Top 10 rankings: It was just one game, but this team earned its spot

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 | 2:05 a.m.

With three of the top-10 teams in the Sun’s high school football rankings having a bye last week, there isn’t much movement in this week’s rankings.

Well, except with one new team making a surprising debut.

Last week, top-ranked Bishop Gorman, No. 2 Liberty and No. 5 Canyon Springs had the week off.

Basic and Palo Verde posted big wins, No. 8 Las Vegas High struggled in its opener before defeating Desert Oasis, No. 3 Arbor View took down Green Valley, and No. 10 Cheyenne was beaten by a California school.

And, of course, there is Centennial.

The No. 4 ranked team won in impressive fashion against then No. 9 Durango, holding top college prospect Marcus Williams to less than 100 yards rushing in recording a shutout for the win.

There’s a new team in the Sun’s ranking this week: Coronado. Yes, Coronado.

Coronado, which hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2005 and is typically the worst team in the Southeast League, was that impressive in a 41-17 win against Silverado High.

Here are the rest of the rankings:

1. Bishop Gorman (2-0): The Gaels return to action (and national television) at 7 p.m. Friday when they host Bergen Catholic of New Jersey.

2. Liberty (0-1): Liberty hosts Palo Verde Thursday in arguably the most significant regular season game of the season. Should be a classic.

3. Arbor View (2-0): While Arbor View wasn’t at its best in the second half against Green Valley last week, the Aggies still won by double digits. Legacy will be a big-time test this week.

4. Centennial (2-0): Centennial couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season in becoming one of the city’s top teams. A program-changing win against Palo Verde and shutout against Durango give the Bulldogs much momentum for the rest of the season.

5. Canyon Springs (1-0): Canyon Springs returns to action this week by hosting Cheyenne in a North Las Vegas rivalry game featuring two of Southern Nevada’s top running backs.

6. Basic (1-0): Antraye Johnson returned the opening kickoff last week for a touchdown last week at Rancho, and Basic scored 41 points in the first half. So, yes, they deserve to be firmly in the top 10.

7. Palo Verde (1-2): Palo Verde got back on track with a victory against Bonanza. The Panthers’ tough schedule to open the season still includes a game Thursday at Liberty and later this month against Canyon Springs.

8. Las Vegas High (1-0): Las Vegas didn’t earn many style points in beating Desert Oasis to open the season. Running back Andrew Moreland saved the day to show he’ll be a force the remainder of the season.

9. Coronado (1-0): How about those Cougars? They led Silverado 34-0 at halftime with an offensive explosion. Not bad considering they averaged less than 10 points in league games last year.

10. Cheyenne (2-1): Cheyenne stays in the top 10 despite giving up 50-plus points to a California team in a blowout loss. The Sun never penalizes a team in the rankings for playing an out-of-state opponent.

OUT: Durango, after being blanked by Centennial, drops out.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.