1-9)
2015 record: 1-9 (1-3 Southwest League, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 28
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Flexbone
Base defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: RB Aubrey Nellems (Jr.); QB Kody Presser (So.)
Top defensive players: DE Byron Kekahuna (Sr.); DT Ricky Tuiletufuga (Jr.); LB Aubrey Nellems (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Dominick Wilson; SS Avery Nellems
Outlook: The Mustangs squeaked into the playoffs last season thanks to a victory over winless Durango to secure the Southwest League’s final playoff berth.
It looks like it will be tougher for the Mustangs to make the postseason in the newly realigned Northwest League.
Aubrey Nellems figures to be the team’s top offensive player. He rushed for 370 yards and three TDs as a sophomore, and was tied for the team lead with 13 receptions.
Few high school freshmen see time at the varsity level, especially at a key position like quarterback. But Presser got quality time at quarterback last season, leading the Mustangs with 500 passing yards and four touchdowns.
A year of experience should help the quarterback, although the graduation of top offensive threat Wilson (751 rushing yards, 8 TDs) will hurt.
Aubrey Nellems led the Mustangs in tackles last season with 73, and returns to key a defense that struggled last season. Shadow Ridge allowed 50 or more points four times in 2015.
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SIERRA VISTA
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: John Foss, fourth season (12-18)
2015 record: 3-7 (3-4 Division I-A Sunset League, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 13
Returning starters: Seven offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Pistol wing
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: QB Oscar Aliaga (Sr.); RB Lopaka Kolone (Sr.); WB Damean Bentley (Sr.); RB Isaiah Zavala (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Lopaka Kolone (Sr.); DE Uastine Asuncion (Sr.); LB Chevy Eliu (Sr.); FS Jaxson Zibert (Jr.); LB Shane Alcantra (Sr.)
Key losses: RB Daniel Godfrey; DL Jordan Lampkin
Outlook: Aliaga got the chance to throw the ball a bit more last season and passed for 1,135 yards and nine TDs. He could be leaned on even more this season with the graduation of leading rusher Godfrey (750 yards, 7 TDs).
Kolone is the top returning rusher. He ran for 466 yards and three TDs last season and averaged 9.7 yards per carry.
Kolone also was the team’s leading tackler with 53 last season, and he also had three sacks.
Making the jump to Class 4A could be difficult, but outside of Bishop Gorman only one school in the Southwest League had a winning record last season. That was Spring Valley, and the Grizzlies were playing with Sierra Vista in Division I-A.
That could be the reason Foss said his expectations are “to compete for a playoff spot and win a playoff game.”
— —
SILVERADO
League: Class 4A Southeast
Head coach: Randall Cunningham, second season (7-4)
2015 record: 7-4 (3-1 Northeast League, second)
Returning starters: Eight
Base offensive set: Pro style
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: OL Ryan Scoggins (Sr.); RB Keikiokalani Misipeka (Sr.)
Top defensive players: MLB Jordan Walker (Sr.); LB Pekelo Solomon (Sr.); DE Von White (So.)
Key losses: WR/DB Devion Clayton; S/LB Jeremiah Pritchard
Outlook: The Skyhawks don’t return a ton of players, but several transfers from around the valley should help fill holes.
Misipeka, who led Silverado with 526 rushing yards and 10 TDs, should be helped by a big offensive line. Scoggins, who did not play on the varsity last season after transferring from Bishop Gorman, should key the group on the line.
Walker, who moved in from Hawaii, will key the defense from his linebacker spot along with returnee Solomon.
Expectations are high for defensive end White, who is in his first varsity season.
Replacing all-state players Clayton and Pritchard will be difficult, but the Skyhawks still should be in the playoff mix in the tough Southeast League.
— —
SPRING VALLEY
League: Class 4A Southwest
Head coach: Marcus Teal, seventh season (25-31)
2015 record: 5-4 (3-4 Division I-A Sunset League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: 11
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Multiple set/Pistol Spread
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: QB K.C. Moore (Sr.); OL Nathan Hunt (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DB Tavion Smith (Sr.); FS Spencer Johnson (Sr.); DL Joseph Pienta (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/LB Raheem Edmonds; ATH Marcus Dawson; OL/DL Taevion Jacobs; WR Antony Vazquez; OL Cesar Colin; OLB Sal Everett; LB Dustin Kekahuna-Kahue; RB Reece Bennett
Outlook: The Grizzlies are another team set to make the jump back into the state’s largest classification.
