Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 | 11:01 a.m.
In a bit of a down year for prep football prospects in Southern Nevada, the surprise winner is still UNLV.
Cheyenne tailback David Peeples' signing with the Rebels caps a strong local year for the Rebels, who will also get letters of intent from Desert Pines lineman Robert Travers and Indian Springs linebacker Omega Faga.
The Rebels lost out on Las Vegas lineman Richie Plunkett, who chose Colorado State over UNLV and Oregon State. Bishop Gorman quarterback Steve Harris will also go to the Mountain West Conference, committing to New Mexico. Gorman tight end Chris Mark will wait to choose between New Mexico and Oregon.
Not many local recruits will stray far from home, with all of the Division I and I-AA signees staying within the West and Southwest. A total of 11 locals will earn scholarships at college football's highest levels -- down from 15 last year.
Outside the Mountain West, the Western Athletic Conference claimed the most commitments.
Bonanza linebacker Mark Seward will sign with Nevada and Basic quarterback Chris Montano is considering an offer to walk on with the Wolfpack. Foothill defensive linemen Jon Monga and Mike Roland will both sign with Fresno State.
At the Division I-AA level, Centennial defensive lineman Steven Nwogbe plans to sign with Northern Arizona. Coronado linebacker Ben Keller is also a possibility for NAU. The Lumberjacks signed three local players (Kawon Walker, Devin Patterson and Niko Saipale) in 2003. Gorman's D.J. Senter will sign with Southern Utah.
Green Valley quarterback Lance Patonai has talked to Alcorn State, a historically African-American school in Mississippi.
The signing period opens today and closes April 1.
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