Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

kickoff 2016:

Cimarron-Memorial football has strong running back, out to avenge poor 2015 season

2016 High School Football

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Cimarron-Memorial 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, Gunner Stevenson, Eric Wade, Tyree Riley, and K.J. Gentry.

After its worst season in more than a decade, the Cimarron-Memorial High football team is primed for a bounce back year in 2016.

The Spartans return their leading passer, rusher and touchdown catcher from a year ago when they finished with a 2-8 record.

Quarterback George Tribble struggled as a sophomore in 2015, completing only 36-of-102 for 573 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions, but with a year of experience under his belt he should be improved. He will target senior tight end Eric Wade who led the Spartans with three touchdown catches last year.

Behind Tribble is senior running back Tyree Riley, who finished fourth in the valley in rushing last year with 1,439 yards and six touchdowns.

“I just won’t give up,” Riley said. “I’ve always competed. I never liked being tackled and I’ll do anything for my team.”

In order for the Spartans to return as contenders in their league, Riley will have to at least match his stats from a year ago.

Assistant coach Hakeem Shabazz the offense’s success will hinge on the Spartans’ young offensive line.

“Everything relies on the line,” Shabazz said. “We always say ‘get control of the line’ and once we do we can do what we need to.”

That goes for the defensive side as well, as Cimarron was gashed on the ground consistently last season and gave up nearly 40 points per game.

“We have to be consistent,” said linebacker Gunner Stevenson. “We have to know our jobs, stay to our jobs and we have to trust what the coaches tell us.”

Stevenson hopes to follow in the footsteps of Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, who returned to his alma mater during the offseason and spoke to the Cimarron students.

“It’s motivating to know that somebody that was where I’m at now is where I want to be in the future motivates me and keeps me going,” Stevenson said. “It makes me want to play harder knowing that I actually have a shot.”

But the Spartans more immediate goals are winning games in what looks to be the toughest division in the city. In the new Northwest features the likes of perennial powers Arbor View and Centennial.

“It’s a privilege to be able to be back in that alignment,” said Shabazz, who will be coaching against Centennial, Arbor View, Palo Verde, Legacy, Shadow Ridge and Faith Lutheran. “It allows our guys to compete and see where they stand at and where they measure up.”

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