Prep football: Top 10 teams in the Valley this week

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | 3:32 p.m.

The Home News weekly high school football rankings could change significantly next week.

And, they probably will remain the same until the postseason.

Bonanza, which at 5-0 in the Southwest Division is ranked No. 10, travels to No. 5 Spring Valley Friday in a crucial league match. A win for the Bengals would set up a showdown for the league title Oct. 30 against defending state champion Bishop Gorman.

Bonanza traditionally struggles and hasn't gotten as much respect for winning its last six games. However, you won't hear coach Shawn Dupris complain.

"Bonanza hasn't gotten a lot of love, but that doesn't affect us," Dupris said. "They boys take everything with a grain of salt."

Also on Friday, No. 9 Del Sol travels to No. 8 Basic in a battle for first place in the Southeast.

Here's a look at this week's top teams:

1. Palo Verde (8-0): Can Palo Verde be stopped? Definitely not by Mojave.

2. Bishop Gorman (8-1): Gorman plays Pahrump Valley in this year's biggest mismatch.

3. Las Vegas (7-1): Las Vegas scored 63 points to beat Rancho Oct. 17 in the annual Bone Game.

4. Cheyenne (7-1): Cheyenne is one of the most consistent, and under rated, teams in Southern Nevada.

5. Spring Valley (6-1): Spring Valley continues to impress and moves up a spot in this week's rankings.

6. Green Valley (6-2): Green Valley drove 70 yards in the final minute against Del Sol Oct. 17 for the upset win.

7. Cimarron-Memorial (5-3): Cimarron's lone Northwest Division loss was against top-ranked Palo Verde.

8. Basic (5-2): Basic is in first place of the Southeast and clinched its first playoff berth in three years with a win against Foothill Oct. 17.

9. Del Sol (6-2): Del Sol lost on the last play of the game against Green Valley Oct. 17, but should still reach a third straight Sunrise Regional championship game.

10. Bonanza (5-2): Bonanza is undefeated and tied for first place in the Southwest Division - a surprise for most. The Bengals can validate their success Friday against Spring Valley.