Silverado has a talented group of returning players from last year’s team that went 12-0 and cruised to its first state championship.
Brandon Tunnell ran for three touchdowns, and Silverado pulled away in the second half for a 42-7 win over Coronado in the Class 4A state semifinals.
Parking spots will be scarce when Liberty plays at Bishop Gorman in Southern Nevada’s high school football game of the year.
Coronado’s offense wasn’t sharp after a bye week, but its defense stifled the Basic offense in a 13-0 win in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.
The Sky League championship afforded Coronado, along with Desert League champion Silverado, Mountain League champion Las Vegas and Sky League second-place Shadow Ridge, a needed bye week.
The top four teams in Class 4A — Silverado, Coronado, Las Vegas and Shadow Ridge — have byes this week in the first round of the playoffs.
Coronado quarterback Joshua Andrade threw for three touchdowns, and Jaylen Garrison scored two TDs as the Cougars secured a first-round bye in the Class 4A playoffs.
Silverado, which has shut out its last two opponents, will host Desert Oasis on Friday. The winner will claim the Class 4A Desert League title.
Las Vegas edged Durango 10-7 on Friday to win the Class 4A Mountain League title and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Silverado remains No. 1 in the Review-Journal’s Class 4A rankings, but Coronado made a leap from No. 5 to No. 2 after beating last week’s No. 2 Shadow Ridge.
State championships: None
State runner-up finishes: None
Region championships: None
League championships: 2014, 2003
Last 12 seasons
2019: 5-6 (2-3 Southeast/fourth)
2018: 4-6 (2-3 Southeast/fifth)
2017: 3-6 (1-4 Southeast/fifth)
2016: 2-7 (0-5 Southeast/sixth)
2015: 3-7 (1-3 Southeast/fourth)
2014: 7-4 (3-1 Southeast/first)
2013: 4-6 (3-2 Southeast/third)
2012: 9-3 (4-1 Southeast/second)
2011: 4-5 (1-5 Southeast/seventh)
2010: 2-7 (1-5 Southeast/tied sixth)
2009: 3-6 (0-6 Southeast/seventh)
2008: 3-7 (1-5 Southeast/tied sixth)
Recent head coaches
Fred Biletnikoff Jr. (2019- ): 5-6, 1 season
Terry Riddle (2018): 4-6, 1 season
William Froman (2015-17): 8-20, 3 seasons
Brad Talich (2012-14): 20-13, 3 seasons
Lance Cooper (2010-11): 6-12, 2 seasons
Todd Stratton (2009): 3-6, 1 season
John Mannion (2008): 3-7, 1 season
Alex Moore (2005-07): 11-20, 3 seasons
Paul Berg (2003-04): 11-8, 2 seasons