Three new schools join football mix

Southern Nevada's prep football scene gets a little more crowded this year with the addition of three new 4A schools: Centennial, Desert Pines and Foothill High Schools.

All three will play independent schedules this fall before Desert Pines and Foothill join the Sunrise and Centennial becomes a member of the Sunset in 2000.

And once again, the Las Vegas area will be home to two of the top lower tier programs in Nevada -- defending 2A state champion The Meadows and perennial 3A playoff qualifier Boulder City.

Also hoping to figure into the mix will be 2A's Faith Lutheran.

Boulder City Eagles

Coach: Dan Cahill (5th year).

1998 Record: 4-6 (3rd in 3A Division III, lost in state quarterfinals).

Top Players: Lee Hafen (6-3, 180), QB/S, Sr.; Justin Hagan (6-0, 250), OL / DL, Sr.; Justin Martens (6-1, 190), ILB/FB, Jr.; Mark Millet (6-2, 195), OG, Sr.; Ronn Shaw (6-2, 230), OL/DL, Sr.

Outlook: A solid 1998 campaign ended abruptly for the Eagles, with the team losing in a snowstorm to eventual 3A state champion Tahoe-Truckee in the first round of the playoffs. Despite losing several key cogs in last year's engine, Cahill envisions a successful 1999.

Centennial Bulldogs

Coach: Greg Murphy (1st year).

1998 Record: No Team.

Top Players: Derrick Brundage (5-10, 180), FB/LB, Jr.; Alex Ochoa (5-10, 170), QB/FS, Jr.; Gabe Reininger (6-3, 240), TE/DL, Jr.; Justin Rellin (5-7, 140), RB/DB, So.; Adam Sheets (6-2, 220), OL/DL, Jr.; Gabe Wagner (5-11, 160), WR/DB, Jr.

Outlook: After five years at Valley, Murphy takes over the new program in the northwest part of town. "It's a totally different makeup," he said. "We have a lot of inexperienced kids who have never taken a varsity snap." Drawing from a growing part of Las Vegas in an area previously zoned for Cimarron and Cheyenne, the Bulldogs could be a powerhouse in the making.

Desert Pines Jaguars

Coach: Gary Findley (1st year).

1998 Record: No Team.

Top Players: Derek Brown (6-0, 160), QB, So.; Rich Brink (6-2, 180), OL/ DL, Jr.; Dalon Taylor (5-10, 175), RB, Jr.; Cornell Johnson (6-2, 220), RB, Fr.; William Johnson (5-9, 190), LB, Jr.; Stevie Roberts (6-1, 165), WR/DB, Jr.

Outlook: Findley comes to the northeast's new school after serving one season as Cheyenne's offensive coordinator and five as Pahrump's head coach. Like the coaches at Centennial and Foothill, he is taking it slow, preparing his troops for the 2000 season. "If we can see some baby steps each day, we feel like we're making progress," he said.

Faith Lutheran Crusaders

Coach: Pete Renn (1st year).

1998 Record: 1-8.

Top Players: Rob Beech (6-0, 205), LB, Sr.; David Callings (6-4, 180), WR / S, Jr.; Ryan Hayes (5-11, 170), WR, So.; Brian Poynter (6-3, 160), QB, Sr.; Shannon Robinson (6-0, 200), LB, Sr.

Outlook: After three dismal losing seasons, the Crusaders will turn to Renn, a former college player who led the school's junior high team to a 13-3 mark the past two seasons. And if the new coach's positive attitude is any indication, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for Faith. "If we just execute, I think we'll have a very good year," he said.

Foothill Falcons

Coach: Ray Renton (1st year).

1998 Record: No Team.

Top Players: Scott Bevill (6-0, 150), WR/DB, Jr.; Grant Stanley (6-2, 180), QB, Jr.; B.J. Jarrett (5-10, 160), RB, So.; Jason Ripley (6-0, 230), OL/ DL, Jr.; Paul Roland (6-0, 185), LB/RB, Jr.; Jason Ripley (6-0, 230), OL/ DL, Jr.

Outlook: Fenton, formerly the head coach at Arizona's River Valley High, takes over Henderson's newest football program -- a team he took to summer football camp in Utah. Last week's scrimmage against Rancho was an eye-opener for the Falcons, who got a quick lesson on speed and size associated with a varsity schedule.

The Meadows Mustangs

Coach: Frank DeSantis (4th year)

1998 Record: 9-2 (1st in 2A South Division, 2A state champions).

Top Players: Justin Allen (6-2, 175), WR/S, Sr.; Jeff Boman (6-0, 180), LB / RB, Sr.; Kevin Britt (5-10, 170), WR/CB, Sr.; Adam Gregory (6-2, 210), OT/ DT, Sr.; Matt Harris (6-3, 190), QB, Sr.; Max Leinwand (6-1, 180), OG/DT, Sr.; Jason Williamson (6-1, 195), OG/DE, Sr. Outlook: The defending 2A state champs took a hit when star running backs Victor Wright and Jeff Raskin graduated last spring, but a strong senior class should have the Mustangs in good position to defend their title. Expect Meadows to rely on a grind-it-out attack behind experienced offensive lineman Gregory, Leinwand and Williamson

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