Nevada Prep Report Football Preseason Top 10

Will Levi
NevadaPrepReport.com Publisher

That said, the rest of the state is looking to close the gap and there are a few teams out there that are ready to give the Gaels a run for the title.

Many teams will feature outstanding players on offense that have game breaking ability and the skills to change a game in an instant.

The overall defensive side of the ball with most programs have taken a step back with graduation losses and there are some questions to be answered with nearly every program but the potential is out there that this should be a very memorable season and here is a run down of the Nevada Prep Report Preseason Top 10.

Gorman's star lineman Jalen Grimble

1. Bishop Gorman 15-0 (Last Season)

Bishop Gorman had one of the most amazing defensive lines in the history of Nevada high school football last season but this year they should remain in the elite due to the return of four starters on the offensive line.
Last season, no one could take the physical pounding that the Gaels brought to the table week in and week out with the two Rons leading the way in Ron Scroggins and Ronnie Stanley. With these kids manning the edges, three year starter A.C. Patterson and Nick Strehlow ensure that there won't be a team in high school football with a better offensive front.
The team also returns All-State performers quarterback Jarrett Solomon and running back Shaquille Powell in what should be an even more explosive offense despite the loss of elite tight end Xavier Grimble. Trey Perry and speedster Ryan Smith should handle the receiving duties.
Defensively, star lineman Jalen Grimble leads the cast with tackle Jaylon Jackson moving to a full time starting role in the interior. The strength of the defense, however, will be the secondary. The return of super star Evan Zeger at safety combining with ultra athletic Togasii Peko and Mark Philippi give the Gaels amazing range and add run support that could see this defense not miss a beat.
Special teams was a big key to the Gaels taking the state title as well last year and the huge leg of Collin Ditsworth will keep team from making plays in the return game. His accuracy and kicking range is also very impressive as few teams will be able to keep the Gaels off the score board within 35 yards of the end zone.

2. Palo Verde 10-2

The Panthers also were hit with heavy losses with four year starter Tyrone Blake and Daniel Godkin among many that have moved on but the return of Brandon Wright and Dillon Chaisson give them two major building blocks.
The offense will be centered around the skills of Wright who became the teams top rushing threat last season. He is a playmaker in the passing game, on the run and as a returner with his blazing speed in the open field.
The team also has a potential superstar in Taylor Wooten in the wings but question about his eligibility are holding up his addition to the team. He is an elite caliber back that would make the Panthers very tough to defend this season. Without Wooten, the Panthers have some good options but not many game breaker in the cupboard leaving the offense with only one player that teams have to respect.
Defensively, the Panthers will be strong once again with Chaisson demanding attention in the middle of the field. His presence along with Doug Stoltz at defensive end and Thayer Coon at linebacker should provide very strong building blocks on defense.
This Panther team isn't a strong as the team featured the last two years on the field but they are capable of continuing the teams berth in the state tournament.

	Del Sol quarterback Troy Miller

3. Del Sol 12-2

Del Sol has made a habit of making it to the Sunrise Championship and got over the hump last year to face Bishop Gorman for the state title. This season they are in a bit of a rebuilding mode but feature some talented player to build the offense around.
Star quarterback Troy Miller returns this season after a great year leading the offense to provide stability. He has a strong arm and great athletic ability, he will need to be sharp from the beginning of the season to keep the Dragons among the contenders.
This year, the team will turn to a combination of Byron Stewart and Chris Marshall to lead the running game. Marshall was a late season star that has the ability to be a playmaker out of the backfield while Stewart is similar to last season's star Dezrick Reed. The combination should provide a great ground game but replacing star wide receiver Evan Weinstock will be a bit tougher. In the passing game, the plan appears to be to spread the ball around a bit more and the running back position should play a bigger role in the passing game this season.
The team will be strong on the front lines led by Keith Hill and Sy Hansell-Peko on a very impressive group on both sides of the ball. A year of maturity should have this group among the most impressive in the region.
Stewart and Jason Meuir will be the leader of the back seven who return good overall talent and athletic ability. The Dragons have a great staff that knows how to win and take advantage each match up, that will be a key reason this team will be in the mix for another state title.

Las Vegas quarterback Hasaan Henderson

4. Las Vegas 8-2

A first round playoff loss to Foothill ended the Wildcats season on a sour note last season but the end results should be an even more impressive Wildcat team in 2010-11.
Hasaan Henderson is a player that should be in contention for Nevada Player of the Year as a senior and is a monster of an athlete at quarterback. With a Vince Young like physic, Henderson is a threat as a runner or passer out of the backfield with the ability to score from anywhere on the field.

He will be looking to get the hands of playmaking receivers Marquan Major and Cameron Rogers. Each have blazing speed and have the ability to go the distance on any play. A tough cover in the open field, Henderson will be in position to possibly rewrite the record books as a junior with the weapons he will feature.
Returning in the backfield will be triple threat Farrell Victor. Victor is as dangerous as any back in the city and he will be spelled by Rodgers, I player that is among the fastest in the state.
Defensively, the Wildcats lack stability and were inconsistent but they should be vastly improved this season. The development of linebacker/defensive end Dominique Smith into an elite player will play a huge role as he is a player that has the ability to take over games.
Linebackers Braylon Mitchell and Jason Stetson can be outstanding while defensive backs Barry Williams and Dee Hall have outstanding potential.

