Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

kickoff 2016:

Eldorado making improvements, confident it will contend for playoff berth

2016 High School Football

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Eldorado High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Francisco Ceja, Anthony Silva, and Jaime Rangel.

2016 High School Football

Members of the Cheyenne High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Corwin Bush, William Federson, John Tarver, and Deriontae Green. Launch slideshow »
Prep Sports Now

Football: There is no close second

Las Vegas Sun sports editors Ray Brewer and Case Keefer ring in the start of football season by discussing some of the valley's top storylines and teams, like Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Arbor View and Desert Pines.

Eldorado High football coach Robert Cutts looks at a roster that’s bigger than the Sundevils have had in many years, and he can see some of the pieces fall into place. Eldorado has some good receivers, playmakers on defense and enough depth.

This could be the year they head back to the postseason.

“The ball is in our court to get to the playoffs and break a 14-year streak,” Cutts said.

It starts with the participation numbers, which Cutts said is up over 100. Eldorado’s coaches have been able to achieve that by going out to middle schools and making sure that younger athletes know they’re around and willing to help out. Some of the players have gone out on the trips, too.

“Kids are excited to see us and would like to follow in our footsteps,” said senior linebacker Anthony Silva.

But the kids need to be able to play, too, and the Sundevils feel like they’ve got several who fit the bill. On offense, it starts with junior quarterback Jaime Rangel, who is in charge of what Cutts plans to be a balanced offensive attack.

“A lot of the offense depends on me, so for me especially it’s next play, next game always,” Rangel said of not dwelling on any one play. “It’s what coach Cutts has taught me and I’ve embraced it.”

Silva is one of the anchors on defense, where he expects to see the benefits of the large group spending a lot of the offseason in the weight room. That’s where improvement has to start, Silva said, and he sees a group that’s more committed to everything Cutts and the staff has been teaching than ever before.

“We’re all into it and we live by it. All in or in the way,” Silva said.

Eldorado’s season starts on Friday at Pahrump Valley, and the Sunrise Northeast League slate begins on Sept. 30 against Rancho High. A playoff spot is definitely within the Sundevils’ grasp, and now they just have to go take it.

“No matter who is on the schedule we have to show up and play,” Cutts said. “We can either do it or not.”

Taylor Bern can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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