SMALL SCHOOLS: Football Capsules
DIVISION III SOUTHERN LEAGUE
AGASSI PREP
Coach: Deumaine Reeder, first season
2011 record: 2-7 (2-5 2A Southern)
Returning letter winners: Seven
Returning starters: Two offense, two defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: Four-man front
Top offensive players: WR Kendrick Glinton (Sr.); G Gerrad Childs (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DB Kendrick Glinton (Sr.); DE Gerrad Childs (Sr.)
Key losses: QB/RB/DB/P Terrell Kemp; OL/DL Adrian Huling; OL/DL Jamal Holmes
Outlook: Reeder, a former Arena Football League receiver, has taken over for Colt Goodman, who left to become an assistant coach at Bishop Gorman.
Agassi Prep will switch from the spread offense to the pistol and from its old 3-4 base to a 4-3 defense.
Reeder said the Stars hope to reclaim their form from 2010, when they reached the Class 2A state semifinals during the program’s first winning season at the 11-man level.
“Our goal is to get back in the playoffs,” Reeder said. “We’ll be looking for a lot from our freshmen and sophomores.”
Glinton flashed big-play ability as a junior, and he’ll be counted on to help fill the void left by the do-everything Kemp’s graduation.
CALVARY CHAPEL
Coach: David Tautofi, second season (2-7)
2011 record: 2-7 (0-7 2A Southern)
Returning starters: Six offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-2
Top offensive players: RB A.J. Davis (Sr.); OL Kamen Kreilick (Sr.); WR Seth Kreilick (Jr.); G Shelby Clark (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB A.J. Davis (Sr.); DL Kamen Kreilick (Sr.); LB Seth Kreilick (Jr.); DL Shelby Clark (Sr.)
Top newcomers: OL/DL/LB James Gentile (Fr.); S/RB Alec Gomez (Fr.)
Key losses: WR/DE Bobby Buist; OT/DT Steven Shigley
Outlook: The Lions will look to build on a season that produced no league wins but saw the program open its own home field.
“There’s a lot to look forward to. I think the boys are hungry,” said Tautofi, a former UCLA defensive end.
Davis was among the team’s leading rushers last season, and Tautofi expects the senior to be a leader on both sides of the ball.
Tautofi said sophomore Riley Clark and junior Lucas Griebel are in a quarterback battle early on.
LAKE MEAD
Coach: Cliff Frazier, first season
2011 record: First-year program
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Daniel Hunter (Jr.); QB/WR Brendan LeBaron (So.); G Julian Korastinsky (So.); G Nick Kanapik (So.); QB Brock Ramsay (Fr.)
Top defensive players: LB Daniel Hunter (Jr.); DB Brendan LeBaron (So.); DT Julian Korastinsky (So.); LB Nick Kanapik (So.); CB Brock Ramsay (Fr.)
Outlook: Frazier, a veteran local coach previously at Basic and Calvary Chapel, will help the Eagles establish a new program.
Lake Mead could take its lumps this season, with only 19 players on its roster while jumping straight into 11-man play. The Eagles will play their home games at Henderson International.
“I like their hustle. I like the fact that they’re willing to learn,” Frazier said. “We’ve got a lot of learning to do, and that’s what we’re working on.”
LAUGHLIN
Coach: Jason Leonard, seventh season
2011 record: 5-4 (3-4 2A Southern)
Returning letter winners: 14
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Pro set
Base defensive set: 4-4
Top offensive players: QB/RB Corey Beggs (Sr.); QB/RB Averie Prosise (Sr.); OL JuQuan Lakes (Sr.); OL Anthony Nelson (Sr.); WR Justin Quibell (Jr.); FB Jake Hodges (Sr.); RB Christian Avery (Jr.)
Top defensive players: FS Corey Beggs (Sr.); LB Averie Prosise (Sr.); LB JuQuan Lakes (Sr.); DE Anthony Nelson (Sr.); CB Justin Quibell (Jr.); LB Jake Hodges (Sr.); CB Brett Smith (Jr.)
Key losses: OL/DL Carris Hoke; OL/DL Aaron Calvin; OL/LB Jackson Walton; RB/LB Colton Hill
Outlook: Leonard said the Cougars hope to be in position for a Division III Southern League playoff spot.
