Jackson, Bader take top individual honors

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 | 10:58 a.m.

The 2000 prep football season belonged to the McQueen Lancers, from their unbeaten romp through the regular season to their dominant charge through the playoffs en route to winning the 4A state championship.

The Lancers finished 14-0 and were never threatened, outscoring their opponents by the combined score of 615-73.

So it should come as no surprise that when the Sun selected its 2000 All-State football team, McQueen led the way, placing six players on the first team, including the Defensive Player of the Year.

That honor went to Lancer linebacker Ryan Bader, captain of a ferocious defense that allowed just 5.2 points per game and pitched seven shutouts.

Joining Bader in representing McQueen on the honor squad are offensive guard Matt Leary, offensive tackle Bryan Davidson, defensive lineman Dustin Barnett, defensive back Cory Galli and kicker/punter Graham Siderius.

Eldorado's Steven Jackson took home the Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the state with 2,764 yards and 34 touchdowns and helping the Sundevils to a berth in the state playoffs.

Desert Pines' Gary Findley was selected Coach of the Year, beating out McQueen's Ken Dalton and Basic's Cliff Frazier, among others. After going 0-7 in their inaugural season in 1999, Findley's Jaguars finished 8-3 and won a playoff game in 2000.

State runner-up Wooster was close behind McQueen with four first-teamers: offensive tackle Brett Jones, linebacker Shawn O'Daye, defensive back John James and return specialist Derek McNeil. Cimarron-Memorial, which went 11-1 after capturing back-to-back state titles in 1998 and '99, placed three players on the first team: center Brandon Garcia, defensive lineman Chase Spencer and defensive back Kyler Rushton.

Bishop Gorman's Dyante Perkins earned the nod at quarterback, with the option-style signal caller beating out drop back passers Jared Uppendahl of South Tahoe and Mark Rose of Basic. Making the first team at receiver were Basic's Nate Lord and South Tahoe's Immanuel Williams, who both eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards. Elko guard Pete Cavender rounded out the first-team offensive line, with Desert Pines' Antonio Williams making the squad at tight end.

Las Vegas' Jacob Hales joined Spencer and Barnett on the first-team defensive line, with Cheyenne's Kevin Thomas and Palo Verde's Joe Liles filling out the linebacker corps with Bader and O'Daye. Valley's James Sims was selected at defensive back, along with Rushton, Galli and James.

The all-state team was selected by the Las Vegas Sun, with input from coaches statewide and several media outlets, including the Sparks Tribune and NevPrep.com.