Preps: Northeast Division

Nick Christensen

Monday, Aug. 23, 2004 | 9:03 a.m.

Nick Christensen

Chaparral COWBOYS

Coach : Fernando Carmona (1st year)

Returning starters (O/D) : 3 (1/2)

Key players: Jesse Aquino, Jr., LB; Tyler Morris, Jr., RB; Javier Gonzalez, Sr., QB; Malcom Pitts, Sr., OL.

X-Factor: Kevin Scott, Sr., LB. Scott transferred to Chaparral from Valley this year, and has proven to be a leader on and off the field, his coach said. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he may not look that big but, according to Carmona, "He plays much bigger than that." He's also quick.

Non-league schedule (2003 record): Sierra Vista (3-6), Durango (4-5), Silverado (3-6), Centennial (5-4), Shadow Ridge (2-7)

Fernando Carmona is living a dream. It might also be a nightmare.

Carmona graduated from Chaparral in 1981, and is thrilled to be coaching his alma mater. But after preseason drama when a junior varsity linebacker suffered heat stroke, Carmona's program is now under the microscope. It doesn't help that he coaches in arguably the toughest division.

Still, Carmona is excited.

"At times, it's overwhelming," he said of coaching at Chaparral. "I'm trying to bring Chaparral's position back. It was a very respected school, and I'm trying to bring some of that discipline and pride back."

His approach in training camp has been two-fold, bringing more discipline to the program while at the same time trying to bring back excitement and spirit to his team. He's also been successful at fundraising for the Cowboys, so the team can have pregame meals.

Carmona knows that his program has little chance of making it through Las Vegas High this fall. But, he said, he thinks the team can make the playoffs, which may turn out to be a lofty goal indeed.

Desert Pines JAGUARS

Coach: Leon Evans (3rd year)

Returning Starters (O/D): 11 (6/5)

Key players: William Pope, Jr., QB. Justin Rogers, Jr., OL. Hector Molina, Sr., TE. Derek Cooper, Sr., RB. Donte Minton, Sr., RB.

X-Factor: Jeremy Jones, Sr., WR. Jones is being recruited by Pac-10 schools, and his coach counts him as one of the key parts of his program. "He's a leader," Evans said. "He's always first in sprints. He has a great football IQ"

Non-league schedule: Western (5-4), Cimarron (6-3), Mojave (1-8), Bishop Gorman (7-2)

Desert Pines has a close-but-not-quite year last year, losing in the state semifinals to eventual champion Reno, and Jaguars coach Leon Evans is looking for an even better year this year. With 11 starters returning, he has a right to have high expectations.

Evans' focus this year is on his defense, particularly the front line because the Jaguars aren't as fast as in past years.

"We're working on pounding the ball," he said. "We're playing big boy football this year.'

Some of those "big boys" include lineman Justin Rogers, a 302-pound junior, and Moises Navarro, a 221-pound senior. Derek Cooper, a 265-pound back, is "as agile and nimble as any 180-pound kid in the city," Evans said.

Eldorado SUNDEVILS

Coach: Frank DeSantis (2nd year)

Returning starters (O/D): 13 (5/8)

Key players: Brandon Godfrey, Sr., QB; Davell Jackson, Sr., WR; Leo Wells, Sr., DE; Steve Shark, Sr., LB; Marcus Newsom, Sr., RB.

X-Factor: Andy Bacchetta, Jr., WR/RB. Bacchetta, who excelled on defense last year, brings speed and hard work to the Sundevils. He also could be just as effective when he doesn't touch the ball, loosening up defenses which might opt to double-cover top receiving threat Davell Jackson.

Non-league schedule: Foothill (8-1), Western (5-4), Coronado (7-2), Shadow Ridge (2-7), Palo Verde (9-0)

Not too many people had high expectations of Eldorado in 2003, and the Sundevils surprised just about everyone by making it to the playoffs after DeSantis came in late to the Eldorado program. With a year under his belt and a bunch of returning starters, Eldorado won't be a sleeper anymore.

