2015-16 Flag Football Capsule Previews
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Amanda Roller, first season
2014-15 record: 11-8 (10-6 Northwest, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)
Top players: QB Taylor Howie (Sr.), WR Stacie Flores (Sr.), DL Brooke Rauh (Sr.), RB Melanie Ara (Jr.), RB/S Aelicia Taylor (Jr.), RB/TE Aira Pinpin (Jr.)
Outlook: Howie, who threw for 2,103 yards and 29 touchdowns last year, is one of the top returning passers in Southern Nevada.
Ara (1,709 rushing yards, 27 TDs), Taylor (1,265 rushing yds., 17 TDs), Pinpin (836 rushing yds., 13 TDs) and Flores (35 receptions, 452 yards, 4 TDs) give the Aggies a host of offensive weapons.
Rauh (121 tackles) should be among the leaders on defense.
"We are really excited for this season," Roller said. "As a new head coach, my goals are to continue a successful program, as well as incorporate some new plays and traditions. Our team goal is to make it further into postseason play than we have in the past."
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BASIC
Head coach: Dave Durham, first season
2014-15 record: 11-8 (10-6 Southeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Twelve (eleven)
Top players: Ali Kelly (Sr.), Monique Silva (Sr.), Sierra Dziewit (Jr.), Jasmine Bolanos (Sr.), Emery Martin (Jr.)
Outlook: Durham inherits a team that returns 11 starters after qualifying for the Sunrise Region playoffs last year.
"We are looking to build upon the success of the previous years," Durham said. "We will have good senior leadership and grow as a team."
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BONANZA
Head coach: Bruce Eubank, fourth season
2014-15 record: 4-14 (4-12 Northwest, seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (five)
Top players: QB Bree Hernandez-Silva (Jr.), WR Brittney Calhoun (Jr.), WR Ty Baskerville (Sr.), LB Miriam Bastida (Sr.)
Outlook: Hernandez-Silva threw for 1,400 yards and rushed for 1,800 yards last season. She's one of five returning starters for the Bengals, who also have offensive weapons in Calhoun (six touchdowns) and Baskerville (605 receiving yards).
"The kids are working hard, and I'm sure their work ethic and dedication will pay off," Eubank said.
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BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Chris Morelli, fourth season
2014-15 record: 22-0 (16-0 Southeast, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: QB/C Jeanne Carmell (Sr.), RB/LB Paige Buettner (Sr.), WR/LB Oshanna Remy (Sr.), WR/LB Kenadee Bailey (Jr.)
Outlook: Last year's Southern Nevada champions are 42-1 in the last two seasons.
"We are returning a great group of leaders who have been here since the beginning," Morelli said.
Carmell threw for 3,847 yards and 44 touchdowns last year and was intercepted only three times. Also among the returnees for the Eagles are Remy (70 receptions, 700 yards, 7 TDs), Buettner (119 tackles, 42 sacks) and Bailey (84 tackles, 4 sacks).
"The girls are really excited about the upcoming season and there is a good energy among them," Morelli said. "We do have some holes to fill in order to stay competitive in our league."
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Jonathan Hillmer, fourth season
2014-15 record: 6-14 (4-10 Northeast, sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)
Top players: WR/DB Destini Cooper (Sr.), WR/DB Yareli Trujillo (Sr.), WR/DB Leticia Godoy (Sr.), WR/S Amaya Youngblood (Jr.)
Outlook: The Pioneers return five starters and hope to contend for a playoff berth in the Northeast League.
Cooper (750 all-purpose yards) and Youngblood (350 receiving yards) are expected to be among the leaders on offense, and Trujillo (75 tackles) and Godoy (68 tackles) return to guide the defense.
"We have a nucleus of core returning veterans and some new talent that will mix together nicely to create a high-performing team," Hillmer said.
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CENTENNIAL
Head coach: John Roberts, fourth season
2014-15 record: 19-3 (14-2 Northwest, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (eight)
Top players: LB/WR Cienna Mendez (Sr.), S/RB Ashley Marshall (Sr.), S/CB/WR Courtney Reeves (Sr.), CB/WR Isabel Barilla (Sr.), S/WR Aliyah Wyrick (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs bring back 11 letter winners, including eight starters, from a team that won the Sunset Region championship.
