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2018 Moapa Valley Football Capsule

MOAPA VALLEY

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Brent Lewis, 17th season (151-43)

2017 record: 6-3 (2-1 Sunrise, second)

Returning lettermen: 23

Returning starters: Eight offense, nine defense

Base offensive set: Wing T

Base defensive set: 4-4

Top offensive players: QB Luke Bennett (Sr.); RB Braeden St. John (Sr.); RB Tristan Lehman (Jr.); RB Hayden Redd (Jr.); TE Derek Reese (Sr.)

Top defensive players: OLB Derek Reese (Sr.); MLB Leo Rios (Sr.); MLB Coby Longman (Sr.); DT Jesse Robison (Sr.); DE Hayden Redd (Sr.)

Top newcomer: RB/DE James Lake (Sr.)

Key losses: QB Daxton Longman; RB Logan Jackson; C Tyler Holmes

Outlook: The Pirates have finished second in the Sunrise the last two seasons, and will look to make a run for the top spot this season.

Prior to 2016, the Pirates had won eight consecutive league titles, and with plenty of experience back, have a good shot to get back to the top.

“We return almost everyone on both sides of the ball,” Lewis said. “We expect to challenge for a region title, and more importantly, a state championship.”

On offense, the Pirates must replace Longman at quarterback, but Bennett got plenty of time as a junior. His 59.4 percent completion percentage was better than Longman’s, and Bennett passed for 530 yards and four TDs.

Jackson, who rushed for 559 yards and seven TDs, also is gone, but there is plenty of other experience in the backfield led by Redd (579 rushing yards, 5 TDs). St. John (353 rushing yards, four TDs) and Lehman (224 rushing yards, three TDs) also return. Redd made the Class 3A All-Southern Nevada second team.

Rose, who had 30 catches for 685 yards and six TDs, is back at tight end and should be Bennett’s top target.

Rios is back to key the defense after recording 109 tackles and earning second-team All-Southern Nevada honors.

Robison (50 tackles, three sacks) also was a second-team All-Southern Nevada pick.

“We are big and physical with more depth than we have had in a long time,” Lewis said. “We expect great things.”

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