Bonanza poised to take charge

Nick Christensen

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 | 9:40 a.m.

1. T.J. Bombard, Bonanza

2. Garrett Blizzard, Bonanza

3. Alvaro Barraza, Desert Pines

4. Steve Chenes, Centennial

5. James Eshrath,Silverado

1. Bonanza

2. Las Vegas

3. Vo-Tech

4. Silverado

5. Green Valley

Centennial High's hopes for the boys' state soccer championship died in a 2-0 loss in November to South Tahoe on a cold field in Carson City.

This year, any chance at redemption for the Bulldogs is a long shot.

The Bulldogs, twice defeated in the state soccer championship game, have been depleted by graduation, the creation of nearby Shadow Ridge High School, and even two players transferring to a soccer school in Brazil.

It culminated in the worst loss in Centennial history, an 8-0 defeat at Bonanza on Tuesday that pretty much set the tone for the Sunset Region's soccer season this year.

The Bengals, with standouts Garrett Blizzard, T.J. Bombard, Eric Henry and goalie Matt Lavelle, are the clear favorites statewide in high school soccer this year.

"Our guys look great," Bonanza coach Gerald Kearney said Monday, before the win against Centennial. "In two wins, we have nine goals so far."

Last year was a strong year for Bonanza, with the Bengals losing four games -- two to Bishop Gorman, and two to Centennial, including the eliminating game in the playoffs. But with Centennial hurting and Gorman rebuilding as well, Bonanza players now feel it's their turn.

"Our guys have been playing since they were freshmen," Kearney said. "We're confident, not overconfident, and they know anything can happen in soccer and know it's always going to be a tough game against Gorman."

The story's the same on the east side, as traditional Sunrise favorites Chaparral and Valley face rebuilding years.

"I think it's going to be a fight to the end to be quite honest," Valley coach Terry Pryer said. "A lot of teams are very, very even. We lost eight seniors. That pulls us back into the pack. Chaparral lost a couple of their key seniors, too. I think it's going to come down to the last day, for who's winning the division, who's making the playoffs."

Some of the east side teams that look to be slightly better than the pack include Silverado, Coronado, Vo-Tech and Las Vegas. Early in the season, the surprise on the west side has been first-year school Spring Valley. Grizzlies coach Bill Hamilton said he's cautiously optimistic with his young group of players, a group that includes no seniors.

"We are a brand new school. We've only had three weeks to play," he said. "Everyone here knows Bonanza is the team to beat."

Spring Valley freshman Jason Mazzeo, as well as the Grizzlies' Simon Adagwuni, have been strong this year. Gorman's Zac Zaher -- the youngest of a string of Zaher brothers who have helped the Gaels in years past -- as well as Steve Chenes from Centennial attract most of the attention in the Sunset Region.

On the east side, Las Vegas' Michael Young, Desert Pines' Alvaro Barraza, Silverado's James Eshrath, and Green Valley's Drew Chesser all are among those mentioned as team leaders with the best talent in the Sunrise Region.