Spring Valley narrowly missed the playoffs in Division I-A (now Class 3A) last season, but the Southwest League should be wide open after Bishop Gorman, giving the Grizzlies a shot at the postseason.
Moore will be a key piece of the puzzle. He passed for 1,430 yards and 12 TDs as a junior, and will be counted on to carry a big offensive load.
He has an experienced offensive line in front of him led by the 320-pound Hunt.
Pienta, who had eight sacks last season, should key the defense.
“With experience back on the offensive line, returning their quarterback, returning five starters on defense and an infusion of young talent, the Grizzlies will look to be competitive in their return to the 4A classification,” Teal said.
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VALLEY
League: Class 4A Northeast
Head coach: George Baker, second season (0-9)
2015 record: 0-9 (0-4 Northeast League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: Nine
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pistol Spread
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: WR Iyen Medlock (Sr.); QB Sonny Gibson (Sr.); WR Preston Kelley (Sr.); WR Leeland Crawford (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Gustavo Gomez (Sr.); DL Anias Brewington (Jr.); OLB Jeffery Maestas (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/LB Seth Miranda; WR/DB Jaesion Flores
Outlook: The Vikings have lost 18 consecutive games, but Baker is hopeful the team will be more competitive in his second season.
Baker said that “developing depth is a key that must be addressed to carry us through the conference schedule.”
Medlock makes the move from quarterback to receiver, and should be the team’s top offensive weapon. He led the team in rushing with 422 yards and four TDs last season, and had a hand in most of the team’s scoring. The Vikings had just 70 points, with Medlock scoring 32 and also throwing four TD passes.
Baker said the defense features a hard-nosed defensive line, but the Vikings have a long way to go on that side of the ball, as well. Valley allowed 50 or more points five times last season, including 84 against Legacy. Opponents scored at least 32 points in each game.
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CLASS 3A
BOULDER CITY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Chris Morelli, second season (1-8)
2015 record: 1-8 (0-6 Sunrise League, seventh)
Returning lettermen: 16
Returning starters: Seven offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Spread (last year- wing-t)
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: OT Craig Kelso (Sr.), QB Taylor Hatchel (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DT Craig Kelso (Sr.), S Taylor Hatchel (Sr.)
Outlook: The issue with Boulder City’s football team has often been numbers. In a school of just 580 students, this year’s squad expects to have just 25 players on its varsity team. Swamped in a tough league, head coach Chris Morelli will shake things up to a spread offense this year after going with a Wing-T in 2015.
Seven offensive starters from last year’s team will be back, as will seven defensive starters. That’s not a coincidence. They’re the same players. Because of the numbers crunch, nearly everyone plays both sides of the ball. It’s a small group but they are athletic; many are on the wrestling team during the offseason and two already have committed to play college football.
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CHAPARRAL
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Paul Nihipali, third season (14-8)
2015 record: 9-3 (5-1 Sunrise League, second)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: OL Kalani Lealeo (Jr.), RB Jacob Ford (Sr.), WR Kentrell Petite (Sr.)
Top defensive players: C/DT Jose Bravo (Sr.), DE Jesus Fernandez (Sr.), S Tayray Collins (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/LB Richard Nelson, WR/DB Casey Acosta, WR Antwain Allen
Outlook: The runner-up in last year’s Sunrise League, you could get good odds on Chaparral to make the leap to winning it this season. Defending league champ Moapa Valley was decimated to graduation, and Desert Pines switched to the Sunset League, so the Cowboys have enough returning talent to make a run for the crown.
It’s going to be tough beat Chaparral in the trenches, as the Cowboys return two key players to last year’s offense: Bravo and Fernandez. Tayray Collins, a safety patrolling the secondary, stepped his game to a new level as a sophomore is poised for a strong year.
The passing game may be the biggest question on the offense, graduating a combined 676 receiving yards and eight touchdowns between Acosta and Allen. Chaparral does return last year’s receiving leader in Petite, but will have a new quarterback throwing to him. Santi Bialtando will take over under center after not playing on varsity last year.
As with any team, it will take some 2015 junior varsity players stepping up, but the time may be right for the Cowboys to challenge for a league title.
