Members of the Silverado High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Ryan Scoggins, Franco Rodriguez, and Cody Marr.
Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 | 2:30 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Football: There is no close second
Las Vegas Sun sports editors Ray Brewer and Case Keefer ring in the start of football season by discussing some of the valley's top storylines and teams, like Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Arbor View and Desert Pines.
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Speed and power is a coveted yet uncommon combination for most football teams.
Silverado High may actually have both headed into the 2016 season. The Skyhawks’ offense will center on senior running back Keiki Mesipeka, who runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.
Mesipeka will run behind a titanic offensive line led by Bishop Gorman transfer Ryan Scoggins.
“The little guy here weighs 350 pounds, about 6-foot-4,” Silverado coach Randall Cunningham said about Scoggins.
Scoggins, a senior, could only play junior varsity last year because of transfer rules. He won’t be the only new face, as the Skyhawks landed several transfers from other parts of the valley as well as players from outside the area to bolster the roster.
Senior middle linebacker Jordan Walker is expected to lead the defense after moving from Hawaii.
Cunningham’s first season couldn’t be called anything but a success after Silverado went 7-4 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. But the coach is even more confident heading into year two.
“My first year, there was a little battle on who were going to be the leaders, then there was the transition of the new kids coming into Silverado compared to the 22 we had left over,” he said. “I think these guys have character, they love their teammates and our strong point is going to be unity.”
Tyrese Newsome joins Mesipeka as a skill player to watch. Earlier in the summer, Newsome asked Cunningham if he could try to play receiver.
Cunningham wasn’t sure what to expect, but wound up blown away by Newsome’s ability. Silverado will get creative with ways to get the ball to Newsome, whom Cunningham thinks can attract late recruiting attention.
That gives Silverado two ultra-fast weapons, which has influenced the mentality of the line.
“It just puts in my mind that I need to get the hole open quick so they can get to the hole quick,” Scoggins said.
Not everyone is a newcomer. Next to Walker at linebacker is Pekelo Solomon, one of the team’s leading tacklers from last year.
Senior safety Franco Rodriguez took plenty of snaps in the defensive backfield last year. Walker’s new teammates have impressed him.
“I see the boys work day in and day out on the football team,” Walker said. “Everyone comes to practice putting in that work, weightlifting every day. We put in the effort just to make sure this team goes far as a unit.”
Cunningham does have some concerns, particularly with Silverado’s lack of a kicker. The Skyhawks might have to go for two after every touchdown at least to start the season.
Those are minor worries for now, though. Silverado knows it has characteristics that other teams envy and could deliver in a big way.
“These guys are hardcore,” Cunningham said. “I love that about them. They are hard-working. They are students. I’m excited because our goal is to get kids in college.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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