Silverado High School football player Donavyn Pellot poses during practice at the school in Henderson Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Sun Standout Awards
We are seeking nominations for the Sun Standout Awards, our annual high school sports awards show returning May 22 to the South Point Showroom.
Modeled after ESPN’s ESPY Awards, the black-tie-optional event honors top games, moments, teams and players.
Awards include Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Scholar Athlete of the Year and Citizen of the Year.
There’s some good high school football being played in Nevada.
It’s not just at Bishop Gorman, which finished ranked in the top-5 nationally last month after winning the state championship and beating five out-of-state opponents along the way. The Gaels were so impressive that 13 seniors signed national letters of intent to play in college.
Area powers Arbor View, Desert Pines and Liberty also pieced together impressive wins and developed college players. And the good performances weren’t limited to the Southern Nevada.
As the Sun pieced together its all-state high school football team — with feedback from Reno reporter J Ray Dockter of Nevada Sports Net — it became obvious that there were many athletes who had impressive seasons.
Today, we list those who stood out the most.
First team all state
Quarterback Micah Alejado, junior, Bishop Gorman: He passed for 3,575 yards and 54 touchdowns with only two interceptions in leading the Gaels to the state championship.
Quarterback Logan Howren, senior, Bishop Manogue: The Reno-area senior passed for 3,189 yards and 48 touchdowns with four interceptions in leading the Miners to the Northern Region championship.
Running back JaQuieze Holland, senior, Shadow Ridge: The all-time leading rusher in Shadow Ridge history, Holland rushed for 1,633 yards and 19 touchdowns in helping the Mustangs reach the state championship game.
Running back Isaiah Lauofo, junior, Liberty: A hard-nosed runner, Lauofo gained 1,334 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Running back Spencer Firebaugh, senior, Reed: The Reno player rushed for a state-best 2,348 yards and 31 touchdowns and the Raiders were the No. 2 seed in the Northern Region.
Wide receiver Trech Kekahuna, senior, Bishop Gorman: Kekahuna, who signed with Arizona, finished with 61 catches for 1,330 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch, senior Bishop Gorman: A five-star recruit and All-American, Branch tallied 753 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Wide receiver David Washington, junior, Arbor View: Washington, a top prospect for the class of 2024, had 52 receptions for 826 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tight end Elija Lofton, junior, Bishop Gorman: Lofton had 30 catches for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for seven touchdowns, including four against Chaminade-Madonna of Florida in the Geico State Champions Bowl Series, a made-for-television event pitting nationally ranked state champions in a postseason bowl game.
All purpose athlete Donavyn Pellot, senior, Silverado: Some feel the UCLA signee Pellot was the state’s most versatile player, as he rushed for 501 yards and 14 touchdowns, and caught 32 passes for 829 yards and 11 scores. He added five touchdowns on special teams and defense, where as a safety he recorded 49 tackles and three interceptions.
Offensive lineman Zak Yamauchi, senior, Bishop Gorman: Arguably the best lineman in the state, Yamauchi will play next season at Stanford.
Members of the Bishop Gorman High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Zak Yamauchi, Zachariah Branch and Palaie Faoa.
Offensive lineman Ed Haynes, senior, Liberty: The 6-foot-5, 270-pound UNLV commit had a breakthrough season to earn scholarship offers from Oregon State and Arizona State, and is believed to have only scratched the surface with his potential.
Offensive lineman David Poutasi, senior, Desert Pines: Poutasi, an all-league pick, was the heart-and-soul of the Desert Pines line — and roster — the past two seasons.
Offensive lineman Nate Smith, senior, Shadow Ridge: Shadow Ridge has one of the best rushing attacks in the state, and Smith leading the way up front is a big reason why.
Offensive lineman Carson Darby, senior, Reno High: Darby was an all-Region selection on both sides of the ball.
Defensive lineman Zurich Ashford, senior, Arbor View: Ashford, who signed with Cal, had 53 tackles (7 for a loss) and four sacks.
Defensive lineman Idgerinn Dean, senior, Desert Pines: Dean, who had 11 sacks, was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Class 5A Mountain League.
Defensive lineman AJ Fuimaono, senior, Liberty: The UCLA signee had seven sacks and 27 tackles.
Defensive lineman Kelze Howard, senior, Spring Valley: Howard, the Class 4A Sky League’s Defensive Player of the Year, had 65 tackles and 12 sacks. He signed with Oregon State.
Defensive lineman Jayland McGlothen, junior, Silverado: He had 70 tackles and 18.5 sacks for the Class 4A state champion Skyhawks.
Linebacker Palaie Faoa, senior, Bishop Gorman: The Boston College signee had 57 tackles (22 for a loss) and 11 sacks in being named the Class 5A Desert League’s top defender.
Linebacker Jamih Otis, senior, Bishop Gorman: The Hawaii recruit had 103 tackles and six sacks in the state championship season.
Linebacker Marco Casci, Senior, Spanish Springs: With 110 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, the Sparks senior was named the Northern Region’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Linebacker Chris Federico, senior, Silverado: A four-year varsity performer and two-time state champion, Federico led the Class 4A with 128 tackles.
Linebacker Christian Thatcher, sophomore, Arbor View: Thatcher finished in the top-five of the state with 133 tackles (13 for a loss), three sacks, two blocked kicks and an interception.
Defensive back Headed to play at Oregon, Decambra recorded 34 tackles and two interceptions.Kodi Decambra, senior, Bishop Gorman:
Defensive back Jeremiah Hughes, senior, Bishop Gorman: The LSU-commit led the state with seven interceptions.
