prep football:
Preseason top-10: Bishop Gorman still the team to beat in Las Vegas
Bishop Gorman head coach Brent Browner celebrates with players after Bishop Gorman defeated Liberty 56-11 to win the Class 5A Division I state championship at Allegiant Stadium Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Another season of high school football is here. The narrative in Las Vegas, however, hasn’t changed: Can anyone beat Bishop Gorman?
Gorman has won all but two state championships since 2007 in going from a state contender to a national power. Last year, the Gaels were voted the nation’s top team by USA Today and others for the school’s fourth national title since 2014.
This year, depending on the source, they are ranked in the top 5 nationally.
The valley has other quality programs that are primed for a strong season, especially with realignment bringing classifications with champions to crown. Legacy and Centennial won titles last season; Faith Lutheran and Slam Nevada lost in the championship game.
More titles will be won in November. Let’s look at who will be competing for them.
This is the Sun’s preseason top 10:
1. Bishop Gorman
Members of the Bishop Gorman High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Landon McComber, Sione Motuapuaka and SJ Alofaituli.
Last year: 5A, Division I state champions
Why Gorman: Gorman returns many contributors from last year’s national championship team and appears to have few noticeable weaknesses. It will be tested with four national opponents to open the season, including a road game Aug. 24 at St. Thomas Aquinas of Florida — an afternoon kickoff in humid conditions.
Top game: Sept. 6 at Mater Dei of California. A victory in the battle of top five national opponents would give Gorman the inside track to another national title.
Players to watch: The Gorman roster has nearly 20 with college scholarship offers, including wide receiver Derek Meadows (LSU), linemen Seuseu Alofaituli (Miami), Alai Kalaniuvalu (Oregon) and Douglas Utu (Tennessee), and linebacker Landon McComber (Stanford). And those are just the seniors. Junior Jett Washington and Prince Williams are some of the top prospects for the class of 2026.
2. Liberty
Members of the Liberty High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Derek Jones, Elijah Espinoza and Eliah Logo.
Last year: 5A Division I state runner-up
Why Liberty: Football America ranks Liberty No. 132 nationally — an impressive feat considering there are thousands of schools nationally. The Patriots are highly likely to again play Gorman for the state title, and if anyone can beat the defending champs, it’s them. Remember, they beat Gorman in 2019.
Top game: Sept. 27 vs. Bishop Gorman. This should be a preview of the state championship game and a great opportunity for Liberty to experiment with plays and formations ahead of the potential showdown later in the season.
Players to watch: Liberty projects to be strong defensively, led by lineman Eliah Logo (UNLV), linebacker Jeremiah Ioane (Oregon State) and defensive back Sean Craig (Oregon State). Elijah Espinoza, who passed for 290 yards and four touchdowns last season, leads the offense. Derek Jones will anchor the offensive line.
3. Arbor View
Members of the Arbor View High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Daniel Eagar, Zach Fares, Thadeus Thatcher, Jayden Williams and Christian Thatcher.
Last year: 5A, Division I playoff qualifier
Why Arbor View: Arbor View struggled last season with injuries, games lost to forfeit and a premature playoff exit. That’s nothing more than a distant memory and motivation for a new campaign. And Arbor View has the talent to make a memorable run. Its roster of Division I recruits in key spots is one of the best in the valley.
Top game: Oct. 25 at Liberty. Before Arbor View can be mentioned as a state championship contender, it first must beat Liberty — the unquestioned top public-school program.
Players to watch: Linebacker Christian Thatcher, who is committed to Utah, is a four-year starter and on pace to become Nevada’s all-time tackle leader. His brother, sophomore Thaddeus, nearly passed for 1,000 yards as a freshman before breaking his collarbone. Thaddeus has major scholarship offers. Junior Jayden Williams is a threat at safety and wide receiver, Zac Fares is primed for a breakout season at tight end, and defensive end Brian Townsend will be a menace for the opposition. Lineman Daniel Boyd is committed to Fresno State.
4. Desert Pines
Members of the Desert Pines High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Steve Manuma, Lone Solomon and Gabriel Gough.
Last year: 5A, Division I playoff qualifier
Why Desert Pines: When college coaches arrive in Las Vegas on the recruiting trail, one of the first stops is at Desert Pines because the Jaguars usually have some of the valley’s most talented players. Some years, that talent has produced a state title. Other years, it’s a team that gives everyone a challenge on Friday nights.
Top game: Oct. 5 at Arbor View; Oct. 10 vs. Liberty. The Jaguars, who won’t back down from any opponent, will play two of Nevada’s top programs within five days of each other.
Players to watch: Desert Pines had a handful of expected contributors move out of state, but still has plenty of pieces for a winning season, including a 48-player freshman class with many talented up-and-comers. Remember the name Michael Taylor, a class of 2028 tight end and linebacker.
The strength will be on the offensive line with four-year starter Gabriel Gough and Steve Manuma. Junior defensive back Majik McMillion is an aggressive defender with elite speed, and senior linebacker Isaiah Teo is a proven playmaker.
5. Shadow Ridge
Members of the Shadow Ridge High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Jacob Dosch, Diego Madrid and Jamarion Whitson.