5. Carson 9-3

Last season Carson surprised almost everybody with a breakout season. This year, the athletic Trey Jenson takes over at quarterback to lead a team that should once again be a top contender in the North.
Dylan Sawyers returns as one of the state's top juniors after an outstanding sophomore season. He should add to his impressive numbers this season and be the playmaker that opens up the rest of the offense behind a strong offensive line.
Defensively, this is a team that is in the rebuilding mode as they lost some key players but a solid nucleus of experience returns to allow them to gel. The offense will also be strong enough to carry the load in many games.

	Legacy lineman James Price

6. Legacy 11-1

The Longhorns have continued to get stronger and this is the year that should be a rebuild but the star on the line and a rising star in the backfield should keep them in contention.
The key players to this season will be linemen James Price and Jamarr Woods, both player that can change the game on defense. They are also dominant players on the offensive side of the ball.
The X-factor will be the play of linemen Shaq Mitchell, Albert Womack and Nathan Tuiatasi. Tuiatasi is a player that has the talent to be an elite player this season but his understanding of the game has to catch up with his body.
Louis McMorris is the player that will need to carry the offense this season from the running back position. He is a blazer that impressed as a sophomore and has the skills to offset the loss of a great player such as Deshea Edwards while putting lots of points on the board.
Defensively, the back seven lost all of it's key player on a top defense but the program is one of the speediest in the state. Although there is a chance for a slow start, an excellent defensive line and great athletes should offset the losses allowing this defense to once again be amongst the most feared.

7. Liberty 8-4

Years of struggles finally paid off for the Patriots and they aren't ready to head back to the bottom just yet. This year the Patriots return their most talented group yet and this is a team that is very capable of running the table this season.
Leading the way will be quarterback/defensive end Sam Tai who is ready to take his biggest step forward yet. A fearsome player off the edge, Tai handle the duties at quarterback with poise and confidence that allowed this offense to be a factor game in and game out as a junior. He is capable of making plays in several ways providing a fear factor in all facets of the game.
The offense will feature a triple threat at running back in the powerful group of Tyquandas Byrd, Niko Kapeli and Teu Tai. Each player has the ability to wear a defense down with physical play and Byrd is capable of being one of the most productive player in the state this season.
The return of P.J. Taeao and Senituli Fakauho give the Patriot two dominating big men in the middle of the line that can either blow up the hole on defense or turn around an be a road grader on offense.
Moving to the defensive beyond the line, Teu Tai and Spencer Hill-Hale will key another physical addition from the linebacker position. With the ability to provide pressure versus the pass, this team has a defense that is capable of causing turnovers and will be very tough to run the ball against.

Cimarron running back Christian Brown

8. Cimarron 9-3

There isn't many reasons to predict that Cimarron will be back among the elite with the loss of two elite running backs and outstanding player on defense but the potential of running back Christian Brown makes you wonder if they will skip a beat on offense. Brown is a player with great burst and athletic ability that will allow him to be very impressive this season in Cimarron's style of offense.
The team also adds former Meadow's star Gerard Martinez at quarterback with his ability to create offense from the quarterback position and outstanding size. The junior will need the receiving threat to step up this season but he has some athletic player with good size to get the ball to.
Defensively, defensive end Jeff Brewer, safety Brian Dover, linebacker A.J. Morrison, linebacker Attwood Duncan and linebacker Ares Manumaleuna will be depended on to keep the Spartans playing at the same level. As a group, they have great upside and size.
Overall, Cimarron is dented but the team they added enough new weapons and athletes to the mix that they should be able to challenge again for the Sunset Northwest Title.

9. McQueen 8-4
The Lancer still aren't going to be nearly as strong as the team that was featured two years ago but they are a tough group that can make some noise.
Moving to the forefront this year will be a running game that Nick Shepard. After nearly topping 1000 yards a year ago, Shepard is a year stronger and wiser out of the backfield.
With wide receiver Rollins Stallworth on the edge, the Lancers has a go to weapon in the open field but the team will be in need of developing a new quarterback to run the show.
Defensively, linebacker Tyler Pearson, defensive back Richie Childers and lineman Moses Katoa will led their respective positions. The Lancers are a team the play with the swagger and pride of a champion. The history of the program always plays a role and if they can find more depth on offense they could run always from the pack in the High Desert.

10. Canyon Springs 7-3

The Pioneers had a great run last season but ended with a first round loss in the playoffs that left a sour taste. Explosive, they put up great numbers under first year head coach Hunkie Cooper and this year that have a lot of great weapons to choose from.
Handling the running duties, Malik Brown is a player with good size and speed out of the backfield. He is a player that can work over a defense and should easily top 1000-yards this season.
The player that could make a run for MVP honors is quarterback Jamaal Martin. Martin is an excellent passer and tremendous athlete that can make things happen with his feet and his arm. He is a player that can get the ball in the end zone and is very heady.
When the ball need to go in the air, playmakers D'Vante Howard and Treyveon Edwards will be the key targets. Both can make plays in the open field and has a good skill set.
On the line, Galyn Graham and Darrius Brackens are among the best duos in the Sunrise. Both can get it done up front and brings good defensive skills to the mix.
Defense was the problem last year and is a bit of a question mark again versus the run. Linebackers Eddie Smith and Michael Gayden should led a group that has very good range from the position.
Cornerback Marquon Webster is on of the state's best at his position and he gives the team an excellent building block in the defensive backfield.