BC has easier road to 3A playoffs

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Boulder City

All games 7 p.m.

For the first time in three years, Boulder City will kick off its football season Friday night knowing it won't have to win its conference to qualify for state.

The 2002 campaign will mark the only time in a four-year rotation concluding next season that the Southern League will send two teams to the 3A State Tournament.

The only problem is to claim one of those spots, the Eagles will need to finish ahead of either Moapa Valley or Virgin Valley. And that's a mighty tall order considering the Vikings have played in the 3A title game three years running, and the Bulldogs haven't lost to Boulder City since the early 1990s.

"It won't be easy," Eagles coach Jeff Knutson said. "We have to play Moapa and Virgin twice each this year, and there's not a gimme on our schedule."

Knutson's squad opens with a non-league home game against Palo Verde (Calif.) Friday at 7 p.m. The Eagles went 3-6 in their coach's first season a year ago, but are optimistic with eight starters back on each side of the ball.

"The kids are enthusiastic. There's a good sense of excitement about the season," Knutson said. "We only had five seniors on the team last year, so we've got a lot of kids back and they're a lot stronger and a lot faster."

Senior quarterback Mike Owens returns to run the Eagles' Wing-T offense. In front of him will be four veteran linemen: tackles James Farrelly and Casey Vanetty and guards Jimmy Konst and Tom Wood.

Brothers Shane and Chris Stemmer return to man their receiver and tight end positions, respectively, with Devin Houser, Dexter Foss and Tramell Wilkinson slated to start in the three running back spots.

Senior middle linebacker Kevin Lewis will anchor Boulder City's 4-4 defense. Also back are outside 'backers Casey and Eric Brown, Farrelly and Foss along the line and defensive backs Travis Rowe and Jesse Oliver.

Inside linebacker Justin Armour, defensive end Kylen Smith and cornerback Mark Stewart will join that group as first-year starters.