Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 10:14 a.m.
Marcel Johnson
QB, Desert Pines, Sr., 5-8, 175
Noteworthy: Classic case of contributions outweighing statistics ... added second threat to dangerous Desert Pines offense, helping Jaguars to first 4A state title game ... completed 130 of 230 passes for 2,061 yards ... tossed 22 TDs with only 6 INTs ... second team All-Sunrise selection ... first-year varsity starter.
Said Jaguars coach Leon Evans: "He was our big-play guy, able to ad-lib on the run and create on the run. He took a lot of pressure off Cornell (Johnson). Marcel's a huge reason we were so successful. At times, he became another running back."
Cornell Johnson
RB, Desert Pines Sr., 6-0, 200
Noteworthy: State's top running back dominated from the first snap of the season ... completed four-year stint with trip to state championship game ... rushed for 2,105 yards on 275 carries for 7.65 yards per carry average ... scored 37 TDs on the year ... college choices down to UCLA, Oklahoma, and Miami, with Bruins thought to be strong contenders ... will play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl this month.
Said Jaguars coach Leon Evans: (About attempting to replace Johnson next season) "No way. You're not going to find a kid his size with that kind of explosiveness and speed."
Melvin Matlock
RB, Centennial Sr., 6-0, 175
Noteworthy: The 4A breakout player of the year in Nevada ... expected to be part of two-back system, stepped up as feature back when Devin Patterson went down ... first-team All-Southern Section choice ... helped Centennial to undefeated regular season and Northwest Division title ... lightning-fast moves and able to hit small holes for big gains.
Said Bulldogs coach Greg Murphy: "Melvin was always a starter. He used to be more of a complementary back. (Putting him into the featured role,) that was a tough call on our part."
Nate Wederquist
WR, Foothill Sr., 6-2, 200
Noteworthy: The heart and soul of Foothill's offense ... recorded an unheard-of 130 touches (77 rushes, 53 receptions) on the season ... also threw two TD passes ... first-team All-Southern selection at both WR and DB ... receiving recruiting attention from likes of UNLV, Oregon State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Arizona.
Said Falcons coach Ray Fenton: "Not only was he our go-to guy in any situation, he was very effective as a decoy as well. He did everything we asked. You know where we're going to go, and you can't stop (him)."
Corey Williams
WR, Las Vegas Sr., 6-3, 180
Noteworthy: Area's top receiving threat came into his own as a senior ... will continue his football career at Washington ... All-South first team selection ... caught 64 passes for 995 yards and 15 TDs, all high marks for Wildcats ... led Las Vegas to Sunrise Region final.
Said Wildcats coach Kris Cinkovich: "I was really happy with his performance. (Playing defense,) that helped him, helped his toughness, and made him a more complete player. He elevated his game from the previous year. He looked like a Division I player."
Mohu Otuafi
TE, McQueen, Sr., 6-1, 214
Noteworthy: Second consecutive All-State selection at TE ... 2002 High Desert Division Player of the Year ... also a first-team All-North pick at LB ... one of two players to start three years in competitive Lancers program ... led Lancers in receptions (30), second in receiving yards (532) and tied for tops in receiving TDs (9) ... last of four Otuafis to play football at McQueen ... leader in Lancers unbeaten season, despite missing state title game
Said Lancers coach Ken Dalton: "There's a great family tradition. They absolutely love McQueen football. He is an exceptional athlete, and is one of our leaders. The team always looks to Mohu."
Pete Cavender
OL, Elko Sr., 6-3, 255
Noteworthy: Senior lineman capped excellent high school career by earning numerous honors ... second consecutive selection to All-State squad on offensive line ... in addition to first-team All-Northern Region honors, also voted Lineman of the Year for the area by coaches ... helped Indians to Northern Region semifinals ... team's only losses came to Reno and state champion McQueen.
Said Indians coach Bob Milligan: "(On the Cavender brothers:) We put them at tackle and they did great jobs. Pete got beat up and hurt his knee in the McQueen game, and still played with it in our last game after that. They're outstanding guys."
Jeff Cavender
OL, Elko Sr., 6-2, 255
Noteworthy: Another standout season for Jeff and twin brother Pete on the line for Elko ... versatile player for Indians, played guard, tackle and some tight end on offense ... also described as team's "best cover LB" by coach Bob Milligan ... earned first-team All-North honors on offensive line ... Nevada, UNLV, and Boise State in the recruiting mix for brothers ... Elko lost just once in regular season
Said Indians coach Bob Milligan: "They're the best two guys I've ever coached on the offensive line. Pete's a little more aggressive, but Jeff's probably a better athlete. They're really good kids."
Clint Stitser
K, McQueen, sr., 6-1, 188
Noteworthy: Far and away the best kicker in the state ... second straight selection to All-State squad ... field goal range extends 50 yards and beyond ... recruiting attention coming from Brigham Young and Fresno State ... also a major contributor for the Lancers in the defensive backfield ... game-winning, snow-covered FG versus Foothill in '01 state semis becoming legend in Nevada prep circles.
Said Lancers coach Ken Dalton: "Clint is as mentally and physically tough as any kicker I have seen. You don't see that too much with a kicker. His character is beyond reproach."
Josh Barrett
Returner, Reno Sr., 6-2, 205
Noteworthy: Along with Wederquist and Williams, one of the most dynamic players in Nevada ... 2002 Northern Region Player of the Year ... combining kickoffs, punts, and interceptions, returned an astonishing nine for scores ... ability to adapt to different positions, as coaches played him at RB, WR, LB, and DB ... getting recruiting attention from a number of schools, including UNR and Rice.
Said Huskies coach Dan Avansino: "He was just a breakaway guy. It's just those types of things -- any time he touched the ball, it was a momentum changer."
Rory Moore
OL, McQueen Sr., 6-2, 215
Noteworthy: Anchored solid McQueen line that produced more than 3,600 rushing yards ... tremendous two-way player, earning first-team All-North honors at both G and DT ... a leading tackler on the Lancers' defense ... helped McQueen defense allow fewer than 700 rushing yards ... one of just two Lancers to receive first-team recognition on both offense and defense, along with Otuafi
Said Lancers coach Ken Dalton: "We really considered Rory Moore as good a lineman as we've had at McQueen. He's a real warrior, and an exceptionally tough kid."
David Hales
OL, Las Vegas Sr., 6-1, 215
Noteworthy: Three-time all-division pick makes the All-State squad in final season ... first-team All-South at tackle, and second-team All-South on DL ... top-flight wrestler knows how to use his body to make up for smaller size ... widely respected for gritty attitude ... totaled 17 tackles for loss and four sacks on defense ... on offense, provided protection for one of area's best passing attacks.
Said Wildcats coach Kris Cinkovich: "Tremendous toughness, that's his No. 1 attribute. Every snap is played as hard as it can be played."
Mike Kravetz
OL, Durango Sr., 6-5, 295
Noteworthy: An imposing physical force on the Durango offensive line who impressed opposing coaches ... helped lead injury-riddled Blazers to Sunset Region playoffs ... key contributor to selection of RB Allen McIntyre to All-South team ... skilled tackle receiving widespread recruiting looks from UNLV, Nevada, San Diego State and Colorado State.
Said Blazers coach John Mausbach: "He's one of the best in the state. Every recruiter that comes on campus, they're loving what they see. They're commenting on his great technique, footwork and the way he gets after people."
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