It will help having back Beggs, a dual-threat quarterback, along with Lakes, who earned second-team All-Class 2A Southern League honors last season.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Coach: Rich Ottley, 13th season
2011 record: 4-6 (4-3 2A Southern)
Returning letter winners: 12
Returning starters: Six offense, eight defense
Base offensive set: Doublg wing
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: RB Preston Avery (Sr.); RB Derek Cheeney (Sr.); OL Dakota Cluff (Sr.); OL Dyllon Cluff (Sr.); QB Ryan Rippetoe (Sr.)
Top defensive players: SS Preston Avery (Sr.); FS Derek Cheeney (Sr.); LB Dakota Cluff (Sr.); DL Dyllon Cluff (Sr.)
Key losses: G/LB Dallin Pearson; RB/LB Nic Hurst; OT/DT Jordan Davis
Outlook: The Lynx return plenty of experience from a team that clinched the final playoff spot out of the Class 2A Southern League last season.
Dyllon Cluff was a Class 2A second-team all-state defensive lineman last season, and he’s back to lead a defense with eight returning starters.
“I think our defense is really strong this year,” Ottley said. “Offensively, we’re a little more wide open. With Rippetoe at quarterback, we can throw the ball effectively.”
Avery was a first-team All-Class 2A Southern League pick last season, and he’ll pair with Cheeney to give the Lynx a dangerous ground game.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Coach: Mike Valenzuela, first season
2011 record: 6-5 (5-2 2A Southern)
Returning starters: Seven offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: Four-man front
Top offensive players: G Jared Taylor (Sr.); C Jerrod Wallace (Jr.); RB Matthew Larson (Jr.); RB Jacob Duldulao (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DT Jerrod Wallace (Jr.); LB Elijah Armstrong (Sr.); CB Jacob Duldulao (Jr.); LB Noah Van Kempen (Jr.)
Top newcomer: DT A.J. Kim (So.)
Key losses: LB/DB/WR/QB Trevor Van Kempen; LB/OG Joshua Killam
Outlook: Valenzuela has taken over after serving as an offensive assistant last season, when the Saints scored at least 42 points in four games.
“We’re not one of the fastest teams, but we’ve got four or five guys who can score,” Valenzuela said. “If our offensive line materializes into what it can be, I think we’re going to put pressure on people.”
Larson was a Class 2A second-team all-state pick last season after he rushed for 640 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 9.0 yards per carry. He should be able to find running room behind Taylor, who also was a second-team all-state pick.
NEEDLES
Coach: Dave Smith, second season
2011 record: 1-8 (1-6 2A Southern)
Returning starters: Seven offense, seven defense
Base offensive set: Wing T
Base defensive set: Multiple
Top offensive players: FB Mason Cisneros; RB Colby McCorkle; WB Jason Nevarrov; OL J.D. Lucas; OL Drew Phelps; WR Trent Prescott
Top defensive players: DL J.D. Lucas; LB Drew Phelps; CB Trent Prescott
Key losses: WB/CB Austin Baldwin; G/LB Brad Lewis
Outlook: The Mustangs missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002, and it was ugly. Needles was shut out three times and scored only 75 points on the season.
But Smith is optimistic as Needles begins the season with seven starters back on both sides of the ball.
“I’m looking for a lot of good things this year,” he said.
THE MEADOWS
Coach: Frank DeSantis, 13th season
2011 record: 8-3 (6-1 2A Southern)
Returning letter winners: 17
Returning starters: Six offense, six defense
Base offensive set: I Pro
Base defensive set: Even
Top offensive players: RB Chase Marrs (Sr.); WR Robert List (Sr.)
Top defensive players: S Chase Marrs (Sr.); S Robert List (Sr.); DT Mark Woodson (So.); DE Jin Chung (Sr.)
Top special teams players: K Tommy Halkyard (Fr.)
Key losses: QB Garrett Gosse; WR/DB Max Newman; WR/DB Richard Lee
Outlook: The Mustangs enter a new era without Gosse and Newman, who formed one of the most prolific quarterback-receiver tandems in state history.
Marrs will likely see an increased workload as The Meadows begins to rely more on its rushing attack.
The Meadows reached the Class 2A state semifinals last season, and DeSantis said he hopes his young team can return to the playoffs. The Mustangs haven’t missed the postseason since 2003.
WHITE PINE
Coach: James Williams, first season
2011 record: 11-1 (7-0 2A Southern)
Outlook: The Bobcats will try to build on their most successful season in decades. White Pine fell one win shy of the program’s first state title since 1968 last season.
The Bobcats must replace center and defensive tackle Christopher Hibbs, who was named Class 2A State Lineman of the Year, along with versatile running back Devante Valencia, who was voted 2A Southern League Offensive Most Valuable Player.