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CHEYENNE
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: David Cochran, seventh season (32-29)
2015 record: 7-3 (6-1 Sunset League, second)
Returning lettermen: 14
Returning starters: Nine offense, Six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-2-5
Top offensive players: WR Corwin Bush (Sr.), WR William Federson (Sr.), RB Deriontae Green (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB John Tarver (Sr.), DB Cameron Myles (Sr.), LB Cajuin Jackson (Sr.)
Key losses: FB/LB George Carmona, WR/DB Ashton Lawson
Outlook: Expectations are understandably high for a Cheyenne team that finished second in 2015 to a school (Faith Lutheran) which moved to a different league. Without a defending champion in the Sunset League, the Desert Shields feel it’s their time to take the reigns, and coach David Cochran said the goal is more than that – it’s to be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
The biggest name to watch will be whoever ends up as the feature back, as he will need to fill the void left by graduated senior David Walker and his 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bush ran 30 times last year for nearly eight yards per rush, but watch for Green who could step up and assume the role.
Under center Matthew LaBonte is the only returning player who threw a pass last year, but the Cheyenne offense is not overly reliant on a deep-ball signal caller. Last year’s starter averaged just 131 yards per game passing. LaBonte will be asked to move the ball around and set up a the team’s spread offense.
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DEL SOL
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Gary Maki, fourth season (7-20)
2015 record: 1-8 (1-5 Sunrise League, sixth)
Returning lettermen: 9
Returning starters: 3 offense, 5 defense
Base offensive set: Double Wing
Base defensive set: 3-5-3 Odd
Top offensive players: WR Jonathan Spearman (Sr.), RB Taariq Flowers (Jr.)
Top defensive players: CB Darrion Jones (Jr.), CB Jason Hoyer (Jr.), DB Barry Williams (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/CB Cordell Bowie, RB/DB Nate Bryan
Outlook: The key to Del Sol’s season is forgetting that last year happened. The Dragons will rely on a young core to try to get them into the playoffs. With Desert Pines and Sunrise Mountain — two of last season’s Sunrise Region playoff teams — moving tot he Sunset, a postseason berth is not out of the question if the Dragons stay healthy and focused.
Del Sol will have to lean heavily on some newcomers. Maaliq Flowers, a freshman, could be the quarterback for this year’s Dragons’ squad and the team will have to pluck more than a few players from last year’s freshman class.
— —
DESERT PINES
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Tico Rodriguez, fourth season (30-5)
2015 record: 8-3 (4-2 Sunrise League, third place)
Returning lettermen: 25
Returning starters: 14 offense, 7 defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Marckell Grayson (Sr.), RB Isaiah Morris (Sr.), WR Randal Grimes (Sr.)
Top defensive players: OLB Tony Fields (Sr.), MLB Jautae Collins (Sr.), DE Jalen Graves (Sr.)
Key losses: LB Vasa Hansell, DE Anthony Smith, OT Sam Poutasi
Outlook: Moving over from the Sunset to Sunrise League this season, Desert Pines is a threat to win the league. A perennial powerhouse, the Jaguars return a core that has the makings of a state title contender.
On offense Grayson threw for 1,798 yards and 21 touchdowns. Morris had 1,461 yards on the ground with 19 touchdowns. They are both back as well as most of the other skill players. Losing Poutasi on the line hurts, but graduation hurts every team in the state.
Even with Poutasi’s departure, the offensive line is monstrous, and includes a pair of players who already have committed to Division Ischools in Edgar Burrola (Arizona) and Poutasi Poutasi (Louisville).
Fields also has committed to play at Arizona and leads the defense.
It’s an experienced team with top-notch playmakers which leads to a school with high expectations going into 2016. Desert Pines could beone of the most exciting teams to watch in any classification this year.
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MOAPA VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Brent Lewis, 15th season (128-42)
2015 record: 11-2 (6-0 Sunrise League, first)
Returning lettermen: 10
Returning starters: 1 offense, 4 defense
Base offensive set: Wing T
Base defensive set: 4-4-1
Top offensive players: FB Dalyn Leavitt (Sr.), WR Dayton Wolfley (Sr.), RB Jacob Leavitt (Sr.), QB Daxton Longman (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Dalyn Leavitt (Sr.), DT Larson Love (Sr.)
