High School Football Picks: Week 6
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.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 | 2 a.m.
The most interesting high school football game Friday night won’t be the battle between Henderson neighbors Liberty and Coronado.
And it won’t be other league openers in Class 5A, Division I like Foothill taking on Desert Pines or Arbor View hosting Basic.
The best game is arguably in the Class 3A, where perennial power Moapa Valley travels into Las Vegas to take on Slam Nevada. Slam has been the better program over the last two years in advancing to the state championship game in back-to-back seasons.
This game is massively important because the winner will be in the driver’s seat to win the Class 3A Southern League — and avoid a state semifinal date against reigning champion Truckee.
The picks column went 11-7 last week and sits at 59-32 for the season. Here’s another week of analysis.
Moapa Valley vs. Slam Nevada
Slam’s running game too much for Moapa Valley. Slam 23, Moapa Valley 18
Liberty at Coronado
Liberty makes a statement. Liberty 38, Coronado 13
Desert Pines at Foothill
Sing after me, “We are the Foothill Falcons ....” Foothill 34, Desert Pines 26
Silverado at Faith Lutheran
Could Faith Lutheran have an undefeated season? Faith Lutheran 38, Silverado 13
Sunrise Mountain at Centennial
A rematch of last year’s state championship game — and both teams are still looking for a win. Sunrise Mountain 16, Centennial 13
Basic at Arbor View
I hate that this is a league game for Basic. Arbor View 42, Basic 0
Legacy at Sierra Vista
This is a step up in competition for Sierra Vista. Legacy 31, Sierra Vista 6
Palo Verde at Shadow Ridge
Shadow Ridge’s defense has been a work in progress all season. Shadow Ridge 32, Palo Verde 26
Durango at Boulder City
Upset of the week. Tough spot on the road for Durango. Boulder City 20, Durango 18
Clark at Las Vegas
Closer than you think. Las Vegas 23, Clark 22
Canyon Springs at Eldorado
Canyon Springs breaks out of its funk, gets a much needed win. Canyon Springs 18, Eldorado 17
Somerset Losee at Bonanza
Somerset’s run game will give Bonanza fits. Somerset 43, Bonanza 0
Pahrump Valley at Virgin Valley
Virgin Valley-Pahrump Valley feels like the undercard this week. Virgin Valley 38, Pahrump Valley 11
Valley at Del Sol
The Del Sol Dragons beat Valley, sitting at 3-2 halfway through the season. Well done. Del Sol 31, Valley 18
Mojave at Rancho
Make it four straight wins for the Mojave Rattlers. Mojave 43, Rancho 0
Western at Cimarron-Memorial
League games are always closer than expected. Cimarron-Memorial 28, Western 19