Moapa Valley and SLAM Academy look like two of the favorites in Class 3A, but defending 2A state champion The Meadows is moving up to provide a potential challenge.
The Meadows became the first Southern Nevada team to win the Class 2A football title since 2009 when the Mustangs earned their second of back-to-back championships.
The Meadows enters Friday’s game at Democracy Prep (2-2, 2-1 Southern League) with a 6-0 record (3-0 league) and has outscored its opponents 300-57.
Shadow Ridge hosts Coronado, which beat the Mustangs last season. A victory would mean even more as the playoffs approach.
The Meadows’ Sean Gosse won state titles in basketball and baseball as a junior, but the loss in last year’s state championship football game still stings.
Just three years removed from playing eight-man football, The Meadows has the talent and experience to challenge for its first state championship since 2009.
The Meadows fell behind by two touchdowns in the first half thanks to a series of mistakes, which proved costly in a loss to Yerington for the Class 2A football championship.
The Meadows will face Yerington at 9 a.m. Thursday at Allegiant Stadium, hoping to end the north’s stranglehold on the Class 2A state football championship.
The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association announced game times for four state football championship games that will be played Thursday at Allegiant Stadium.
Arbor View got off to a slow start before recovering to defeat Legacy on Saturday. The Aggies can clinch second place in the Class 5A Desert League with a win Friday.
State championships: 2009, 2008, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995
Recent state runner-up finishes: 2014, 1996
Recent league championships: 2014, 2009, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last 12 seasons
2019: 7-3 (independent)
2018: 4-5 (independent)
2017: 3-6 (3-4 2A Southern/fifth)
2016: 5-4 (4-2 2A Southern/third)
2015: 6-5 (5-3 2A Southern/fourth)
2014: 10-3 (7-0 2A Southern/first)
2013: 8-3 (6-1 2A Southern/second)
2012: 3-6 (3-5 2A Southern/tied sixth)
2011: 8-3 (6-1 2A Southern/second)
2010: 5-5 (5-2 2A Southern/third)
2009: 11-1 (7-0 2A Southern/first)
2008: 11-2 (6-1 2A Southern/second)
Recent head coaches
Jack Concannon (2017- ): 14-14, 3 seasons
Rod Vollan (2015-16): 11-9, 2 seasons
Frank DeSantis (1996-2001; 2007-14): record unavailable, 14 seasons