Key losses: WR/CB R.J. Hubert, QB/DE Nate Cox, OT/DT Garrett Rose
Outlook: Expectations are high for the Pirates, despite returning just one offensive starter. A perennial postseason contender, Moapa Valley will have to turn to a brand new offense including a quarterback who was on the junior varsity squad last year. The Pirates do return their team leader in tackles, and defense has a little bit more stability, returning four starters.
Even with a young team, it’s hard to bet against Moapa Valley. The Pirates have not had a losing record since 2005, the second year under coach Brent Lewis. They went undefeated in 2014 and last year’s senior class graduated with a career record of 48-5. Look for Moapa Valley to be in the thick of the state title discussion once again.
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MOJAVE
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Abraham Gonzalez, first season (0-0)
2015 record: 6-4 (5-2 Sunset League, third)
Returning lettermen: 20
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Khalid Walker (Sr.), WR Taiwan Braden (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Blake Fitzgerald (Sr.), LB Khalid Walker (Sr.)
Key losses: QB/S Lamaja Cunningham, MLB Kaleb Friedman, DE Kyle Reynolds
Outlook: New head coach Abraham Gonzalez inherits a squad that returns more than half its starters on both sides of the ball, but will have to find a new signal caller. It’s an experienced group who will look to build off a third-place league finish last season.
Like a lot of football teams at any level, finding a quarterback will be key to run Gonzalez’s spread offense. Last year’s quarterback rushed the fourth-most times of any player, and if junior quarterback Kyle McMillan can fill that role, it could make a deadly one-two bunch in the backfield with returning top rusher Khalid Walker.
— —
PAHRUMP VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Joe Clayton, first season (took 2015 off, was 9-19 in previous three seasons)
2015 record: 3-6 (2-5 Sunset League, seventh place)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Jet offense
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Parker Hart (Sr.), FB Case Murphy (Sr.), G Jeremy Albertson (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DE Garrett Monje (Sr.), CB Jesse Dillon (Sr.), LB Riley Sutton (Sr.)
Key losses: QB T.J. Milk, FB Tom Gascoigne,
Outlook: Clayton returns as coach after taking off the 2015 season. He was 9-19 in the three previous seasons as coach.
A team that has historically needed to dip into its sophomore class more often than others, the Trojans return just 12 varsity players from last year’s squad and will look to do the same this season. Last season had four sophomores see time, including guard Jeremy Albertson who turned into a key cog for Pahrump Valley.
The Trojans are tight-knit group of players who need to make sure their offseason workout time is used as efficiently as possible. Like many smaller schools, the numbers on the team are too little to have the luxury of hoping for a new class of all-state players every year.
— —
SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: Chris Sawyers, third season (7-12)
2015 record: 6-4 (3-3 Sunrise League, fourth) Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Nine offense, eight defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: QB Stephen Wright (Sr.), RB Claude Moore (Sr.), WR Daltyn Pytrysson (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Dalwin Spates (Jr.), DL Pooky Farmer (Sr.), DB Dante Calahan (Sr.)
Key losses:
Outlook: The Miners are in the enviable position of returning nearly every starter on both sides of the ball. Sunrise Mountain switches to the Sunset League with realignment, and 2016 could be the time for the Miners to pounce and make a playoff run.
Quarterback Stephen Wright and running backs Claude Moore and Trayvon Ward return their combined 22 rushing touchdowns to go along with Wright’s 11 passing TDs. Sophomore wideout Xavier Kyles could be a star in the making, after leading the team with 28 receptions, 439 yards and four touchdowns during a great freshman season. Expectations are justifiably high for this year’s Sunrise Mountain team.
— —
VIRGIN VALLEY
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Yori Ludvigson, third season (8-10)
2015 record: 4-5 (2-4 Sunrise League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: Nine
Returning starters: Two offense, one defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Hogan Fowles (Sr.), WR Jarrett Tietjen (Sr.), RB Jayden Perkins (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DL Jayden Dalton (Sr.), DL Chase Henderson (Sr.), LB Jayden Perkins (Jr.)
Key losses: Entire offensive line
Outlook: Virgin Valley not only lost its top three rushers from last season, but will also need to replace the entire front five that protected them. The Bulldogs run into a tough schedule and despite losing 19 of 22 starters to graduation, coach Yori Ludvigson believes in the core the team will put onto the field.
