Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.
Nick Christensen
Boulder City EAGLES
Coach : Jeff Knutson (4th year)
Key players: Mitch Barlow, Sr., RB; Jayson Hernandez, Sr., QB; Adam Sasarita, Sr., LB; Ryan Stewart, Sr., RB/LB; Sean Heddan, Sr., OL/DL.
2003 schedule: at Mohave (Bullhead City, Ariz.), at Liberty, Faith Lutheran, at Canyon Springs, Moapa Valley, Del Sol, Virgin Valley, Spring Valley, at Pahrump Valley.
Boulder City passed on playing an early game last week, but with a nonleague schedule that includes five 4A schools, Knutson doesn't think the team needs much more in the way of tuneups. The 4A-heavy schedule isn't a bad thing -- it wasn't long ago that the Eagles were playing two or even three games a year against Moapa Valley, Virgin Valley, and Pahrump Valley.
The Eagles' defense looks to be a lot better this year, something that Knutson's team specifically worked on in summer camp. Boulder City also figures to have a very fast ground game, with five running backs returned.
Faith Lutheran CRUSADERS
Coach : Jake Kothe
Key players: Jarid Rollins, Jr., WR; Brandon Lake, Jr., TB; Josh Washington, Sr., WR; Rico Portaro, Sr., TE; Cameron Done, Sr., QB.
2003 schedule: at The Meadows (won by forfeit), at Dayton, at Boulder City, Pahrump Valley, Spring Valley, at Moapa Valley, at Del Sol, Virgin Valley, Canyon Springs.
Faith Lutheran's jump to 3A brings the Las Vegas Valley its first 3A team since -- well, since 4A was created in 1996. It also provides a blessing for the ceaseless line of new 4A schools opening in Las Vegas, providing an in-town 3A opponent to better match up with.
The Crusaders offense opened up on 2A Meadows, a team they've handled fairly well the last few years, logging 37 points before the Meadows forfeited. It's an offense that will likely give everyone with the possible exception of Moapa headaches in Faith's first year at 3A.
The Meadows MUSTANGS
Coach : Chris Lounsberry (3rd year)
Key players: Rod Santacruz, Jr., DB; Jordan Kelley, Sr., QB; PC Youngblood, Sr., WR; John Curran, Sr., LB/DL.
2003 schedule: Faith Lutheran (forfeit), at Milford (Utah), Canyon Springs, at Needles, Indian Springs, at West Wendover, White Pine, at Lincoln County, Needles.
The Meadows has gone through some tough times after its string of five consecutive state championships ended in 2001. Things are about to get even tougher, as Faith Lutheran's jump to 3A and Laughlin's fall to 1A brings West Wendover, a school in Elko County 375 miles north on U.S. 93, into the 2A South. The lack of like competition will force the Mustangs to play schools out of their league, including last week's opener against Faith and a game later this year against 1A Indian Springs.
Quarterback Jordan Kelley has improved his game since last season, and Lounsberry likes to mix things up with the Meadows defense. With 2A power Lincoln County graduating quite a few seniors, if the Meadows can survive the long road trips, it could come out on top in the 2A South.
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