Defensive back Nate Penney, senior, Spanish Springs: Penney never came off the field for Spanish Springs, registering 68 tackles and two interceptions on defense, and 823 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on offense.
Defensive back Shyne Johnson, senior, Silverado: Johnson, who had three interceptions and 15 passes defended, always guarded the other team’s best receiver. The game plan worked as the Skyhawks haven’t lost a game the past two seasons.
Desert Pines #22 Trey Jackson fends off a tackle attempt during a football game against Faith Lutheran at Desert Pines High School Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Kick returner TreyShaun Jackson, freshman, Desert Pines: Had two kickoff returns and a punt return for touchdowns in his maiden season. He also recorded two interception returns for a score in the same game.
Kicker Caden Chittenden, junior, Faith Lutheran: A generational talent, Chittenden made 17 of 22 field goals with a long of 56 yards. He made 29 of 30 extra points.
Second team all state
Quarterback Elijah Espinoza, sophomore, Las Vegas High: Espinoza, who in one game passed for six touchdowns, finished with 2,800 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Quarterback Brandon Tunnell, senior, Silverado: Tunnell passed for 2,199 yards and 28 touchdowns in helping Silverado win a second consecutive title.
Running back Micah Kaapana, junior, Bishop Gorman: Rushed for 1,001 yards and 15 touchdowns, and in the state championship game had five long touchdowns — on the only five times he touched the ball.
Running back Caden Harris, senior, Silverado: Harris rushed for 1,355 yards and 21 touchdowns in Silverado’s state championship season. He was the 4A Mountain League’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Running back Eli Finlayson, junior, Elko: Rushed for 1,398 yards and 14 touchdowns. Elko, because of Finlayson, will be a favorite to win state next fall.
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Wide receiver Nate Richter, senior, Green Valley: The Portland State commit completed 52 passes for 741 yards and six touchdowns. He also registered 98 tackles and seven sacks on defense.
Wide receiver Jayden Robertson, junior, Liberty: Robertson had 31 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns.
Wide receiver Ben Scolari, junior, Bishop Manogue: Scolari helped the Miners win the Northern Region championship with 1,242 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
Tight end Michael Floyde, senior, Coronado: The 6-foot-4 tight end was a matchup problem all season and caught eight touchdown passes.
Tight end Kristian Ingman, senior, Bishop Manogue: Had 410 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to help the Miners take second in state.
All purpose athlete Dylan Sumner, senior, Truckee: An integral part of Class 3A state champions, Sumner rushed for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns, and had 740 receiving yards and eight scores.
All purpose athlete Daniel Nevil, senior, Slam Charter: Nevil was the best player on the field on most Friday nights in helping Slam reach the Class 3A state championship game. He did a little bit of everything, including rushing for 16 touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Wesley Sauvao, senior, Liberty: The Patriots’ power rushing attack often times went through the 6-foot-3 tackle.
Offensive lineman Andre Santillan, senior, Shadow Ridge: The 6-foot-2, 275 pound senior guard was quick off the ball in the Mustangs’ strong rushing attack.
Offensive lineman Grant Henry, senior, Moapa Valley: The two-way performer was the 3A Lineman of the Year.
Offensive lineman Jammal Boyd, senior, Silverado: At 6-foot-1, 330 pounds, Boyd paved the way for Silverado’s strong rushing attack in an undefeated season.
Offensive lineman Tyler Miller, junior, Galena: The 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle is a three-star recruit for the class of 2024, and was a first-team all-Northern Regional selection.
Defensive lineman Salesi Manu, junior, Bishop Manogue: Had 67 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for a loss, to go along with seven sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Was the Class 5A Lineman of the Year in Northern Nevada.
Defensive lineman Braelen Toles, junior, Damonte Ranch: Had a Northern Region best 12.5 sacks.
Defensive lineman Antoine Taylor, junior, Basic Academy: Taylor, who had nine sacks, was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Class 4A Mountain League.
Defensive lineman Davion Martinez, senior, Coronado: The Southern Utah signee had 64 tackles and 17 sacks to help Coronado reach the Class 4A semifinals.
Defensive lineman Toa Howard, senior, Arbor View: Howard had 34 tackles (seven for loss) and four sacks.
Defensive lineman Labarrio Mays, senior, Desert Pines: Registered 12 sacks and 46 tackles to help Desert Pines win a playoff game.
Linebacker Diego Madrid, sophomore, Shadow Ridge: Madrid had 96 tackles as the Mustangs returned to the state championship game.
Linebacker Quincy Davis, senior, Bishop Gorman: The New Mexico State commit had 56 tackles and eight sacks for the state champion Gaels.
Linebacker Cooper Park, junior, Reed: Had 131 tackles to help Reed to a 5-1 record in league games.
Linebacker Martin Jordan, senior, Virgin Valley: The Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year had 100 tackles and two sacks.
Defensive back Jeremiah Vessel, senior, Bishop Gorman: The New Mexico State pledge emerged into one of Gorman’s best cover defenders, including holding one of the nation’s best wide receivers to less than 20 yards in the end-of-the-year Geico State Champions Bowl Series game.
Defensive back Matai Tagoa’i, sophomore, Faith Lutheran: The safety had 73 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Defensive back Kory Villarreal, sophomore, Spring Valley: By the end of the season, Villarreal had five interceptions to lead Spring Valley’s defensive backfield.
Kicker Michael Mendez, junior, Spanish Springs: The Northern Nevada kicker connected on 15 of 19 fields goals with a long of 48 yards. Mendez also made all of the 35 extra points he attempted.
