Monday, Aug. 18, 2008 | 6:58 p.m.
Strap It Up
As high school football teams are gearing up for the season across the state, Palo Verde is revving up for another run at a state title.
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Del Sol football coach Preston Goroff blew his whistle and a group of several players raced from the 40-yard line at Dragon Stadium in East Las Vegas to the end zone.
Actually, the group tried to catch one player as senior tailback Jordan Molina easily outraced teammates Monday morning during Del Sol’s first practice with pads. High schools across Southern Nevada donned the pads for the first time today, 11 days before the Aug. 29 openers.
Standing to the left of Goroff, I commented how Molina could be the fastest tailback in the Southeast Division.
Goroff quickly corrected me — well, with a little help from another senior tailback, Kenny Lawrence. Running in the last group, Lawrence easily cruised to the finish line.
The display of speed was made more impressive when I realized the sprints were part of Del Sol’s warm-up routine and both athletes were running at 80 percent.
The seniors, despite the blazing speed, will have to fight for carries in Del Sol’s run-first offense as Goroff has a problem other coaches would like to have — he’s got four quality tailbacks pushing each other for touches.
Junior Earnest Hall, who rushed for 534 yards and seven touchdowns on 96 carries last year, and Coronado transfer Derek Eamon give the Dragons four legitimate threats. Also, bruising fullback Jon Kirschbaum rushed for five touchdowns and 598 yards last year.
“They each bring something different to the table,” Goroff said. “We are going to be able to change it up.”
No matter who is penciled in at running back, Goroff’s game plan will stay the same. Del takes pride in dominating the line of scrimmage and having four capable backs on Friday nights is a dream.
Eamon, Hall and Kirschbaum will provide the muscle in the attack, while Molina and Lawrence will add speed. The foursome will also start on defense, where Eamon might be the most physical linebacker in the Sunrise Region.
The foursome agrees the competition for carries won’t interrupt the Dragons’ ultimate goal. They have lost in the Sunrise Regional title game to Las Vegas High the past two years, but feel they have personnel for a memorable run.
Anything less than a state title would be a disappointment.
“In the end, we have to do what is best for the team,” said Molina, who despite standing 5 feet, 5 inches, rushed for 417 yards and six touchdowns on 46 carries last year.
Del Sol opens the season Aug. 29 against Valley. I’m guessing all four tailbacks will score a touchdown, with Lawrence and Molina winning races to the goal line.
It’s a scenario the Dragons plan on repeating all year.
“I’m loving it out here,” Lawrence said. “I’m having the time of my life and we haven’t played a game yet.”
Ray Brewer is the sports editor for the Home News and can be reached at [email protected] or 702-990-2662.
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