Las Vegas players celebrate their second straight Class 4A state championship following the Wildcats' 33-6 victory over Galena on Dec. 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.
O'Ryan Bradley
Tim Johnson
D'Angelo Jones
Jimmy Sargent
Eddie Wide
Reggie Davis
Raveon Samuel
Kyle Shaney
Dan Knapp
Alex Bair
Conrad Burbank
Billy Durden
Po'u Palelei
Neil Spencer
Nick Rhodes
Robbie Garvey
Justin Gates
Lawrence Guy
PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE
Sean Molina, Douglas
Billy Winn
Nate Carter
Kawika Dean
Brent Koontz
Nathan Martinez
Corbin Brown
D.J. Campbell
Archie Kovich
Josh LaGrone
Aaron Byers
Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth
OFFENSE
FIRST TEAM
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QUARTERBACK
O'Ryan Bradley, Las Vegas (6-2, 175, Sr.) -- Sunrise Region Offensive Player of the Year. ... Passed for 2,758 yards and 29 TDs in winning the school's second straight state title. ... Completed 58.8 percent of his passes and was intercepted just five times. ... Also rushed for 653 yards and 13 TDs.
Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said: "He wasn't a real vocal leader, but he was one of those kids that kids like to follow."
RUNNING BACKS
Tim Johnson, Del Sol (6-2, 205, Sr.) -- Explosive running back keyed the offense for the Sunrise runner-up Dragons. ... Finished with 2,725 rushing yards and 32 TDs. ... Had 22 2-point conversion runs and finished with 226 points. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region pick and Southeast Division Offensive Player of the Year. ... Had three consecutive 300-yard games ... Had a streak of 11 consecutive 100-yard games.
Del Sol coach Preston Goroff said: "We always felt like he was a threat to score. We would call run plays at the end of halves and he would score."
D'Angelo Jones, Foothill (5-9, 195, Sr.) -- Four-year starter finished as state's all-time leading rusher with 7,860 yards. ... Rushed for 2,511 yards and 34 TDs as a senior. ... Averaged 9.5 yards per carry. ... Finished the season with three consecutive games of 300 or more yards, including a 419-yard effort against Basic. ... Rushed for 1,079 yards in the final three games. ... Topped 100 yards in all 10 games, and had six games of 200 or more yards. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region running back. ... First-team all-state selection as a junior.
Foothill coach Marty Redmond said: "It was just an amazing performance to watch him run the ball as hard as he did and make guys miss. He's just a special, special football player. His vision and lateral movement and acceleration are just incredible."
Jimmy Sargent, Galena (5-8, 180, Sr.) -- Led Northern Nevada with 2,067 yards rushing. ... Scored 23 TDs. ... Also started at linebacker. ... Northern Region Offensive Player of the Year. ... Ran for 312 yards and four TDs against Reed in the final game of the regular season. ... High Desert League Offensive Player of the Year.
Galena coach Steve Struzyk said: "I never met a player that liked football more and had more pride in playing at Galena."
Eddie Wide, Cimarron-Memorial (5-10, 170, Sr.) -- Sunset Region Offensive Player of the year. ... Rushed for 1,702 yards and 23 TDs. ... Averaged 8.3 yards per carry. ... Had eight games of 100 or more yards, including three 200-yard games. ... Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year. ... Also started at cornerback. ... First-team All-Sunset selection at running back and defensive back. ... Had 20 solo tackles, three interceptions and two pass deflections. ... Also runs track.
Cimarron coach Ron Smeltzer said: "When we needed something, he could come up with the long run. He had the ability to break some tackles but also to run away from people."
WIDE RECEIVERS
Reggie Davis, Bonanza (5-8, 145, Sr.) -- The Bengals' top offensive threat finished with 55 catches for 906 yards and 10 TDs. ... Second-team All-Sunset Region pick. ... Had three 100-yard receiving games and caught 10 passes for 225 yards and three TDs in season finale. ... Also starts at point guard in basketball.