"A lot of key returning players are coming back, and they're acclimated to myself and the system," DeSantis said.

The Sundevils' aerial attack will likely be their biggest asset. If Bacchetta and Jackson live up to their coach's expectations, quarterback Brandon Godfrey has a chance to better his 974 yards with a 47.3 passing percentage.

Las Vegas WILDCATS

Coach: Chris Faircloth (1st year) 2003 Record: 9-0

Returning Starters (O/D): 13 (8/5)

Key Players: Eric Jordan, Jr., RB; Jeremy Craddock, Jr., QB; Jamal Lomax, Jr., DB/RB; Christian Vidal, Sr., WR/DB.

X-Factor : Eric Jordan, Jr., RB. Jordan wasn't just good in 2003 -- he was the best. With 23 touchdowns, he had more than the second- and third-best running backs in Las Vegas -- combined. Jordan sat out the playoffs last year after a wrist injury, but looks to be back in full force in 2004.

Non-league schedule: Pineview, Utah (9-2), Snow Canyon, Utah (9-2), Bonanza (3-6), Riverside Poly, Calif. (3-5-2), Cheyenne (5-4)

Ask anyone east of I-15, and they'll tell you Las Vegas is the team to beat. Last year, Las Vegas fell behind Reno in a cold, wet state championship up at Mackay Stadium, and this year, the Cats are looking for vengeance.

It won't be easy. Las Vegas has an extremely tough non-league schedule, including St. George's two 3A powerhouses and a roadtrip to Riverside Poly.

The Wildcats' advantage is their youth. Many of this year's impact players were around last year, and feel that nothing less than the state championship is acceptable.

Rancho RAMS

Coach: Gary Maki (1st year)

Returning starters (O/D): 2 (1/1)

Key players: Terrence McGill, Jr., WR. Ryan Eliason, Sr., RB.

X-Factor: Ariece Perkins, Jr., QB. "Our quarterback is possibly one of the best athletes in the valley," Maki said. "He's got a good set of wheels, a decent arm, and definite speed."

Non-league schedule: Green Valley (1-8), Shadow Ridge (2-7), Clark (0-9), Bonanza (3-6)

It's going to be a tough year for the Rams, who are practicing at nearby Hartke Park and will give up their home stadium in October as a new Rancho High School is built on the athletic fields of the Las Vegas' oldest running high school. Luckily for the Rams, so is their non-league schedule, which went a combined 6-30 in 2003.

First-year coach Gary Maki is also dealing with a very young program, with only two returning starters and five seniors. His goal, he said, is to lay the groundwork for a successful future while bringing accountability to his school. "In the past, kids missed Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night practices, and start Friday nights," he said. "That's not going to happen anymore." Maki's also spending the first hour or so of practice time not in the field or in the weight room, but in study hall, to keep his kids eligible.

Valley VIKINGS

Coach: Jim Massey (1st year)

Returning starters (O/D): 14 (6/8)

Key players: Marcus Cotton, Sr., RB. Major Gray, Sr., RB. David Sosa, Sr., WR. Michael Barnes, CB, Sr.

X-Factor: Artificial turf. Valley's stadium, which it shares with Bishop Gorman, had artificial turf installed this summer. The first such field in Las Vegas could prove to be a new experience for visiting teams and an advantage to the Vikings.

Non-league schedule: Sierra Vista (3-6), Mojave (1-8), Durango (4-5), Clark (0-9)

Just about to a man, every coach in the city seems to think Valley is this year's sleeper in the northeast. The Vikings were 3-6 last year, and under new coach Jim Massey, most seem to think the playoffs are easily within reach.

The Vikings took advantage of a week-one bye by spending the first week of practice learning Massey's new system and other off-the-field work. Massey's using a numbers-based system completely different to his predecessor Greg Sellers', and it may be a lot for his younger team to swallow. But with eight returners to what was in 2003 the valley's fifth-best defense, the Vikings start with at least one foot on the ground. Valley's strength is its interior line, which Massey called the "heart and soul" of the team.