Centennial held opponents to seven or fewer points in 12 games last year, and brings back many key players from its defense, including Mendez, who led the Northwest League in tackles.
"Cienna Mendez is the centerpiece of the defense, surrounded by Barilla, Marshall and Reeves, who have played their entire high school career," Roberts said.
Wyrick was the team's most potent offensive weapon last year. The Bulldogs will have a new quarterback in Halli Erickson, who guided the junior varsity to a one-loss season and a tournament championship.
"With the returning players, along with the additions from JV, we've set our goals to win the league and enter the playoffs with momentum to finish the season," Roberts said.
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CHEYENNE
Head coach: Anthony Johnson, third season
2014-15 record: 11-8 (9-5 Southwest, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (nine)
Top players: RB/WR/QB/DL LyiBrina Shelton (Sr.), RB/WR/S Girly Tambeagbor (Sr.), WR/RB/DB Angela Hammond (Jr.), QB Lilianna Cadacio (Sr.)
Outlook: The Desert Shields return nine starters from a team that qualified for the Sunset Region playoffs last year and could be a contender for the Division I-A title this year.
"This should be a breakout year for us," Johnson said. "With the speed we have, it should be a track meet every game."
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Mark Bailey, third season
2014-15 record: 19-1 (16-0 Northwest, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (five)
Top players: QB/TE/LB Rosie DelRosario (Sr.), LB Idalis Iniguez (Sr.), TE Logan Delong (Jr.), WE De'Shan Cambritt (Sr.)
Outlook: The Spartans return eight letter winners from a team that won its first 19 games before falling in the Sunset Region semifinals, but must make up for the loss to graduation of quarterback Jaymee Luke, one of the top players in Southern Nevada.
"We hope to continue on the successes we've had the past two seasons," Bailey said. "Of course we'll miss Jaymee Luke, but we're bringing back a good receiving corps and the heart of our defense, and we expect great things. We look forward to a fun and successful season."
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CLARK
Head coach: Matthew Moyle, second season
2014-15 record: 3-15 (3-13 Northwest, eighth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (seven)
Top players: QB/S Jasmine Brooks (Sr.), RB/CB Keyani Irving (Sr.), TE/LB Messeret Ibrahim (Sr.), WR/LB Erika Carmona (Sr.), WR/CB Destinie McGhee (Sr.)
Outlook: Irving rushed for 677 yards and six touchdowns, and Ibraham had 435 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Along with McGhee (180 receiving yards, TD), they'll be among the leaders on offense for the Chargers, who should show improvement this year.
Brooks (63 tackles) and Carmona (57 tackles, two sacks) will help guide the defense.
"We have a lot of returning players from last year's team so we expect to be able to increase on our overall win total as well as make the playoffs this year," Moyle said.
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DEL SOL
Head coach: Luke Campbell, second season
2014-15 record: 10-9 (7-7 Northeast, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)
Top players: QB Lauren Cranor (Sr.), RB Kalijiah Williams (Sr.), WR Estefany Gonzalez (Sr.)
Outlook: Cranor and Williams were All-Sunrise Region honorees last year and lead a list of seven returnees for the Dragons, who qualified for the Sunrise playoffs last year.
"The Dragons return multiple letter winners, including a pair of all-stars, and have a host of eager to learn new players who will make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball," Campbell said. "The Dragons will rely heavily on their senior leadership in hopes of making the playoffs for a second consecutive year."
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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," Ovens said. "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."
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DURANGO
Head coach: Richard Cuellar, third season
2014-15 record: 4-14 (3-11 Southwest, seventh)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)
Top players: DE Jamilah Rich-Manard (Jr.), C Ciena Cuellar (Sr.), WR Alexis Villanueva (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trailblazers bring back seven letter winners, including Villanueva (15 receptions, 120 yards, 6 touchdowns), Ciena Cuellar (12 receptions, 335 yards, 3 TDs) and Rich-Manard (6 interceptions) as they hope to make a playoff push.
"We want to keep improving and developing the girls to play and help understand the team sport, and hopefully develop team spirit," coach Cuellar said.
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ELDORADO
Head coach: David Ostler, second season
2014-15 record: 7-11 (5-11 Southeast, sixth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)
Top players: S Keiarra Draper (Sr.), TE Endrea Pope (Sr.), DE Allyson Navar (Sr.)
