SMALL SCHOOLS: Mountain View reloads for most wins in program’s history
For some high school football programs, losing seven seniors to graduation will hardly change the team’s outlook from year to year.
But at the Class 2A level, where most players spend time on both sides of the ball, it can be a significant roster shakeup. That could have been the case at Mountain View, which graduated two-way starters Billy Paddack (linebacker/offensive tackle), Raymond Velarde (quarterback/linebacker), Dylan Martin (defensive end/receiver), Tanner Peterson (receiver/cornerback) and Nate Swingle (linebacker/offensive tackle) from last season.
Instead, the Saints have surged to the best season in program history.
Mountain View (8-2, 6-1 2A Southern) has the most single-season wins in program history heading into its Class 2A Southern League first-round playoff game against visiting Lincoln County (5-4, 4-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“These kids didn’t fall into the trap of, 'Are we going to be as good?’ or 'We don’t have all these guys,’” said Saints coach Ray LeBoeuf, whose team will host a playoff game for the first time. “They became a team in their own right, and I’m really proud of that.”
The Saints run a spread offense that incorporates A-11 concepts and averages 37.6 points per game, having topped 40 five times this season.
The engine has been senior running back Cortland LeBoeuf, who has emerged as one of the leading rushers in the state. LeBoeuf has rushed for 1,515 yards and 16 touchdowns after running for 743 yards and six TDs as a junior.
First-year starting quarterback T.J. Engel has provided the Saints with a balanced offensive attack. The junior has attempted every pass for Mountain View, throwing for 1,330 yards and 19 TDs with 10 interceptions.
Freshman linebacker Elijah Armstrong (80 tackles) is among a cast of newcomers on a defense that has only allowed eight total points in the past two weeks.
The Saints lost their first five games at the 11-man level last season, including four defeats by five or fewer points. Since then, they’ve compiled a 13-4 record.
“That’s a testimony to their hard work,” Ray LeBoeuf said. “It’s a lot of fun to see their hard work turn into victories and to have a home playoff game.”
Ray LeBoeuf said much has changed since Mountain View upset No. 1 seed Lincoln County 40-24 on the road in the first round last season. The Saints also beat the Lynx 36-16 at home on Sept. 19.
“I think Lincoln is improved across the board,” he said. “They’re tackling better. It’s a very well-coached football team, and they’ve got a proud tradition of a program that’s been there for a long time.”
Lincoln County coach Rich Ottley said tackling has been his team’s top priority in practice this week. Cortland LeBoeuf carried 15 times for 311 yards and three touchdowns in the regular-season meeting.
“They’re a real good team, but we’ve prepared the best we can,” Ottley said. “We’ll go in playing odd and even fronts; we’ll do our best to keep Cortland LeBoeuf in check.
“We’ve really focused on tackling, trying to be better tacklers and keeping better leverage and position.”
Lincoln County won four straight games in the middle of the season, but has lost its past two, including a 20-19 loss to Calvary Chapel at Mountain View last week.
“It’s do-or-die time,” Ottley said. “We’ve been prepping and doing what we think will give us the best advantage.”
In a 3A postseason opener, Boulder City (6-4) visits Virgin Valley (3-6) at 1 p.m. Saturday with a trip to a state semifinal on the line.
In 2A, Needles (5-4) visits The Meadows (8-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.
In 1A, Round Mountain (3-6) visits Pahranagat Valley (7-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, and Spring Mountain (7-3) visits Tonopah (5-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