Last year: 5A, Division I semifinals
Why Shadow Ridge: The Mustangs, who reached the state title game in 2021 and 2022, are considered a favorite in Class 5A, Division II. They are strong on the lines, play sound defense, are well coached and have a misdirection rushing attack that gives opponents fits. They beat Arbor View and Desert Pines last season, and only trailed Gorman by four points at halftime.
Top game: Sept. 13 vs. Faith Lutheran. Shadow Ridge and Faith Lutheran are considered the top teams in Class 5A, Division II, meaning the early season showdown could have playoff seeding ramifications.
Players to watch: Shadow Ridge is led by linebacker Diego Madrid (80 tackles in 2023), quarterback/safety Ula Cox, offensive lineman Jamarion Whitson, Gerald Rock and Jacob Dosch, and running back Trevin Young. Madrid and Young should each rush for more than 1,000 yards.
6. Coronado
Members of the Coronado High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, JJ Buchanan, Aiden Krause and Neville Roberts.
Last year: 5A, Division I semifinals
Why Coronado: Coronado closed strong last season in coach Shawn Dupris’ maiden campaign, dominating Desert Pines in a playoff upset and scoring twice in a season-ending defeat to Bishop Gorman. The Cougars have many notable returners and some of the highest participating numbers in the valley. That’swhy there is a strong sense that Coronado will finish in the top half of Class 5A, Division I.
Top game: Sept. 20 vs. Liberty. There’s no love lost between neighborhood rivals Coronado and Liberty in all sports.
Players to watch: Two-way standout JJ Buchanan, a senior who is verbally committed to the University of Utah, had 38 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns last season. He had four interceptions on defense. Quarterback Aiden Krause returns after passing for 2,064 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. The defense will be led by linebackers Derek Hurley and William Bittman, and defensive end Neville Roberts.
7. Legacy
Members of the Legacy High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Dominic Oliver, Aidan Crawford and Tyrell Holloway.
Last year: State champions, 5A, Division III
Why Legacy: Legacy returns a handful of key contributors from its state championship team, all of whom are eager to prove the Longhorns are one of the valley’s top programs. Legacy thrived in an underdog role last season and will bring that mentality into a higher classification of competition.
Top game: Oct. 5 vs. Shadow Ridge. Legacy, the defending Class 5A, Division III state champions, feels it can make another run in a higher classification. Beating Shadow Ridge — likely the best team in the class — would be a good start.
Players to watch: Legacy returns an accomplished quarterback in Aidan Crawford, who passed for 2,291 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2023. His top target is Division I recruit Dominic Oliver, who had 786 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in the championship season. Defensively, Caden Bridgewater (63 tackles), Jayden Bridgewater (47 tackles) and four-year varsity player Tyrell Holloway lead the way.
8. Palo Verde
Members of the Palo Verde High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Slade Koch, Bryant Johnson and Alex Green.
Last year: Lost in the Class 5A, Division III Southern finals
Why Palo Verde: The Panthers likely have the best defense is Class 5A, Division II — and that’s meaningful in a league with mostly equal teams. If Palo Verde can move the football on offense, it could win the classification.
Top game: Oct. 24 at Faith Lutheran. The regular-season finale should have a significant impact on playoff seeding. It’s also a battle of Summerlin neighbors.
Players to watch: San Diego State commit Alex Green, who had 86 tackles last season, will lead the defense. The unit also includes De’Anthony Thompson and Nathan Kosa. Offensively, wide receiver Slade Knoch, who had 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season, should receive plenty of chances.
9. Centennial
Members of the Centennial High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Saione Inoke, Alexander Inoke and Shaje Silva.
Last year: Class 4A state champions
Why Centennial: Centennial must replace many key performers off its state championship team, but the program has a handful of underclassmen who are poised to step into meaningful roles. More important: An 11-win season in 2023 set the foundation for future successes, coaches feel.
Top game: Aug. 23 against Desert Pines. Centennial is well on its way to returning as one of Las Vegas’ elite teams. A victory against Desert Pines would solidify that claim.
Players to watch: The Bulldogs return a handful of contributors from last year’s title team, including linebacker Saione Inoke, lineman Alexander Inoke and defensive back Shaje Silva. Saione Inoke had more than 100 tackles last season. The sense is that sophomores James Monaghan IV at quarterback and Jayden Thomas at wide receiver will become a dynamic combination.
10. Slam Nevada
Members of the Slam! Nevada football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 23, 2024. They include, from left, Alex Garcia, Carlos Valadez and Damien Neil.
Last year: State runner-up, Class 3A
Why Slam: Slam has just one loss against Class 3A Southern League opponents over the past two seasons, going from a startup program to a classification power. The team hasspeed and size, and plays great defense. Don’t be surprised when it reaches a third straight state championship game.
Top game: Sept. 20 vs. Moapa Valley. This is a battle of the unquestioned top two programs in the Class 3A Southern League. The winning team will likely win the division and get a home playoff game in the state semifinals. The losing team would finish second and be forced to make a nine-hour bus ride to the California-Northern Nevada border to likely face Truckee in the semifinals. Truckee has beaten Moapa Valley in the past two state semifinals. Truckee has beaten Slam in the past two state championship games.
Players to watch: Running back Damien Nevil, who rushed for 1,820 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, is the top player in Class 3A. Safety Alex Garcia had 27 tackles in seven games last season, and lineman Carlos Valadez (6-foot, 280 pounds) has the size and strength that other lineman in the classification lack.
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