Bonanza coach Eric deYoung said: "He was a guy that anytime we needed a yard, he had it. If we needed 5 yards, he had it. If we needed a score, he had it."
Raveon Samuel, Canyon Springs (6-4, 195, Jr.) -- Rangy receiver finished with 55 catches for 920 yards and 13 TDs. ... Had terrific game against Foothill with 13 catches for 238 yards and three TDs ... Second-team All-Sunrise Region at receiver. ... Also starts on the basketball team. ... First year competing in high school football.
Canyon Springs coach Matt Jenkins said: "He comes out and has a breakout game against Foothill. The truth was, Foothill had nobody to match up with him."
Kyle Shaney, Reed (6-1, 180, Sr.) -- Led Northern Region with 44 catches for 1,049 yards and 11 TDs in just 10 games. ... Had seven catches for 130 yards and two TDs in a win over Galena to clinch the High Desert League title. ... All-Northern Region wide receiver.
Reed coach Ernie Howren said: "He did that against everybody's best corner. They knew they had to put their best cover guy against Kyle or he was going to have a great game, and he still had great games with their best cover guy on him."
TIGHT END
Dan Knapp, Reno (6-5, 220, Sr.) -- Outstanding blocker was named Sierra League Lineman of the Year. ... Caught 25 passes for 345 yards and five TDs. ... First-team All-Northern Region tight end. ... Has scholarship offers from UNR, Fresno State, Boise State, Washington, Oregon State and Idaho.
Reno coach Dan Avansino said: "He was as devastating a blocker at the high school level as I've ever seen. In terms of just devastating physical blocks, he's as good a lineman as I've ever seen."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alex Bair, Foothill (6-5, 265, Jr.) -- Big junior helped key an offense that averaged 39.1 points. ... First-team All-Sunrise pick at offensive tackle. ... Helped open holes for state's all-time leading rusher, D'Angelo Jones.
Foothill coach Marty Redmond said: "He was just a big body and can move people around pretty well. He was a kid we ran behind quite a bit this year. He opened up a lot of those holes that D'Angelo (Jones) ran through."
Conrad Burbank, Bishop Manogue (6-5, 275, Sr.) -- Three-year varsity player bounced back from a knee injury as a junior to have outstanding senior season. ... Northern Region Lineman of the Year. ... All-Northern Region offensive tackle. ... Also played defensive end.
Manogue coach Paul Mills said: "He played our quick-side tackle and pulled quite a bit. When you've got a big guy like that pulling, that's a lot of momentum going in the right direction for us."
Billy Durden, Galena (6-1, 211, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region offensive guard. ... Helped open holes for 2,000-yard rusher Jimmy Sargent. ... Also an All-High Desert League pick at defensive tackle.
Galena coach Steve Struzyk said: "Both (Justin Gates and Durden) were consistent week in and week out. You could always count on those two to give you 100 percent every practice and game."
Po'u Palelei, Bishop Gorman (6-4, 335, Sr.) -- Huge lineman was a force for the Gaels. ... First-team All-Sunset Region offensive tackle. ... Had 23 pancake blocks as a senior and 49 for career. ...Also saw time at defensive tackle, recording 21 tackles, including six for loss and three sacks. ... Selected to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl. ... Second-team all-state as a junior.
Gorman coach David White said: "He was the big presence on the line. It's good to have a dominating player on the line to move the pile around a little bit and create some opportunities for the running backs."
Neil Spencer, Cimarron-Memorial (6-2, 267, Sr.) -- Keyed an offensive line that helped the Spartans average 353 rushing yards. ... First-team All-Sunset offensive tackle. ... First-team All-State offensive lineman as a junior. ... Also wrestles.
Cimarron coach Ron Smeltzer said: "We moved him from side to side. We flipped him so that we were able to run to either side. He's got great quickness coming off the ball."
