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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Zak Yamauchi, Zachariah Branch and Palaie Faoa.
Monday, Aug. 15, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Can Gorman, Silverado repeat?
Another season of high school football begins Friday night with a similar storyline: Gorman is the team to beat in the class 5A; Silverado in the class 4A. Can anyone dethrone the 2021 state champs? Case and Ray discuss on the maiden edition of Prep Sports Now in 2022.
We asked all of the high school football coaches in Southern Nevada for their help in piecing together our preseason top-10.
No. 1 appeared to be obvious: Perennial power Bishop Gorman.
One coach returned his survey without completing it and a simple six-word response: “Gorman. Does it matter after that?”
That’s long been the mentality in Las Vegas, where Bishop Gorman has won all but one of the contested state championships since 2009, including in 2021 when the Gaels surrendered just four touchdowns in nine games against in-state competition.
Only one coach had a different team in the top spot — and for good reason. Liberty’s Rich Muraco pegged his Patriots as No. 1, reaffirming his believe that the Patriots — the 2019 state champions — will again execute a November playoff upset.
Here’s are the rankings:
1. Bishop Gorman
Why the Gaels? Of Gorman’s 22 starters, 20 have college scholarship offers. That crew is led by senior wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is not only Nevada’s best player but one of the nation’s finest. The USC pledge, who is the nation’s fifth overall prospect for the class of 2023 by 247 Sports, had 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season. But he’s not Gorman’s only notable recruit, as the entire secondary — Kodi Decambra (Oregon), Justyn Rhett (Georgia) and Jeremiah Hughes (LSU) — is loaded with elite performers. The offensive line is led by Stanford commit Zak Yamauchi, and senior Will Stallings (Tennessee) is a veteran in the backfield. Gorman should threaten for a national championship, as long as it gets by Mater Dei of California, a road game at St. Louis of Hawaii, and a highly anticipated rematch against Hamilton of Arizona. Gorman’s lone loss in 2021 was to Hamilton.
Other players to watch: QB Micah Alejado (2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2021), LB Jonah Leaea, LB Palaie Faoa (Boston College), DB Elijah Palmer (Hawaii), LB Jamih Otis (Hawaii), TE Elija Lofton.
Game of note: Aug. 26 vs. Mater Dei in one of the marquee games nationally of the season. It’s a battle of top-10 national programs.
Season prediction: 5A state champions
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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Colin Gregorio, AJ Fuimaono and Ethan Hilliard.
Why the Patriots? The Patriots are embracing a stacked nonleague scheduled with games against teams from Utah, California, Texas and Hawaii, knowing it’s a similar script as 2019 when battling those out-of-state opponents prepared them to beat Bishop Gorman. Quarterback Tyrese Smith has impressed in the offseason and has standout receivers in Ethan Hillard and Landon Bell, and more important, a massive offensive line. That size up front will give them an edge each week, and against Gorman in the playoffs, will help the Patriots hold their own. Liberty’s defense is also capable — just not as celebrated entering the season. If it progresses as expected, especially with UCLA commit A.J. Fuimaono leading the way on the defensive line, Liberty will be ready for another November of meaningful playoff games. After all, the program isn’t satisfied with just one state championship.
Players to watch: WR Ethan Hillard, WR Landon Bell, TE/LB Jae Beasley, ATH Colin Gregorio, QB Tyrese Smith, LB Kahekili Paaoao, RB Isaiah lauofo, DL A.J. Fuimaono
Game of note: Sept. 9 at Atascocita of Texas, because anytime a Southern Nevada teams goes to the high school football mecca of Texas, that’s a big deal.
Season prediction: 5A regional finalist
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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Zurich Ashford, Michael Kearns and Juice Washington.
