Columnist Spencer Patterson: Catching up with top local football prospects

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 3:53 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports column appears Thursday. Reach him at 259-4085 or by e-mail at spencer@lasvegassun.com

Basketball, baseball and softball briefly took center stage with the start of the NCAA's early signing period, but a quick look outside confirms what we already knew: It's still football season.

The start of the football signing period may still be three months away, but it's never too early to check in with the area's top pigskin prospects, namely Eldorado's Steven Jackson, Bishop Gorman's Dyante Perkins and Valley's James Sims.

For Jackson, a bruising 6-1, 210-pound running back, the 2000 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite coming in with huge expectations, the Sundevil has not disappointed, racking up an area-best 2,068 yards in 10 games.

At the moment, a pair of Pac-10 schools -- Oregon State and Arizona State -- are in hot pursuit, with UNLV, Tennessee and Nebraska among others still in the mix. The Beavers may have the inside track, with Jackson scheduled to visit Corvallis this weekend.

Perkins, a 6-1, 220-pounder, has also been a force throughout the fall, starring on both sides of the ball for the Gaels. Though most of his notoriety stems from his job as the team's starting quarterback, Perkins is being recruited primarily as a defensive player, with most schools projecting him as an outside linebacker.

Oregon State offered both Perkins and Gorman tailback Jason Rogers scholarships last summer, when Gorman participated in a camp at the Pac-10 university. But with Colorado, Colorado State and Arizona among a pack of schools still very interested, Perkins has opted to wait until after the season to weigh his options and take his trips.

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect in town is Sims, a 6-2, 185-pounder who stars at running back and cornerback for the Vikings. The defending 4A state champion in the triple jump, he is being recruited in both sports, with some schools offering him the opportunity to play both.

At the top of Sims' wish list is Notre Dame, though the Fighting Irish are not likely to allow the talented triple jumper to play football and risk injury. Washington has already offered him a full ride in football, with several other Pac-10 schools waiting in line behind the Irish and Huskies for a chance to nab him.

In volleyball, defending state champion Churchill County is favored to take the title again this weekend in Reno.

Southern Nevada representatives Durango, Green Valley, Silverado, Centennial and Valley will look to become the first local state champion since the Trailblazers in 1997.

In soccer, Northern Region champion Reed comes to town for its semifinal showdown against Green Valley, with the Raiders already possessing a major advantage. The Gators will be without four key players -- Tyson Miller, Greg Allen, Chris Henderson and Rene Diaz -- all of whom were ejected from the team's Sunrise Region tournament win over Chaparral last week.

In Friday's other semifinal, Sunset champion Durango takes on South Tahoe, last year's 4A state runner-up.