2017 Moapa Valley Football Capsule

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Brent Lewis, 16th season (135-46)

2016 record: 7-4 (3-1 Sunrise League, second)

Returning lettermen: 12

Returning starters: Six offense, six defense

Base offensive set: Wing-T spread

Base defensive set: Odd front

Top offensive players: RB Braeden St. John (Jr.); WR Derek Reese (Jr.); QB Daxton Longman (Sr.)

Top defensive players: LB Leo Rios (Jr.); LB Logan Jackson (Sr.); LB Derek Reese (Jr.)

Key losses: RB Jacob Leavitt

Outlook: The Pirates are a perennial state contender, and this year should be no different.

Moapa Valley lost to eventual state champion Desert Pines in the state quarterfinals last season and must replace one of the state’s top running backs in Leavitt, who rushed for 1,547 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Led by Rios in the middle, the Pirates return a standout linebacker crew and defense.

“We want to win our league title first, but we plan on challenging for a state championship,” Lewis said. “That’s what we expect every year.”