Why the Aggies? This could be one of the best all-time teams for Arbor View, which says a lot considering it’s a perennial top-5 program and has won a regional championship. Transfer Michael Kerns at quarterback will bring a new dimension of speed and athleticism to the offense, and the one-two punch of Makhai Donaldson and Juice Washington in the running game is downright unfair for the opposition. Junior David Washington could be the top 2023 recruit in Las Vegas, and the defense is more than capable with Cal commit Zurich Ashford at defensive line and sophomore Christian Thatcher at linebacker.
Players to watch: DL Zurich Ashford (Cal-Berkeley), QB Michael Kerns, DE Toa Howard, RB Juice Washington (nine TDs in 2021), WR David Washington (a top 2023 recruit nationally), RB Makhai Donaldson (1,335 yards and 12 TD in 2021), K Jeau Vinatieri, LB Christian Thatcher.
Game of note: Sept. 10 against Mountain Pointe of Arizona in the Polynesian Football Classic.
Season prediction: 5A regional semifinalist
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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Malik Stinett and Idgerinn Dean.
Why the Jaguars? Desert Pines is again stacked at the skilled positions, with Division I talent at every position. The defense has highly regarded returners such as lineman Idgerinn Dean and defensive back Isaiah Rubin, and the Jaguars have many underclassmen ready to make an impact. (Watch out for freshman Trey Jackson). For as good as the Jaguars are at the skill positions, they are thin on the line and will have to stay healthy.
Players to watch: DL Idgerinn Dean, QB Marquis Roby, DB Isaiah Rubin (a top 2023 recruit), DB Jaylen Allen, LB Malik Stinnett, OG David Poutasi
Game of note: Oct. 21 at Liberty in one of the most anticipated games of the season because of the many Division I players are each roster.
Season prediction: Playoff qualifier
5. Silverado
Members of the Silverado High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Brandon Tunnell, Donavyn Pellot and Bryson Tunnell.
Why the Skyhawks? Silverado will have the best player on the field every game in senior Donavyn Pellot, who last season had 16 total touchdowns and will get plenty of touches in open space. He’s been teammates with quarterback Brandon Tunnell since youth football, and that chemistry was undeniable in last year’s undefeated season. Silverado was the Bishop Gorman of Class 4A, outscoring opponents 628-128 and not being challenged — they won 11 of 12 games by more than 20 points on the way to the title. Don’t be surprised if they are champions again, even with having to break in some new faces on the line.
Players to watch: ATH Donavyn Pellot, RB Caden Harris, QB Brandon Tunnell (1,942 yards and 27 touchdowns, LB Bryson Tunnell, LB Chris Federico, WR Shyne Johnson, WR Blake Relyea, OL/DL Jayland McClothen
Game of note: Aug. 19 at Centennial, a class 5A opponent for Silverado to prove its claim as one of the state’s elite teams — regardless of classification
Season prediction: 4A state champions
6. Green Valley
Members of the Green Valley High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Nate Richter, Tyler Eenhuis, Freddy Rodriguez and Eric Shockley.
Why the Gators? The consistency of the Green Valley program is often overlooked, especially in the Henderson area, where the Gators have been in Liberty’s shadow. But year in and year out, Green Valley has a roster with many capable pieces. That’s again the narrative this season, with returners Josiah Edwards and Freddy Rodriguez leading the offense, and linebacker Nate Richter anchoring the defense. Green Valley’s season will be determined with league games in consecutive weeks against top-10 opponents — Desert Pines, Liberty and Centennial.
Players to watch: WR Freddy Rodriguez, LB Nate Richter, OL/DL Eric Shockley, RB Josiah Edwards (six touchdowns in 2021), LB Tyler Eenhuis, DB Angel Merino.
Game of note: Sept. 23 in Henderson Bowl against Green Valley in one of the state’s best rivalry games.
Season prediction: 5A playoff qualifier
7. 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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Davidson Glenn, Jaquiez Holland and Andre Santillan.
