Friday Night Roundup: Liberty edges Coronado in another tight game; Gorman squeaks by

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 | 7 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 | 1:21 a.m.

The schedule makers did a great job booking this week’s high school football games. With at least four games that could be won by either team, we should be in for some exciting finishes.

Anyone have a coin? That could be the best way to handicap the winners.

The matchup of the night is Coronado at Liberty in a nonleague rivalry game. The schools, which are located on opposite sides of St. Rose Parkway in Henderson, aren’t too fond of each other.

Liberty is the four-time defending Sunrise champion and has won more than 40 straight games against Sunrise opponents. However, they received stiff competition over the past two seasons against Coronado, and some feel the Cougars can pull off the upset.

On 2012, Coronado lost just 35-29 in the regular season against Liberty, becoming one of the few teams to challenge the perennial power.

This isn’t the lone game of interest.

In a battle of teams in the Sun’s top 10 rankings, No. 3 Arbor View hosts No. 7 Canyon Springs. It’s a battle of speed against power — Canyon Springs has some of the best athletes in town; Arbor View one of the strongest offensive lines.

Also, No. 5 Las Vegas High travels to Legacy in what will likely become a battle between two of the area’s top players — Las Vegas High running back Elias Miller against Legacy’s DeMichael Walker. Miller had five touchdowns last week against Rancho, and Walker raced 50 yards for a score against the defending Utah state champions.

Bishop Gorman continues its six games in six weeks against national opponents tonight in California against Centennial of Corona. Last week, the Gaels needed overtime to win — but they won, improving to 3-0 on the season.

The Division I-A begins league play tonight. Defending state champion Faith Lutheran will be tested at Clark, which made the playoffs last year and has talent at the skilled positions.

Also, Division I-A newcomer Spring Valley travels to Cheyenne in another evenly matched game. Now that Spring Valley doesn’t have to go through the likes of Bishop Gorman and Palo Verde in the playoffs, its players feel optimistic it will be a contender.

We’ll keep everyone posted all night. Send us fan photos, game updates and final scores on Twitter using #sunstandout or #702hsfb.

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Stories from high school football games around the valley:

• Foothill trounces Valley for first win of the season

• Despite miscues, Boulder City tops Rancho 32-13

• Arbor View contains Canyon Springs, 45-14

• Green Valley’s offense roars back to life in 53-21 win over Shadow Ridge

• Silverado keeps momentum moving forward in 45-14 win at Desert Oasis

• Defense handles bulk of scoring in Sierra Vista’s shutout at Western

• Mojave jumps out to big lead and cruises to 50-6 win against Pahrump Valley

• Durango tops rival Bonanza to stop 11-game losing streak

• Cheyenne doesn’t score in second half, hangs on to beat Spring Valley

• Upset of the night: Clark shocks defending state champion Faith Lutheran

• Liberty makes just enough plays to win defensive struggle against Coronado

• Worth the risk: Gorman overcomes 14-point deficit, beats Cali school on 2-point conversion

• Defense turns up pressure for Las Vegas in win against Legacy

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