KICKER
Nick Rhodes, Cimarron-Memorial (5-10, 180, Sr.) -- First-team All-Sunset Region kicker had seven field goals, including a 45-yarder. ... Had 30 kickoffs for touchbacks ... Also started at inside linebacker and saw time at quarterback. ... Finished with 70 total tackles, including seven for loss. ... Threw two touchdown passes.
Cimarron coach Ron Smeltzer said: "With him able to put it in the end zone, it sure saved us a lot of problems as far as runbacks. And with the strong leg that he had, if we needed to, we knew that we could get him over that goal post, too."
KICK RETURNER
Robbie Garvey, Arbor View (5-9, 170, Sr.) -- In his second year of football, Garvey became a force on special teams. ... Returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and a punt for a TD. ... Also punted and served as the team's place-kicker. ... Started at cornerback. ... Also standout baseball player. ... Also competes in rodeos as a bull rider.
Arbor View coach Russ Malloy said: "He's tougher than nails. He just is fearless. He's the best return man I've ever coached and ever seen here in town, and I've seen some good ones."
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Tony Maldonado, Reed (6-0, 182, Sr.) -- Northern Region and High Desert League Player of the Year. ... Passed for 2,555 yards and 25 TDs. ... Was intercepted just six times. ... Also ran for 503 yards and five TDs.
RUNNING BACKS
Brad Blankenship, Sierra Vista (5-10, 190, Sr.) -- Rushed for 1,420 yards and 24 TDs. ... First-team All-Sunset Region selection. ... Southwest Division Offensive Player of the Year. ... Had eight 100-yard games. ... Sierra Vista Offensive Most Valuable Player. ... Also runs track.
Jerel Clark, Reed (6-0, 185, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region running back. ... Ran for 1,288 yards on 152 carries. ... Averaged 8.5 yards per carry and scored 13 TDs. ... Ran for 161 yards in Reed's final game.
Jeremiah Dotson, Shadow Ridge (5-9, 185, Sr.) -- In his first year as a starter, he totaled 1,576 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. ... Also started at strong safety and finished with 39 total tackles and a sack. ... Had eight 100-yard games and topped 200 yards three times. ... Also wrestles.
Joe Leon, Churchill County (5-10, 185, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region running back and kick returner. ... Rushed for 1,047 yards on 129 carries. ... Averaged 8.1 yards per carry. ... Scored 13 TDs. ... Rushed for 250 yards, including 71-yard TD, in loss to McQueen. ... Also had 75-yard punt return touchdown in that game.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Juron Criner, Canyon Springs (6-4, 180, Jr.) -- Another big receiver for the Pioneers, Criner finished with 34 catches for 789 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games. ... Had four catches for 99 yards and a TD in his team's first game. First-team All-Sunrise Region receiver. ... Also plays on the basketball team.
Chris Kelly, Las Vegas (5-8, 150, Sr.) -- Top receiving weapon for a balanced Las Vegas offense. ... Had 52 catches for 855 yards and 10 touchdowns. ... All-around threat also rushed for 208 yards and two TDs and served as the team's backup quarterback and top punt returner. ... Second-team All-Sunrise Region receiver.
Hank Thorns, Valley (5-9, 155, Sr.) -- Athletic receiver caught 48 passes for 820 yards and nine TDs. ...First-team All-Sunrise Region selection. ... Also starts at point guard for the basketball team. ... First-team All-State in basketball as a junior.
TIGHT END
Lyle Gardner, Churchill County (6-4, 235, Sr.) -- First-team All-High Desert League at tight end and defensive end. ... Caught 25 passes for 411 yards and three TDs. ... Strong blocker often led the way for Joe Leon. ... Co-Lineman of the Year in the High Desert League.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Michael Cosgrove, Desert Pines (6-6, 250, Sr.) -- Keyed an offensive line that paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region pick on the offensive line. ... Also wrestles.
Zach Falldorf, Bishop Gorman (Sr., 5-11, 255) -- Gorman's team MVP. ... Started on both sides of the line. ... First-team All-Sunset Region pick at offensive guard and second-team defensive tackle. ... Had 19 pancake blocks. ... Also had 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Joel Finley, Reed (6-1, 210, Jr.) -- Played center in Reed's shotgun offense. ... All-Northern Region and first-team All-High Desert League. ... Played guard as a sophomore.