Quarterback Hogan Fowles is back, but Virgin Valley’s pistol set is more conducive the ground game than the aerial attack. Of the offense’s 32 touchdowns last year, 29 were rushing, so the biggest question mark for the Bulldogs is who will carry the load with running backs Kai Mitchell, Cody Jones and Josh Bishop (who combined for 18 touchdowns) all graduated.
— —
WESTERN
League: Class 3A Sunset
Head coach: John Norton, second season (0-9)
2015 record: 0-9 (0-7 Sunset League, seventh)
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning starters: Three offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Multiple Pro
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Roger Harrison (Sr.), TE Bishop Harris, OL Eric Barragan (Sr.), TE Sha’Run Oliver (Sr.)
Top defensive players: S Anthony Shelby (Sr.), LB Eric Hughes (So.)
Key losses: OL Maurese Williams, WR Nasir Mhina
Outlook: Head coach John Norton will look to make his second season at the helm of the Warriors more successful than his first.
Still looking for his first win, Norton will turn to a group of 12 returning lettermen to help lead a younger Western team.
— —
CLASS 2A
AGASSI PREP
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Keith Jones, first season
2015 record: 6-3 (5-3 Division III Southern League, fifth)
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: Xavier Hewing (Sr.), Steven Burgess (So.), Zeivaun Ned (Sr.)
Top defensive players: Sakenion Clayton (Jr.), Torian Ross (Jr.), Quinlan Coltrain (So.)
Key losses: Kameron Burrell, Oziah Manor, Stephan Laushaul, Nicholas Smith
Outlook: Agassi Prep just missed out on the playoffs last year and will be breaking in a new head coach in Jones this season.
The Stars, who finished 6-3 overall last season, must find a way to match the production of Burrell and Laushaul, who were two of the team’s top leaders and playmakers.
Look for the Stars to be competitive in league play.
“This is a new and exciting season for us as we look forward to being a very competitive team,” Jones said. “We expect to compete at a high level in all three phases of the game. It will be a learning process for us all, but the goals are always the same; stay focused academically and play hard on the field.”
— —
LAKE MEAD
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Kerry Johnson, second season
2015 record: 3-6 (2-6 Division III Southern League, sixth)
Returning lettermen: 16
Returning starters: Nine offense, 10 defense
Base offensive set: Dogbone
Base defensive set: Various
Top offensive players: RB Jared Regan (Jr.), QB Marcus Gonzales (Jr.)
Top defensive players: MLB Logan Sullivan (Jr.), FS Noah Tassi (Sr.)
Key losses: DT Jake Bryan
Outlook: Lake Mead, which finished sixth in the Division III Southern League last season, should compete for a playoff spot in the newly-named Class 2A.
The Eagles will rely heavily on Regan, who accumulated 602 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 93 carries last season. The standout running back will lead the offense, while Sullivan (79 tackles, three tackles for loss) anchors the defense.
“With some luck and and no major injuries, Lake Mead could contend for the third or fourth playoff spot,” Johnson said.
Gonzales, who started on defense last season, will be in his first year at quarterback, and Lake Mead also must replace the production of graduated defensive tackle Jake Bryan. But the Eagles also return Tassi, who had five interceptions last year.
“A lot will depend on what kind of year Regan has,” Johnson said. “He carried the ball 93 times last year for a little over 600 yards. He will probably have 200 carries this year.”
— —
LAUGHLIN
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Walt Hemingway, second season
2015 record: 1-8 (1-7 Division III Southern League, seventh)
Returning lettermen: Seven
Returning starters: Seven offense, Seven defense
Base offensive set: Wing
Base defensive set: 4-4-3
Top offensive players: RB Cody Abatti (Sr.), QB Andrew Braaksma (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Coda Abatti (Sr.)
Key losses: C Andrew Estes
Outlook: The Cougars have gone 1-17 the past two seasons, but Hemingway hopes to turn things around in his second year.
Laughlin will lean on Abatti, who is the team captain, on both sides of the ball.
“We’re hoping to get better every day and be consistent,” Hemingway said.
