Smooth negotiations put football finals in Reno

Adam Candee

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 | 10:29 a.m.

Nevada prep football's ultimate game is set to be played in Reno's ultimate stadium.

With the state's rotation returning the title game to the North this year, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association secured Mackay Stadium on the University of Nevada campus for the 2A, 3A, and 4A title games.

The exception will be if no North team qualifies for the championship game, in which case that game will move to a more geographically appropriate location. With the North only holding one of four berths in the 4A tournament, it is still very possible that the championship will be in Las Vegas.

Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed, but this agreement appears to have come with considerably less pain than did last year's protracted negotiations with UNLV's Sam Boyd Stadium.

"We are very appreciative of the support of Chris Ault and the entire (Nevada) athletic staff," said Dr. Jerry Hughes, director of the NIAA. "Their cooperation has made it possible to his these games in a first-class facility."

The 4A title contest is slated for Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m.. The 2A and 3A games are scheduled as a Nov. 22 afternoon doubleheader at noon and 3 p.m.

ESPN selected that playoff game as its National Showcase Game of the Week. According to an email from the network, ESPN will televise "up to the minute" highlights of the prep contest during its broadcast of the Colorado State-New Mexico game beginning at 7 p.m. A complete highlight package from the Basic-Las Vegas game will run at halftime of the college tilt.

The Wolves (SE-4, 7-2) and Wildcats (NE-1, 9-0) present an unusual matchup of preseason state title contenders facing off in the opening round of the playoffs.

Correia and Bhakta will now compete against 100 other students for the national award. Twelve national finalists will go to New York in December for the presentation ceremony.

Green Valley's Abby Miller won the female High School Heisman in 1999. She is Nevada's only national winner in the 10-year history of the award.