Jonathan Gomez, Chaparral (6-5, 285, Sr.) -- Big lineman was first-team All-Sunrise selection at offensive guard. ... Didn't allow a sack all season. ... Blocking graded out at 96 percent. ... Also carries 3.4 GPA.
Kevin Rogers, Douglas (5-9, 191, Sr.) -- Undersized lineman earned All-Northern Region honors at offensive guard. ... Also first-team All-Sierra League.
KICKER
Chris Ewald, Galena (5-9, 165, Sr.) -- Played one year of football. ... Booted two game-winning field goals in the playoffs to help the Grizzlies reach the state title game. ... Hit a 27-yarder with one second left in a 39-36 win over Reed. ... Also kicked game winner with four minutes to play in a 23-20 victory over Bishop Manogue. ... Had five field goals on the season.
KICK RETURNER
Tyler Tintsman, Douglas (5-7, 155, Sr.) -- Returned four punts for touchdowns, three of them against South Tahoe. ... Averaged 28 yards per kickoff return.
DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM
DEFENSIVE LINE
Justin Gates, Galena (6-3, 240, Sr.) -- Helped key both lines for the Northern Region champs. ... All-Northern Region defensive end. ... Keyed a defense that recorded two shutouts and held three other teams under 10 points. ... Had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. ... Forced three fumbles.
Galena coach Steve Struzyk said: "Both (Gates and first-team offensive lineman Billy Durden) were consistent week in and week out. You could always count on those two to give you 100 percent every practice and game."
Lawrence Guy, Western (6-3, 285, Jr.) -- Big lineman was a force for the Warriors. ... Finished with 89 tackles, including 20 for loss. ... Had 12 quarterback sacks. ... First-team All-Sunset Region defensive lineman. ... Also started at offensive guard. ... Second-team All-Sunset pick on offense. ... Also wrestles and is a thrower in track and field.
Western coach Brian Murray said: "He's just so tough to block. Usually, two guys can barely do it. He would just penetrate for us and cause havoc in the backfield."
Sean Molina, Douglas (6-0, 187, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region defensive tackle. ... Moved from linebacker this season to help solidify the line. ... Sierra League Defensive Player of the Year. ... Helped key a defense that allowed only 119 points in 11 games.
Douglas coach Mike Rippee said: "He kind of did the dirty work and freed up the linebackers to play like they can. It's just a great story, the fact that he did what he had to (change positions) to help the team out and then excelled there."
Neil Spencer, Cimarron-Memorial (6-2, 267, Sr.) -- Two-way offensive lineman was driving force for Southern Nevada's leading defense. ... Had 49 total tackles, including 28 solo stops. ... Had 20 quarterback hurries. ... Sunset Region Defensive Player of the Year. ... Also started at offensive tackle. First-team All-Sunset Region pick on both sides of the line. ... Second-team All-State pick as a junior. ... Also wrestles and competes in track. ... Has committed to San Diego State.
Cimarron coach Ron Smeltzer said: "He was basically a guy who could clog things up and take on a couple blocks. He also had the ability to run to the ball."
Billy Winn, Las Vegas (6-4, 260, Sr.) -- Dominant defensive lineman was Sunrise Region Defensive Player of the Year. ... Finished with 81 tackles, including 10 for loss. ... Had 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region defensive lineman. ... Also wrestles.
Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said: "He's a kid that was a good athlete, but he made himself in the weight room. He could have just been a good athlete and become an average football player. He's unbelievably explosive from all the work."
LINEBACKERS
Nate Carter, Las Vegas (6-2, 215, Sr.) -- Defensive play-caller helped key the defense for the state champs. ... Moved from outside linebacker to inside for his senior season. ... Finished with 103 tackles. ... First-team All-Sunrise pick at inside linebacker.
Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said: "He's got phenomenal speed and great change of direction. He's a student of the game. He was constantly trying to learn the game."
Kawika Dean, Reed (5-9, 180, Jr.) -- An undersized linebacker who overachieved. ... All-Northern Region selection. ... Helped propel a defense that allowed 14 or fewer points in seven games. ... Led the Raiders in tackles.
Reed coach Ernie Howren said: "He had great intensity and focus to get to the ball carrier all the time. You could always count on Kawika that he would be flying around the field and making things happen."
Brent Koontz, Douglas (6-0, 215, Sr.) -- Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year. ... Sierra League co-Player of the Year. ... Made crucial interception in a 13-0 victory over Damonte Ranch. ...Recovered key fumble in a 19-12 victory over Carson. ... Returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in a 34-31 overtime loss to McQueen.
Douglas coach Mike Rippee said: "He was the man on defense. He was the guy you put in the middle that you expect to make the stops, make the big plays, and that's what Brent did for us."
Nathan Martinez, Del Sol (5-7, 180, Sr.) -- Southeast Division Defensive Player of the Year. ... Finished with 93 total tackles, including 21 for loss. ... Had five sacks, two forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown. ... First-team All-Sunrise pick at inside linebacker.
Del Sol coach Preston Goroff said: "He had an uncanny ability to get to the football. He's not a big, imposing guy. He really played above and beyond even as good as he thought he would be this year."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Corbin Brown, Spring Valley (6-0, 160, Jr.) -- Southwest Division Defensive Player of the Year was a force against both the run and pass. ... Had 104 total tackles, broke up 10 passes and made six interceptions. ... Also blocked a field goal. ... Saw time at receiver, catching five passes for 77 yards and three touchdowns. ... First-team All-Sunset Region. ... Ranked nationally among Superprep.com top 100 juniors.
Spring Valley coach Johnny Macon said: "He makes plays when plays need to be made. He was in the right position 99 percent of the time, and having that type of player is just great."
D.J. Campbell, Cheyenne (6-1, 190, Sr.) -- Two-way starter doubled as the team's quarterback. ... Finished with 61 tackles and eight interceptions. ... Returned four interceptions for touchdowns. ... On offense, he passed for 751 yards and six touchdowns. ... First-team All-Sunset pick at defensive back. ... Committed to California.
Cheyenne coach Charles Anthony said: "He was one of those guys that kind of stabilized the team. He did things right for us."
Archie Kovich, North Valleys (6-0, 170, Sr.) -- Sierra League co-Player of the Year. ... Intercepted 11 passes. ... Returned two interceptions for touchdowns. ... All-Northern Region defensive back. ... First-team All-Sierra League at running back. ... Rushed for more than 600 yards and averaged 35 yards per catch. ... Also a basketball standout who has topped 50 points twice this season.
North Valleys coach Jason Ehlen said: "He's the best athlete I've ever coached. He's a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He just had a phenomenal senior season."
Josh LaGrone, McQueen (6-1, 176, Sr.) -- High Desert League Defensive Player of the Year. ... Intercepted five passes, returning three for touchdowns. ... Also played wide receiver. ... Returned three punts for touchdowns. ... Caught 33 passes for more than 300 yards. ... Finished with 62 tackles. ... First team All-High Desert League at receiver and defensive back. ... Brother Matt plays basketball at UNR.
McQueen coach Ken Dalton said: "He's truly an outstanding athlete. He runs very well, he's a great tackler, he has unbelievable hands. He didn't come off the field."
PUNTER
Aaron Byers, Elko (6-2, 180, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region punter. ... Averaged 42 yards per punt. ... Also All-Northern League pick at kicker.
Elko coach Dan Chappuis said: "He was just a great weapon defensively. We were able to pin teams back and he saved us a great deal of field position. They were pretty much big, booming punts. He's got a big-time leg."
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Michael Cosgrove, Desert Pines (6-6, 250, Sr.) -- Big lineman totaled 89 tackles, four sacks. ... Also had two deflected passes, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region pick on both lines. ... Northeast Division co-Defensive Player of the Year. ... Named the team's defensive MVP.
