VIRGIN VALLEY
Coach: Chris Sawyers, first season
2011 record: 5-5 (1-1 3A Southern)
Returning starters: Six offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Dee Bowler (Jr.); TE Dillon Graves (Jr.); WR Tanner Killmer (Sr.); QB Cristian Aguirre (Sr.); QB Garrett Leavitt (Jr.); OL Jared Walther (Sr.); OL Adam Henderson (Jr.); WR Tyson Teerlink (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Dee Bowler (Jr.); S Dillon Graves (Jr.); DE Tanner Killmer (Sr.); DB Cristian Aguirre (Sr.); DB Garrett Leavitt (Sr.); DL Jared Walther (Sr.); DL Adam Henderson (Jr.); LB Tyson Teerlink (Sr.); DE Chris Erickson (Jr.)
Key losses: QB/DB Humberto Urias; TE/LB Nolan Tanner; OL/DL Kasdan Felshaw
Outlook: Little is familiar for the Bulldogs, who have a new coach (Sawyers), a new offense (spread), new quarterbacks and a new league (Division I-A Sunrise).
Sawyers, a former Las Vegas High assistant, replaces Kirk Hafen, who resigned after 21 years at the helm. Hafen had a 166-66 record, including a Class 3A state championship in 2006 and a 2A state title in 1994.
“Everybody’s excited. It’s been a learning process for everybody,” Sawyers said.
Aguirre and Leavitt are both likely to get snaps early as the Bulldogs try to replace graduated quarterback Urias, who was named 3A Southern League Offensive Player of the Year last season.