Other standouts the Bobcats must replace include quarterback Josh Ashby, linebacker Clay Mauro and receiver Levi Valdez.
DIVISION IV SOUTHERN LEAGUE
BEATTY
Coach: Leo Verzilli, first season
2011 record: 3-4 (2-4 1A Southern)
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Split backfield/Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: QB Jacob Zamora; RB Luis Flores; FB Nick Soto; OL Levy Reed; OL Carlos Gomez
Top defensive players: LB Jacob Zamora; S Luis Flores; LB Nick Soto; DE Levy Reed; DL Carlos Gomez
Key losses: C/DE Ivan Hernandez; RB/LB Brandon Villanueva; WR/QB Dakota Dawson
Outlook: Verzilli, who served as a Beatty assistant last season, has taken over as the Hornets’ sixth coach in six years.
He’ll have his work cut out for him with only 14 players out for the team early on while playing in a league that includes eight-man powers Pahranagat Valley and Spring Mountain.
Beatty hasn’t made the playoffs since its state-title winning season of 1996, when it was a member of Class 2A.
If the Hornets are to make a playoff run, it will likely have a lot to do with the athletic Zamora.
“We’re kind of forming everything around him,” Verzilli said. “We’re going to throw a little bit more because we have him.”
INDIAN SPRINGS
Coach: Sope Faga, 19th season
2011 record: 3-5 (1-5 1A Southern)
Returning letter winners: Nine
Returning starters: Two offense, three defense
Base offensive set: I form
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: RB Devin Jackson (Sr.); QB Troy Heath (Jr.)
Top defensive players: DB Devin Jackson (Sr.); DB Troy Heath (Jr.)
Top newcomer: DE/TE Tristan Thomas (So.)
Key losses: WR/DB Xavier Pena; OL/DL Brock Roadhouse; OL/DL Junior Faga
Outlook: Sope Faga said running a ball-control offense and sustaining drives will be key toward the Thunderbirds’ success.
Indian Springs has to replace the explosive Pena, but Jackson is a playmaker who can help fill the void.
Heath enters his second full season as a starter, and Sope Faga said the junior signal caller has continued to improve.
“Our offense is on (Heath’s) shoulders,” Sope Faga said. “He’s worked hard to improve his arm strength. One of his best qualities is leadership skills.”
PAHRANAGAT VALLEY
Coach: Ken Higbee, 18th season
2011 record: 12-0 (6-0 1A Southern)
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: I pro/Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3
Top offensive players: QB Austin Poulsen (Sr.); RB Tyler Higbee (Sr.); TE Mason Stirling (Sr.); TE Tyson Sparrow (Sr.); C Mathew Roemer (Sr.); G Jake Carter (Jr.); WR Jeremy Minick (So.); OL Utah Ray (So.); OL Shota Ray (Sr.); RB Wade Leavitt (So.)
Top defensive players: CB Austin Poulsen (Sr.); LB Tyler Higbee (Sr.); DE Mason Stirling (Sr.); LB Tyson Sparrow (Sr.); LB Mathew Roemer (Sr.); LB Jake Carter (Jr.); CB Jeremy Minick (So.); DE Utah Ray (So.); DL Shota Ray (Sr.); CB Wade Leavitt (So.)
Top newcomer: RB/CB Shawn Wadsworth (Fr.)
Key losses: RB/CB Chase Hansen; TE/LB Kade Wadsworth; C/NG Andy Linares; OL/DL Brandon Carter; TE/DE Derek Hansen
Outlook: The Panthers return the ultra-productive Poulsen from a team that won its fourth straight Class 1A state title, and they’ll enter the season riding a state-record 46-game winning streak.
Pahranagat Valley outscored opponents 792-99 last season, including a 42-0 rout of Carlin in the state final.
Poulsen was named 1A Southern League Co-Most Valuable Player last year, when he completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 1,930 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four interceptions, and rushed for 994 yards and 30 TDs.
Poulsen also was a standout cornerback, logging 53 tackles and seven interceptions.
“He’s really a special player,” Ken Higbee said of Poulsen. “He’s got wheels and throws a pretty nice ball.”
Poulsen will be joined in the backfield by Tyler Higbee, who rushed for 970 yards and 18 TDs last season.
The Panthers’ rushing attack amassed 65 touchdowns last year, and it could be even more impressive in 2012 with Poulsen and Higbee returning.
