Senior leadership has Eagles shooting for state crown
Boulder City football coach Alex Kazel hasn’t had to look hard for senior leadership this season.
The Eagles, with 20 seniors on their roster, hope it eventually pays off with their first state title since 1991.
It starts with team captains Devin Combs, Steven Kaposta, Preston Swasey and Ryan Washburn.
“Ryan and Preston talk a little more; Steven and Devin do it by the way they play, from the snap until the whistle blows,” Kazel said. “They lead in their own way a little differently, which helps because we don’t have one guy doing all of it.”
Kaposta has embraced his role of leader by example.
“I think some people look up to me,” he said. “I take that and strive off it.”
Boulder City (2-2) begins a four-game home stretch against Sunrise Mountain (1-3) at 7 p.m. Friday.
After facing Sunrise Mountain, a first-year Class 4A school with no seniors that plays an independent schedule, the Eagles will host former 3A Southern League foe Faith Lutheran and Eldorado. They lost 26-0 to rival Basic to open the season.
With only two league opponents, Kazel is trying to prepare his team for the postseason by scheduling more difficult games outside of league play.
“Games like this where we’re playing 4A schools are going to make us better,” Kazel said. “Playing up is great for us. It makes us tougher.”
Combs has carried the Eagles’ offense through the first four games. The 5-foot-7-inch, 170-pound running back has rushed for 384 yards and two touchdowns on 59 attempts.
Kaposta, a 5-9, 175-pound linebacker, leads the defense with 47 tackles and four sacks.
Both players dream of capping their careers with a 3A state title. Though the Eagles have a proud history of 11 state championships, they haven’t won one since taking the 2A crown 18 years ago.
“That’d be huge,” Combs said of a potential state title. “It hasn’t been done for a while, and I think people get excited. It brings the community together.”
The Eagles’ offense also has been keyed by senior quarterback Ross LaMarca (398 yards passing, five TDs).
Swasey has been productive at both tight end (eight receptions, 213 yards, two TDs) and linebacker (32 tackles, two sacks).
“We have leaders that motivate everyone else,” Combs said.
Boulder City doesn’t begin league play until Oct. 16 against Moapa Valley.
The regular-season league champion will earn an automatic trip to the 3A state semifinals, whereas the second- and third-place teams will meet in an elimination game Nov. 7.
“That for us is a big goal so we can get the first week off, get guys healthy and get time to prepare,” Kazel said of winning league. “It’s a huge advantage to whoever wins it.”
Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley have combined to win the past three 3A state titles, but Kaposta is confident the Eagles can break through.
“We’d like to take state,” he said. “I think this is our team; this is our year.”
