2015-16 Desert Oasis Flag Football Capsule
DESERT OASIS
Head coach: Michael Ovens, first season
2014-15 record: 13-6 (11-5 Northwest, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (eight)
Top players: WR Cassie Chesler (Sr.), DL Savannah Rush (Sr.), DB Gemma Perez (Sr.), QB Kylee Bauer (Sr.), WR Kaelyn Bennett (Jr.), LB Alexis Mora (Jr.), LB Alyssa Chaulta (Jr.), RB Izriah Hodson (So.), CB Briana Viloria (Sr.), WR Aniyah Reed (So.), WR Lillyan Ganhem (Fr.)
Outlook: The Diamondbacks return one of Southern Nevada's top offensive weapons in Bauer, who threw for 3,610 yards and 39 touchdowns and rushed for 502 yards and 11 TDs last season.
Hodson (1,028 rushing yards, 12 TDs; 35 receptions, 307 yards), Chesler (14 receptions, 263 yards, 3 TDs) and Bennett (21 receptions, 322 yards, 3 TDs) also should contribute offensively.
Rush (106 tackles, 5 sacks), Mora (80 tackles, 27 sacks), Chaulta (68 tackles, 9 sacks), Perez (6 interceptions) and Viloria (4 interceptions) should be among the leaders on defense.
"We have a nice mixture of veteran returning starters with some younger players," said Ovens. "I like the make up of our team, blending some youth with some athletic players and their quickness.
"Our league is extremely tough, so we'll have to match our opponent's intensity each night we play. We'll bring an uptempo offense and try to be active around the flag on defense, and get our team running to the ball."
