Nevada Preps: Top 5 football games to watch this week

All games begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

Bishop Gorman at Shadow Ridge

Shadow Ridge (8-1, 4-0 5A Desert League) has won eight straight games since losing to Snow Canyon (Utah) in Week 1, and most of those victories haven’t been close. But the Mustangs, No. 4 in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Class 5A rankings, haven’t played a team of the caliber of top-ranked Gorman and will definitely have their hands full.

Mustangs senior running back Trevin Young (105 yards per game) will try to make his way through a Gaels defense that has held opponents to an average of six points per game and has five shutouts. Quarterback Isaiah Ruiz rarely passes, but has added significantly to Shadow Ridge’s running game.

Gorman (8-1, 4-0), ranked sixth in the nation by MaxPreps, has no weaknesses. The defense has been nearly impenetrable, and quarterback Maika Eugenio leads a multitalented offense with 28 touchdown passes. With wide receiver Kaina Watson (92 yards per game) and running back Noah Cole (57 yards per game) in support, the Gaels could make it a long night for Shadow Ridge.

Bonanza at Clark

Clark (5-3, 3-1 4A Desert) fell 40-37 to SLAM! Nevada in overtime last week. The Chargers will rely on Andres Pollard, who has carried the team with averages of 78 receiving yards and 72 rushing yards per game and 17 touchdowns. Clark has scored an average of 46 points per game the past five weeks.

Bonanza’s passing game is less potent, so the Bengals (4-4, 2-2) will rely largely on running back Jordan Pickard (66 yards per game). Defensive sacks and tackles leader Ayden Morales-Coleman will attempt to contain Clark’s dangerous offense.

Clark would clinch a postseason berth with a win. Bonanza would need help from other league teams, but would stay in the hunt with a victory.

Palo Verde at Mojave

Mojave has won three of its past four games, and Palo Verde has dropped three straight.

Mojave (4-5, 2-2 5A Desert) has a defensive edge, but Palo Verde (3-6, 1-3) will counter with a balanced mix of running and passing yards. Running back Bryson Davis has averaged 60 yards per game, and wide receiver X’Zavier McZeal has an explosive ability to ignite his team. Freshman quarterback Stockton Baird has shown moments of leadership, especially late in games.

Mojave started the season 0-3 but has become stronger with each week. Quarterback RaJahn Butler passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 144 yards and two scores in last week’s 27-16 victory over Centennial. If he and wide receiver S’marion Coleman (eight receptions for 247 yards and two TDs last week) can continue their magic, Mojave will be tough to stop.

Mojave would clinch a postseason berth with a win, while a Palo Verde victory could result in a playoff spot depending on other league results.

Arbor View at Las Vegas, 7 p.m.

This game has been anticipated for weeks, as it matches perennial power and third-ranked Arbor View (7-2, 4-0 5A Mountain) against No. 5 Las Vegas (9-0, 4-0), the only undefeated team in the conference.

As usual, Las Vegas’ success will rely on the performance of dual-threat quarterback Tanner Vibabul. The senior has passed for 24 touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards per game. Dasean Deayon (15 TDs) is a playmaker and Vibabul’s favorite receiver.

Arbor View has won six straight after surviving a 56-55 overtime scare against Desert Pines last week, a game in which quarterback Thaddeus Thatcher passed for 315 yards and four touchdowns.

Friday’s winner will clinch a spot in the four-team Open Division state tournament, while the loser’s fate will be decided by other 5A results.

Virgin Valley at Moapa Valley, 7 p.m.

Rivalry games don’t get much bigger than this one, especially when battling for the league’s top playoff seed. Moapa Valley (6-3, 4-0 3A Southern) defeated the Bulldogs in the final game of the regular season last year before being eliminated by Virgin Valley (6-3, 4-0) in the playoffs.

Quarterback Koby Perry (157 passing yards per game) and running back Drew Dixon (127 yards per game) will lead a second-ranked Virgin Valley offense that scores most of its points in the first half.

The top-ranked Pirates, who have won six straight, will try to spark their high-scoring offense with the consistent play of running back Briggs Hickman (87 yards per game).

Defensive back Stetson Houston (seven tackles per game) will attempt to slow a Virgin Valley squad that has averaged 52 points the past five games.

Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.