Outlook: The Sundevils return just three starters from last year's squad.
Ostler said he expects Pope and Cheyenne Coombs to be leaders on offense and Draper and Navar to lead the team on defense.
"This season looks to be a rebuilding year after losing so many contributors from last year's team," Ostler said. "However, cohesion should not be a problem as the majority of the junior varsity team has made the leap to varsity."
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Cynthia Guzman, fourth season
2014-15 record: 20-4 (14-2 Southeast, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (eight)
Top players: QB Jadyn McArthur (Sr.), OL Emily Russell (Sr.), S Sayonna Thunstrom (Sr.), LB Taeondra Johnson (Sr.), C Mariah Coleman (Jr.), S Janessa Montoya (Sr.)
Outlook: The Falcons return 11 letter winners from a team that finished 20-4 last season, with three losses coming to Southern Nevada champion Boulder City.
"We have a solid group of experienced returners this year who have pioneered this sport since they were very young," Guzman said. "Although losing top receiver Renee Ritchie and running back Marissa Brackett, we are filling those holes well."
McArthur threw for 4,522 yards and 53 touchdowns and rushed for 855 yards and 14 TDs last year. She should be one of the most potent weapons in Southern Nevada this season.
Russell caught 162 passes for 1,427 yards and 23 TDs last season.
The defense probably will be led by Thunstrom (119 tackles, 10 interceptions), Johnson (127 tackles, 20 sacks), Coleman (92 tackles, 7 INTs) and Montoya (61 tackles, 8 INTs).
"We look forward to building on the foundation of our program philosophy," Guzman said. "We hope to end up in the CCSD championship, one game at a time. We are anticipating a great season and look forward to playing schools outside of our region."
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: David Torrez, second season
2014-15 record: 14-6 (11-5 Southeast, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: WR Carolina Velasquez (Sr.), LB Brooklynne Fewer (Sr.), LB Alyssa Hildreth (Sr.), LB Carli Perkins (Sr.)
Outlook: Among the Gators nine returning letter winners are three linebackers in Fewer (126 tackles), Hildreth (117 tackles) and Perkins (65 tackles).
"We look to improve from last season with an emphasis on defense," Torrez said. "With a strong linebacking corps returning, we expect to challenge offenses every game."
Velasquez should be among the leaders on offense after catching 47 passes for 755 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
"The ultimate goal is a championship, but many pieces still need to be figured out, and we will have to rely on unproven talent to do so," Torrez said.
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LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Erick Capetillo, fourth season
2014-15 record: 14-6 (11-3 Northeast, second)
Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (seven)
Top players: LB Selena Rodriguez (Sr.), LB Lexia Brockett (LB), CB Kaila Barney (Sr.), WR/RB Alexis Benpard (Sr.), WR Anna Dobbins (Jr.)
Outlook: Brockett (104 tackles), Rodriguez (85 tackles, five sacks) and Barney (40 tackles, six interceptions) return to lead the defense, and Benpard (57 receptions, 802 yards, five touchdowns) and Dobbins (36 receptions, 400 yards, seven TDs) are back on offense for the Wildcats.
"After a second-place finish in the Northeast League last year, the Wildcats look to take over where they left off," Capetillo said. "Some key contributors graduated, like three-year starter Danielle Ruesch and Mackenzie McCoy. The Wildcats will look toward the leadership of linebacker Lexia Brockett, defensive back Kaila Barney and Alexis Benpard, a four-year starter on offense, to keep the winning tradition alive.
"Newcomers wide receiver Natalie Gennuso, linebacker Stacy Renteria and quarterback Sabrina Saldate look to add depth to the Wildcat roster."
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LEGACY
Head coach: Robert Nelson, fourth season
2014-15 record: 18-3 (14-0 Southwest, first)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (three)
Top players: RB Akia Williams (Sr.), QB Nicole White (Sr.), G Sabrina Farrow (Sr.)
Outlook: The Longhorns went 27-3 in league play the last two years, but the bulk of the players on those teams have graduated.
"We had a great, experienced team last year and have lost 16 seniors, but our junior varsity program was really good, undefeated in league, so we are looking to be just as competitive this year," Nelson said.
Williams rushed for 2,118 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 59 passes for 886 yards and 13 TDs last year. White is back at quarterback after throwing for 1,473 yards and 26 TDs last year.
