Sun All-State Football Defense Team

Sun Staff Report

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

Sun Staff Report

Noteworthy: A disruptive force on the Falcons' defense, one of the strongest units in the state ... All-Southern Nevada first teamer as a defensive lineman ... Foothill made at least the Sunrise Region semifinals for the third consecutive year ... lost to Las Vegas in the semifinals, but held the Wildcats to a touchdown for the first half ... recorded 50 tackles (including four for loss), 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups ... committed to Fresno State, along with Falcons DL Mike Roland, to play college football.

Said Falcons coach Ray Fenton: "He was a leader not only on but off the field. In the years I've been coaching, as far as a kid goes, he might be the best. He is the strongest kid."

Noteworthy: Made a huge impact from defensive end position for the Tigers ... chosen by Northern coaches as Lineman of the Year for the region ... had his hand in a little bit of everything for Douglas -- recorded 4.5 sacks, recovered four fumbles, and intercepted a pass ... also recorded 65 total tackles ... Tigers won their first 11 games in 2003.

Said Tigers coach Mike Rippee: "Nick had the big numbers and made the big plays when we needed them. He just did a great job for us."

Noteworthy: The driving defensive force behind the second consecutive 1A State Championship win for Carlin, a northern Nevada school located west of Elko ... 6-foot-6, 220-pound stud recorded 13 sacks from his defensive end spot ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds ... playing tight end, caught 29 passes, 13 of which went for touchdowns ... attracting major college attention from Oregon, Fresno State and Nevada-Reno after Nebraska dropped out of the picture.

Said Railroaders coach Myron Branning: "He was dominant. He meant a lot. He was a force to reckon with, a good leader and a guy in the weight room who worked hard for me."

Noteworthy: The best player on the team for arguably the best team in the state, regardless of classification ... coaches voted him the Most Valuable Player in 3A ... moved from linebacker to play inside on the line, where he was undersized at 5-foot-8 ... still recorded 110 tackles (29 for loss) and 11 sacks ... scored two touchdowns and had one interception ... led the Miners to another 3A State Championship victory.

Said Miners coach Joe Sellers: "He had an unbelievable year for us. He caused train wrecks. He was the best guy in the state in 3A -- they all know who he is."

Noteworthy: The Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in southern 1A ... the latest in a long line of family talent from Indian Springs -- brothers Andrew and Faauo both play at UNLV, where Omega has committed ... recorded 83 tackles (13 for loss), seven sacks and four interceptions -- two of which he returned for scores ... splitting time between running back and quarterback, rushed for 1,247 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead Indian Springs to 1A state semifinals.

Said Thunderbirds coach Sope Faga: "It was his team. He was the person we depended on. Every school we played this year was focused on stopping him. Defensively, he's just a total stud."

Noteworthy: A highly disruptive force in the linebacking corps for the 4A state champions ... prototype size for the position at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with a mean streak that makes him even bigger ... verbal commitment to play college football at Fresno State ... one of three Huskies to earn first-team selection to All-Northern Region squad ... helped shut down Las Vegas running attack in Huskies' 26-23 win in state title game.

Said Huskies coach Dan Avansino: "By far, Ryan was our most physical guy on the field. He was a three-year varsity starter for us."

Noteworthy: Heart and soul player for the Coronado defense, which anchored the finest season in the short history of the school in 2003 ... second-team All-Southern Nevada choice, also selected to Sunrise Region first team ... solid support on the second level for a Coronado defense that carried the Cougars to the Sunrise Region semifinals ... Cougars won their first division game, first division title and first playoff game this year.

Said Cougars coach Paul Berg: "Ben was our leader, our captain. He led by example and by his play. He kept guys going defensively."

Noteworthy: New addition to the southern Nevada scene and he made his presence known immediately in the Southwest Division ... first-team choice to All-Southern Nevada squad at linebacker ... Gaels started slowly, but rebounded to win seven consecutive games and go undefeated in Southwest play ... named one of 10 "Juniors to Watch" for next season by USA Today ... scholarship interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin.

Said Gaels coach David White: "He is the best player I have ever coached."

Noteworthy: Another outstanding season for Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year ... broke school record for tackles by a defensive back with 80 ... recorded six interceptions, two of which he returned for scores ... also broke Hug mark for career picks with 14 ... also rushed for 1,392 yards and 15 touchdowns, and caught two scoring passes as well ... first-team All-North in football, basketball and track as a junior ... college interest from Nevada-Reno, Boise State, Weber State and Idaho State.

Said Hawks coach Rollins Stallworth: "He was a great leader. Mitch wasn't the fastest kid, wasn't the strongest kid, but he's definitely one of the best kids in leading by example."

Noteworthy: The driving force behind one of the finest seasons in Douglas history ... Northern Region Player of the Year ... All-North first-team choice at both quarterback and defensive back ... passed for 1,698 yards and 17 touchdowns , completing 56 percent of his throws ... also rushed for 11 touchdowns ... Tigers averaged 373 yards per game ... third on the team with 72 tackles from his free safety spot ... picked off three passes and returned one for a score.

Said Tigers coach Mike Rippee: "He was just really our sparkplug, our guy. He made some great plays for us. He was just awfully good."

Noteworthy: Defined "most valuable player" both on and off the field for Wildcats ... selected to All-Southern Nevada first team at both wide receiver and defensive back ... also served as placekicker and punter ...amazing hands made him solid possession receiver and defensive menace ... caught 12 touchdown passes ... a team leader, helped Las Vegas survive stunning loss of teammate Edward Gomez during Sunrise Region title game ... unofficial team spokesman after the tragedy.

Said Wildcats coach Kris Cinkovich: "What he did off the field is what I'll never forget about him. It's pretty opposite what he was a year ago. I thought that was tremendous. He did a heck of a job. He was obviously a good football player too."

Noteworthy: First-team punter on the All-Northern Nevada squad ... displayed a solid kicking leg throughout the season that helped Douglas maintain good field position ... compiled a 39.2 yards per kick average ... also managed to drop nine punts inside the 15-yard line ... one of five Tigers on All-State first team.

Said Tigers coach Mike Rippee: "'The bottom line is field position is so important in football and a number of times he put it inside the 15 or 20-yard line. People overlook that sometimes."

Noteworthy: Built the most consistently successful large program in southern Nevada in nine seasons at the helm before leaving this offseason to take assistant coaching position at UNLV ... that move followed his most trying season at Las Vegas ... guided Wildcats through loss to injury of starting quarterback and running back right before playoffs ... helped team survive on-field death of safety Edward Gomez ... Las Vegas still advanced to 4A State Championship game before losing only game of year to Reno.