Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Liberty players sing their fight song after defeating Palo Verde Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Liberty won the game 42-28.
Published Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 | 7 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 | 2:07 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Where's the defense?
Upset over the outlandish scores posted around the valley last week, Las Vegas Sun sports reporter Ray Brewer loses his sanity on this week's podcast. Co-host Case Keefer tries to stay out of the way during his rant on defense, but has plenty to add on other topics — including impressive games from Arbor View and Bishop Gorman, "the hut drill" and the two highly-anticipated games in Henderson on Friday.
This game won’t have an impact on the standings.
The winning team won’t be one step closer to making a deep playoff run. The losing team surely won’t have to hit the reset button on their season.
However, when the Canyon Springs football team visits Liberty tonight in a battle of Sunrise Region powers, the winning team could grab much-needed momentum for a potential meeting later in the season.
It’s the final nonleague game for both schools — two-time defending Sunrise champion Liberty of the Southeast and defending Northeast champion Canyon Springs.
The general consensus is Friday’s showdown will be a preview to the Sunrise championship game, which would played the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and double as the state semifinals.
Both teams are ranked in the Sun’s top 10. And both are led by elite running backs.
Canyon Springs’ Donnel Pumphrey, a San Diego State verbal commit, is explosive and can score each time he touches the ball. He scored five touchdowns and rushed for 354 yards in the opener against Foothill and is averaging 15 yards per carry.
Liberty’s Niko Kapeli could be better.
The UNLV-committed Kapeli, who scored touchdowns on three consecutive touches two weeks ago against Palo Verde, entered the season as Liberty’s all-time leading rusher.
This isn’t the only game of interest.
The slate is highlighted by the annual Henderson Bowl rivalry game between host Basic and Green Valley, which is considered one of Nevada’s most significant rivalry games. Other games include: Boulder CIty traveling to Virgin Valley in Division I-A and the start of league play in the Sunset Region.
One game is already off the schedule. Earlier in the week, Spring Valley forfeited against Arbor View because of lack of players following an incident last week.
High school football results from around Southern Nevada:
• Green Valley’s defense answers the call in Henderson Bowl victory against Basic
• Kai Nacua leads Liberty to victory in game between local powers
• Las Vegas prevails against Foothill in high-scoring affair
• Faith Lutheran’s passing game produces three touchdowns, victory against Clark
• Coronado bounces back from loss with big night at Rancho
• Tyrone Prewitt excels at new position, leads Valley over Eldorado
• Centennial back on track with victory against Bonanza
• Gorman blanks Legacy in first game against local opponent
• Cheyenne stomps Pahrump Valley
• Last-second field goal from Chris Nilsen gives Boulder City win at Virgin Valley
• Strong third quarter gives Palo Verde win in Northwest League opener against Shadow Ridge
• Moapa Valley tops Chaparral for sixth straight win
• Running game carries Cimarron-Memorial to another close win
• Complete performance powers Durango over Sierra Vista
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
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