"We have great depth and multiple weapons on offense," Nelson said. "Our focus in the preseason has been rebuilding a defensive unit that had been together for three straight years."
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LIBERTY
Head coach: John Diamandis, third season
2014-15 record: 8-10 (6-8 Northeast, fifth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)
Top players: WR Pualani Tuika (Jr.)
Outlook: The Patriots narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs last year, but has some work to do.
Tuika, who caught 14 touchdown passes last year is one of only four letter winners returning.
"The team is very young and inexperienced this year," Diamandis said. "We lost 14 seniors and three juniors who either moved or can't play this season. This will be a total rebuilding year."
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MOAPA VALLEY
Head coach: Brent May, second season
2014-15 record: 2-16 (1-13 Southwest, eighth)
Returning letter winners: Six
Top players: QB/CB Hattileigh Gordon (Sr.), RB/WR/LB Brighton Crawford (Sr.), RB/LB Amy Waite (Sr.), WR/LB Jordan Morwood (Sr.), RB/WR/LB Felicia Perez (Jr.), WR/DB Alexis Schraft (So.)
Outlook: Six letter winners return for the Pirates, who are hoping for better results this season. The creation of Division I-A for flag football should help the team be more competitive.
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SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Matt Nighswonger, first season
2014-15 record: 10-9 (8-6 Southwest, fourth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Ten (seven)
Top players: WE Maelle Vilon (Sr.), QB Victoria Tolle (Sr.), WR Samantha Milanovich (Jr.), DB Sophia Triana (Sr.), LB K'Tyra Burns (Sr.)
Outlook: Nighswonger takes over a team that brings back 10 letter winners.
"We are hoping to build on last season's playoff appearance," Nighswonger said. "We have some great student-athletes on the team. We are looking to make a run in the regional tournament."
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: Marcus Teal, fourth season
2014-15 record: 8-10 (5-9 Southwest, sixth)
Returning starters: Six
Top players: RB/LB Jozee DeCunzo (Jr.), QB/DB Michaela Hood (Sr.), WR/DB Madison Macove (Sr.), WR/DB Doris Gutierrez-Hoyos (Sr.), RB/LB Kelsey Adams (Sr.), RB/LB Mariah Ward (Sr.)
Outlook: The Grizzlies return six starters as they shift to the Division I-A Sunset League.
"The Lady Grizz return with plenty of experience to make a playoff push," Teal said. "With quarterback/wide receiver Michaela Hood and running back Jozee DeCunzo, the Grizzlies will work to improve their win total and get to the postseason."
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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Head coach: Chauncy Garbutt, second season
2014-15 record: 3-15 (2-12 Northeast, seventh)
Returning letter winners: Seven
Top players: QB/WR/DB Amy Locklear (Jr.), RB/LB Paola Juarez (Jr.), QB/RB Keloni Borja (So.)
Outlook: The Miners struggled to find consistency on offense last year and are hoping for better results this season.
"We are looking to build on the success of our school's turnaround process while fighting for a playoff spot," Garbutt said.
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TECH
Head coach: Joseph Vespo, first season
2014-15 record: 3-15 (2-14 Southeast, ninth)
Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)
Top players: QB Katy Orellana (Jr.), WR Avery Rayos (Jr.), DL Makayla Jennings (Sr.), CB Alondra Dolores (Sr.), WR Vanessa Villalobos (Sr.), WR Kristin Miller (Sr.), RB Rebecca Rivera-Pelayo (Sr.)
Outlook: Seven letter winners return for the Roadrunners, who are hoping to rebound from a difficult season.
"I want the defense to set the tone for our season this year," Vespo said. "With a strong senior and junior class returning, the Roadrunners will look to make a fast turnaround and contend for a playoff spot this season."
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VALLEY
Head coach: Jim Erikson, first season
2014-15 record: 10-9 (9-5 Northeast, third)
Returning letter winners (starters): Six (four)
Outlook: Erikson inherits a team that brings back four starters after finishing third in the Northeast League last season.
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WESTERN
Head coach: Jared Bennett, first season
2014-15 record: 0-18 (0-16 Southwest, ninth)
Outlook: Bennett inherits a program that is hoping to show improvement.
"We are looking to get better each day," Bennett said.