— —
LINCOLN COUNTY
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Rich Ottley, 17th season
2015 record: 11-2 (7-1 Division III Southern League, first)
Returning lettermen: 10
Returning starters: Nine offense, eight defense
Base offensive set: Hybrid Wing-T
Base defensive set: 3-5
Top offensive players: QB Cody Thornock (Sr.), TE Zach Florence (Sr.), RB Derek Mathews (Sr.), WR Landon Smith (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB McKinley O’Connor (So.), SS Cody Thornock (Sr.), DB Landon Smith (Jr.), LB Zach Rowe (Sr.)
Key losses: QB/DB McClain O’Connor, OL/DE Russ Alfano, RB/LB Will Culverwell
Outlook: Most of the same team that went undefeated in league play and made the state title game will be returning, and it’s not a stretch to say Lincoln County expects more of the same.
An experienced offensive line will help new quarterback Thornock.
The hopes are high for the Lynx in 2016.
“We are hoping our returning experience at offensive line will help guide our team to the playoffs in this competitive league,” Ottley said.
— —
THE MEADOWS
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Rod Vollan, second season
2015 record: 6-5 (5-3 Division III Southern League, fourth)
Returning lettermen: 14
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Single back
Base defensive set: 50
Top offensive players: QB Jack Berkley (Sr.), RB Adam Martinez (Sr.), C Connor Bucknam (Sr.), OT Dominic Pallares (Sr.)
Top defensive players: SS Brock Prince (Jr.), OLB Antonio Gutierrez (Sr.), ILB Connor Bucknam (Sr.)
Key losses: LB/WR Max Hisatake, WR Ethan Fridman, DL Keanush Tafreshi, DL Thayne Carlson
Outlook: The Mustangs have made the playoffs the past three seasons and should be in contention for another berth this year.
Berkley, who passed for 635 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 459 yards and eight TDs, is back at quarterback and will be nicely protected by Bucknam and Pallares. Martinez also should eclipse his 535 rushing yards from a season ago.
Gutierrez, who averaged 4 1/2 tackles per game last season, will anchor the defense from the linebacker position.
“As a result of quality offseason training, the Mustangs are optimistically looking forward to the upcoming football season,” Vollan said. “The returning starters have to set the example in practice and buy time during regular season games for the new players to improve and develop to a varsity-level standard.”
— —
MOUNTAIN VIEW
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Ray LeBoeuf, ninth season
2015 record: 3-7 (3-5 Division III Southern League, fifth)
Returning lettermen: Six
Returning starters: Four offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: QB Tyrell Brooks (Jr.), WR Terrence Brooks (Jr.), C Bryce Bowman (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DL Bryce Bowman (Sr.), LB Isiah Johnson (Sr.), DL Nathan Santiago (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Bernard Williams, LB Adam Stacey
Outlook: The Saints haven’t made the playoffs since 2013, and have been hit hard with low participation numbers the past few seasons.
Mountain View has a core of talented players, but will need to stay healthy and conditioned.
Twin brothers Tyrell and Terrence Brooks are back to lead the offense. The pair will make up one of the toughest one-two punches in the Class 2A Southern League.
“We have a solid core of players, yet much like last season we need some depth and to remain healthy,” LeBoeuf said.
— —
NEEDLES
League: Class 2A Southern
Head coach: Matt Fromelt
2015 record: 9-2 (7-1 Division III Southern League, second)
Returning lettermen: Five
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Top offensive players: RB Derek Wagstaff (Sr.), RB Frankie Garcia (Sr.), QB Jayden Yeager (Jr.)
Top defensive players: MLB Mario Rabanales (Jr.), DT Dylan Hetrick (Sr.), DL Adam Jenkins (Sr.), CB Derek Wagstaff (Sr.), LB Frankie Garcia (Sr.)
Key losses: WR/DE Trenton Poe-Evans
Outlook: The Mustangs lost to Yerington in the Division III state semifinals last season, but should be back near the top this season.
Wagstaff, who rushed for 1,242 yards and and 17 touchdowns, will be one of the Class 2A Southern League’s top two-way players for his senior season.
Rabanales led the team with 68 tackles a season ago and also is back.
“I think we should be pretty competitive,” Fromelt said. “Our strengths should be just overall running the ball. I think we have good running backs. Defensively, we should have pretty good team speed.”
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CLASS 1A
BEAVER DAM
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Rory Hurley, sixth season
2015 record: 5-4 (3-4 Division IV Southern League, place)
Returning lettermen: Six
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 33 stacked
Top offensive players: QB Uriel Perez (Sr.), RB Tanner Reber (So.)