ROUND MOUNTAIN
Coach: Jim Swigart, 11th season
2011 record: 6-4 (4-2 1A Southern)
Returning letter winners: 15
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Pro set/Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3/3-3
Top offensive players: QB/WR Serjio Chavez (Sr.); RB Mitchell Doheny (Sr.); FB Emitt Davis (Sr.); OL Caden Thomsen (Jr.); OL Kyle Younglove (Sr.); OL Johnathan Grim (So.); WR/QB Powell Burggraff (Jr.); TE/RB Jordan Rangitch (Sr.); TE Cole Shrider (Sr.)
Top defensive players: DB Serjio Chavez (Sr.); DB Mitchell Doheny (Sr.); LB Emitt Davis (Sr.); DL Caden Thomsen (Jr.); DL Kyle Younglove (Sr.); DL Johnathan Grim (So.); DB Powell Burggraff (Jr.); DE Jordan Rangitch (Sr.); DE/LB Cole Shrider (Sr.)
Key losses: WR/DB Trace Millard; RB/LB Jake Smith; RB/LB Shon Larabie
Outlook: Swigart is excited about the veteran talent he has returning from a team that took third in the Class 1A Southern League last season.
Chavez and Doheny are back to lead a vaunted ground game. Doheny rushed for 1,064 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, and Chavez added 590 yards and 11 TDs rushing.
“They’re great kids, they’re great athletes and they’ve been working real hard,” Swigart said.
SANDY VALLEY
Coach: Brett Kramer, first season
2011 record: 1-7 (0-6 1A Southern)
Returning starters: Four offense, four defense
Base offensive set: Double wing/Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3
Top offensive players: TE Jeremy Barnes (Sr.); TE/QB Darby Wadley (Sr.); QB Lane Eastham (So.); G Nathaniel Carter (Sr.); G Garrett Sellers (So.)
Top defensive players: LB Jeremy Barnes (Sr.); LB Darby Wadley (Sr.); CB Lane Eastham (So.); DE Nathaniel Carter (Sr.); LB Garrett Sellers (So.)
Key losses: RB/LB Randal Spencer; QB/CB Ryan Hagan; OL/DL Brandon Hughes
Outlook: The Sidewinders are a combined 4-24 over the past four years, but Kramer, who served as the team’s defensive coordinator last season, likes the direction of the program.
“Our passing game has made progress from recent years, but we still have a long way to go to shore up our run game and keep improving defensively,” he said.
SPRING MOUNTAIN
Coach: Aaron Masden, fifth season
2011 record: 8-2 (5-1 1A Southern)
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-3
Top offensive players: QB/RB Marcus Thomas; OL Josh Baniask; RB Bruce Travis Collins; TE Markus Alston
Top defensive players: DL Josh Baniask; LB Bruce Travis Collins; DE Markus Alston
Outlook: Spring Mountain never has returning players because students are in the Clark County Department of Juvenile Justice Services program, and spend an average of six months at the youth camp.
However, last season ranked among the most successful in program history, and Masden said it has provided an example for players to shoot for. The Eagles won their first-ever home playoff game last season to reach the Class 1A state semifinals.
Many of Spring Mountain’s players have never played organized sports before they reach the camp, but Masden has guided the Eagles to the playoffs three consecutive years.
“We feel we have a good group of kids,” Masden said. “If they work hard, they can put us right back in a spot with an opportunity to play for championships. That’s what we’re looking forward to every day.”
TONOPAH
Coach: Duffy Otteson, fourth season (15-16)
2011 record: 4-6 (3-3 1A Southern)
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Pistol
Base defensive set: 3-3
Top offensive players: QB Seth Littlefield (Sr.); WR Spencer Littlefield (Sr.); OL Aden Gromis (Sr.); TE Derek Otero (Sr.); RB Jason Carmon (Jr.)
Top defensive players: LB Seth Littlefield (Sr.); DB Spencer Littlefield (Sr.); DL Aden Gromis (Sr.); DE Derek Otero (Sr.); DB Jason Carmon (Jr.)
Top newcomer: FB/LB Matt Misner (Jr.)
Key losses: TE/LB Taylor McLauchlin; TE/LB Emitt Davis
Outlook: Otteson said the Muckers have a solid core of veterans returning, although depth is a concern early on.
Seth Littlefield is back to lead the offense after rushing for 1,119 yards and 12 touchdowns and passing for 716 yards and 13 TDs as a junior.
Gromis racked up 61 tackles and 13 sacks last season, and he returns to anchor the defensive line.