James Hernandez, McQueen (6-1, 255, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region pick at defensive tackle. ... First-team All-High Desert League defensive tackle.
Popo Kilioni, Hug (6-3, 190, Jr.) -- All-Northern Region defensive end. ... Had school record 13 1/2 sacks. ... Recorded 62 tackles and recovered four fumbles. ... Forced three fumbles. ... Set a school record with 4 1/2 sacks against South Tahoe.
Foster Parnell, Centennial (6-0, 220, Sr.) -- Two-way starter on the line. ... First-team All-Sunset Region defensive lineman. ... Finished with 73 total tackles. ... Had eight quarterback sacks. ... Voted team's best lineman. ... Three-year letterman.
Trevor Worpell, Palo Verde (5-10, 230, Sr.) -- Two-way starter doubled as the team's center. ... Finished with 78 total tackles, including seven for loss. ... Made three sacks and broke up a pass. ... First-team All-Sunset Region defensive lineman. ... Second-team All-Sunset at center. ... Also wrestles.
LINEBACKERS
Allen McKinley, Reno (5-9, 205, Jr.) -- All-Northern Region linebacker. ... First-team All-Sierra League.
Brandon Marshall, Cimarron-Memorial (6-2, 200, Sr.) -- First-team All-Sunset Region outside linebacker. ... Helped key a defense that allowed an average of 5.4 points and recorded five shutouts. ... Made 27 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback sacks. ... Also had eight quarterback hurries and an interception. ... Started at tight end and also saw time at running back. ... Rushed for 341 yards and five touchdowns and caught six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. ... Also runs track.
Jesse Snodgrass, Galena (6-2, 210, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region linebacker. ... Made key interception in 23-20 victory over Bishop Manogue in the Northern Region title game. ... Also second-team All-High Desert League at tight end. ... Had 19 tackles for loss and four sacks. ... Had five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Korey Toomer, Shadow Ridge (6-3, 215, Sr.) -- Athletic linebacker finished with 99 total tackles, including 81 solos. ... Made eight sacks. ... First-team All-Sunset Region at inside linebacker. ... Also started at tight end, catching 18 passes for 302 yards and two TDs. ... Also plays basketball.
Paul Vassallo, Bishop Manogue (6-2, 200, Sr.) -- Recorded 100 tackles, including 55 solos. ... Had 14 tackles for loss and six sacks. ... Recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes. ... First-team All-High Desert League.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Drew Bernhardy, Bishop Gorman (6-0, 185, Sr.) -- Hard-hitting safety finished with 76 tackles, including six for loss and two sacks. ... Had five interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. ... First-team All-Sunset Region defensive back. ... Also saw time at running back.
Cole Hamzik, Douglas (5-11, 156, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region defensive back. ... Converted from tight end to safety. ... First-team All-Sierra League pick.
Colin Pretlow, Las Vegas (5-11, 165, Sr.) -- Three-year starter led Wildcats with seven interceptions. ... First-team All-Sunrise Region defensive back. ... Had 51 tackles and seven pass breakups. ... Also plays basketball.
Riley Rowe, Hug (5-10, 165, Sr.) -- All-Northern Region defensive back. ... Also first-team All-Sierra League at defensive back and wide receiver. ... Had 60 tackles and five interceptions. ... Broke up eight passes.
PUNTER
Kris Salvador, Mojave (6-0, 220, Sr.) -- Averaged 40.8 yards per punt for the Rattlers. ... Second-team All-Sunset punter. ... Also started at tight end, catching 22 passes for 428 yards and six TDs. ... Mojave team Most Valuable Player.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Faircloth, Las Vegas -- Guided the Wildcats to their second consecutive state championship, beating Galena 33-6 in the championship game. ... Faircloth's teams have advanced to the state championship game in all three of his seasons as head coach. ... Has compiled a 38-6 record.
