Faith Lutheran star sets sight on Stanford

Don Pearson hasn't made an oral commitment to any college football program.

But the Faith Lutheran senior receiver has a good idea of his plans as the Feb. 2 signing day nears.

Pearson said he would accept a scholarship offer from Stanford and "commit on the spot" to the Cardinal if he is admitted to the school Wednesday.

"If I get accepted, that's where I'm going," Pearson said of Stanford. "Everything they've asked me to get, I've gotten and I'm above, but sometimes admissions offices do weird stuff, so that's why I'm talking to other schools."

In addition to being a coveted receiver prospect, Pearson is a polished student. He said he has a 3.3 core grade-point average and a 1,590 SAT score.

If accepted to Stanford on Wednesday, Pearson said he would take his official recruiting visit to the school in January. If not, he is still weighing offers from UNLV and San Diego State.

The 6-foot-3-inch Pearson caught 72 passes for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns this season to help Faith Lutheran finish 4-6, in the process earning first-team All-Northwest League honors.

■ HISTORY AT AGASSI -- Agassi Prep senior cornerback LeShaun Sims committed to Southern Utah last weekend, becoming the first player in program history to accept an athletic scholarship to a four-year school.

Sims had 52 tackles and four interceptions this season to help the Stars (7-3) reach the Class 2A state semifinals.

■ MORE DECISIONS -- Local seniors who signed with Division I schools late in the November period include Centennial baseball player Cody Clark (Hawaii) and Coronado tennis player Chrissy Uriarte (Eastern Washington).

Other seniors who recently made commitments include Rancho baseball players Michael Cruz (College of Southern Idaho) and Scott Koenen (College of Southern Nevada), Centennial softball player Mikayla Djordjevic (William Penn University, Iowa) and Bonanza softball player Emily Osborn (Montana State-Billings).

■ BUCK HONORED -- Foothill senior outside linebacker Keegan Buck was named the Gatorade Nevada Football Player of the Year.

Buck had 125 tackles, including 21½ sacks this season, on his way to Southeast League Defensive Most Valuable Player honors as the Falcons finished 10-2.

■ 3A AWARDS -- In Class 3A girls soccer, Boulder City's Deirdre Lowry was named state Defensive Player of the Year. Eagles forward Marquela Waldo and defender Miriam Hardy received first-team all-state honors, along with Virgin Valley midfielder Payden Knight.

In 3A boys soccer, Boulder City midfielder Trevor Montgomery and defender Ryan McQuillan were first-team all-state picks.

Girls volleyball 3A first-team all-state honors went to Boulder City middle blocker Emily Boyster and Virgin Valley utility player Nikole Hafen.