Top defensive players: LB Manny Vilareal (Jr.)
Key losses: RB Luiz Gonzalez
Outlook: A year after narrowly missing out on the playoffs, the Diamondbacks have turned to “rebuild mode.”
Beaver Dam must replace the do-it-all Gonzalez, but return Perez and Reber on the offensive side of the ball.
“Out of my 21 players, 15 have never played the game before,” Hurley said. “So we’re definitely scratching. We have potential, but the best way to describe us is rebuild. They’re young, but if they work hard, they have potential. There are just a lot of unknowns.”
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PAHRANAGAT VALLEY
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Ken Higbee, 22nd season
2015 record: 12-0 (7-0 Division IV Southern League, first)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Pro style
Base defensive set: 3-3-2
Top offensive players: QB Tabor Maxwell (Sr.), RB Christian Higbee (Sr.), TE Cody Williams (Sr.), RB Ike Taylor (Sr.), TE Culen Highbe (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DL Garrett Higbee (Jr.). LB Christian Higbee (Sr.), LB Williams (Sr.), DE Daved Wilson (Sr.), DE Tyson Jorgensen (Sr.), CB Taylor (Sr.)
Key losses: TE/LB Shawn Wadsworth, OL/DL Mateo Linares, OL/DB Cody Stirling, TE/DE Jacob Roemer
Outlook: The team’s winning streak is alive at 93 games, and the Panthers are again in position to keep that winning mentality.
Maxwell, who passed for 2,766 yards and 45 touchdowns last season, is back at quarterback for the fourth consecutive year. He should again be one of the league’s top players, but will have to find a new favorite target as Wadsworth has graduated.
Garrett Higbee, who finished with 73 tackles last season, will anchor the defense from the line.
“The team will look for senior leadership,” Ken Higbee said. “Tabor Maxwell continues at the helm of an offense he has led since starting as a freshman, (and last season’s) Defensive Player of the Year Garrett Higbee returns and is a year older and stronger.”
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SPRING MOUNTAIN
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Aaron Masden, ninth season (57-26)
2015 record: 8-3 (6-1 Division IV Southern League, second)
Returning lettermen: One
Returning starters: Zero offense, one defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3-2
Key losses: QB/DE Diquan Spiller, S/TE D’Quan Porchia, LB/RB Deonze Paster
Outlook: Spring Mountain has made the playoffs the past seven seasons and this year should be no different.
The Golden Eagles return only one starter on defense, but always bring in speed and talent on both sides of the ball.
Spring Mountain must replace Spiller, who was one of the league’s top dual-threat QBs, and Paster, who led the team in scoring and tackles.
But look for this year’s Golden Eagles to compete until the end.
“The outlook for the 2016 Golden Eagles football team is positive despite returning only one player from (last season’s) state semifinal team,” Masden said. “Spring Mountain is used to this turnover and enjoys the challenge of constantly rebuilding and competing. This year’s team will have plenty of usual speed and looks to bring physicality in all areas.”
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TONOPAH
League: Class 1A Southern
Head coach: Duffy Otteson, eighth season
2015 record: 7-3 (5-2 Division IV Southern League, third)
Returning lettermen: 15
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Single wing
Base defensive set: 4-2
Top offensive players: QB Tanner Otteson (Sr.), RB Kade Bunker (Jr.), RB Vinny Bagarose (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Brendan Eason (Sr.), DL Jordon Berkowitz (Sr.)
Key losses: OL/DL Kekoa Elliott, RB/DB Scotty May, WR Tristan Otteson
Outlook: The Muckers, who secured the No. 3 seed in the playoffs last season, should again finish near the top of their league.
Tonopah returns 15 lettermen, including five starters on each side of the ball, and will have 32 players in total for eight-man football.
Tanner Otteson, who threw for 1,773 yards and 24 touchdowns, is back and will be one of league’s top offensive threats. He must find replacements, however, for May and Tristan Otteson, who were his favorite targets but have since graduated.
Eason, who led the team with 107 tackles last season, will lead the defense.
“It’ll be one of the best teams in my eight years, for sure,” Otteson said. “They’ve all been playing football together since Pop Warner, so they’re smart. Our strong suit will be throwing the ball.”