Why the Mustangs? Shadow Ridge, the favorite ahead of last season to win the class 4A championship, is still very much part of the conversation. The Mustangs’ misdirection rushing attack, led by senior JaQuieze Holland — in his fourth year in the system — is going to be a challenge for the opposition to slow down. Quarterback Coen Coloma is equally talented when rushing the ball, and the Andre Santillan-led offensive line should get stronger by the postseason. Shadow Ridge is projected to make another playoff run and it’s safe to assume the Mustangs have been gearing up for a potential rematch with Silverado since their offseason training started in January. Teams with something to prove are dangerous — especially capable teams like Shadow Ridge.
Players to watch: RB JaQuieze Holland (1,885 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2021), QB Coen Coloma (15 rushing touchdowns), DB/WR Jeremiah Campbell, RB Davison Glenn, LB Keau Hadley Jr., WR/DB Caleb Fisher, OL Andre Santillan
Game of note: Oct. 7 vs. Coronado in a game that will determine playoff seeding — and who avoids Silverado until the championship game.
Season prediction: 4A state runner-up
8. 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 26, 2022. They include, from left, Damari Wiggins, Dariusz Zeno and Victor Plotnikov.
Why the Bulldogs? Some will question Centennial’s inclusion in the rankings, especially considering it was a one-win team last season. But it was also one of the youngest teams in Southern Nevada, relying on an group of juniors and sophomores every week who lacked game experience after the 2020 season was canceled because of the pandemic. The Bulldogs return more starters than any other team in the valley, are well-coached (remember its run in 2019) and have an abundance of athletes. Wide outs Damari Wiggins and Dariusz Zeno will be matchup problems all season, and sophomore Tommy Ransom could be the program’s next great rusher.
Players to watch: WR/DB Damari Wiggins, WR Dariusz Zeno, LB Victor Plotnikov, WR/DE Nicauri Shelton, OT/DE, Santana James, OL/DT Evan Martin, LB Ali Kamara, LB/RB Ty Hanley RB/LB, RB Tommy Ransom RB/CB, OL/DT Alex Inoke
Game of note: Sept. 30 vs. Liberty in a rematch of the 2019 state championship game.
Season prediction: 5A regional semifinalist
9. Foothill
Members of the Foothill High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Jaxson Burgess, Jalen Banez and Nathan Anderson.
Why the Falcons? Foothill established itself as a solid class 5A program last year by not backing down against any opponent — even Liberty — and winning a playoff game. It’s a mentality that will carry over to this season, especially with a veteran defensive line. Foothill has a tough preseason schedule that will prepare it for league play, where it has must-win games against Palo Verde and Legacy to open the conference slate in late September. The Falcons’ offense has first-time contributors at key spots, but the program also has depth at the skill positions, and coaches are confident they’ll find ways to score.
Players to watch: OL Mason Heiselbetz, DL Jaxson Burgess, WR/DB Ternillia Thomas, OL/DL Jalen Banez, DL Lawrence Houston, LB Nathan Anderson
Game of note: Aug. 19 at Austintown-Fitch of Ohio in what is believed to be the first Nevada team to play on the road in the state, a prep football hotbed.
Season prediction: 5A playoff qualifier
10. Moapa Valley
Members of the Moapa Valley High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Grant Henrie, Landon Wrzesinski and Ethan Stankosky.
Why the Pirates? The defending 3A state champions are nearly impossible to beat at home in Overton, and while they lost many contributors from last season’s title team, they have plenty of capable players primed to step into significant roles. Running back Landon Wrzesinski is one of the classification’s best players and is the type of hard-nosed runner capable of taking over a game. The 3A state champion will likely come out of Northern Nevada this season, but don’t be surprised if Moapa Valley develops into a contender by November.
Players to watch: OT/DT Grant Henrie, RB/CB Landon Wrzesinski (990 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021), RB/LB Ethan Stankosky, QB Shandon Matheson, TE/DE Joe Whitmore, RB/CB Degan Jones
Game of note: Oct. 21 at Virgin Valley in the Hammer Game.
Season prediction: 3A state semifinalist
