Preps: Small Schools

Friday, Aug. 26, 2005 | 9:44 a.m.

3A South 2004 Standings Overall

WHY TO WATCH: It's probably the state's most competitive league. Every team has reason to believe it will win, from Faith Lutheran's undefeated JV team last year, to the tradition of Virgin Valley, Moapa Valley and Boulder City, to the sheer numbers at Pahrump Valley.

WHO TO WATCH: Virgin Valley returns some of the best players in the 3A South, but lack of depth will hurt the Bulldogs. Still, Eric Mikkelson, Ryan Horlacher and Jordan Tait provide size and experience in the trenches. At Moapa, 6-foot-3, 220-pound Michael Davis, the younger brother of Arizona Western freshman Zach Davis, takes the helm as quarterback and kicker.

Also keep an eye out for Boulder City guards Andrew Hafen and Zack Fielding and Faith Lutheran's Austin Terrill, Jarid Rollins , Brandon Lake and Chad Breeden.

WHEN TO WATCH: Two dates stand out. Sept. 2, Spring Creek and Nevada's all-time leading rusher, James Edwards, make their one trip south this year as they take on Pahrump Valley. And the Civil War of northeast Clark County is set for Oct. 21, when Virgin Valley travels to Overton to take on Moapa.

2A SOUTH 2004 STANDINGS

WHY TO WATCH: Because these kids have got to be the most dedicated athletes in Nevada. The 2A South is spread out over nearly 500 miles from the eastern edge of Nevada to California, which means lots of travel. Consider that West Wendover, on the northern end of the 2A South, is actually closer to Montana and Wyoming than it is to the southernmost school, Needles, which is in California. Conversely, Needles is closer to two Mexican states than it is to West Wendover.

WHO TO WATCH: White Pine running back James Williams has gotten some college attention. The Meadows has a strong player on both sides of the ball in Rod Santacruz, and Lincoln County can always be counted on to produce strong athletes, including wide receiver/running back D.J. Lucchesi .

WHEN TO WATCH: The Meadows and Needles play each other twice a year -- once in a non-league contest and once in a game that counts in the final standings. Needles comes to Summerlin on Sept. 16, while The Meadows travels to California on Oct. 27.

1A SOUTH 2004 STANDINGS

North Division

South Division

WHY TO WATCH: Because eight-man football is fun, wide-open, offensively minded football. This is what the Arena League would look like on a full-sized field.

WHO TO WATCH: Pahranagat Valley is the team to beat. The Panthers' roster includes BYU recruit George Vea, a 6-foot, 215 pound running back /linebacker.

WHEN TO WATCH: Thanks to an anonymous donation, Spring Mountain Youth Camp is getting a new field -- an artificial turf field, no less. Coming Oct. 1 to the campus 8,470 feet up Angel Peak are Saturday afternoon home games. Round Mountain kicks off the festivities, but all bets are off as to whether they can keep their breath by halftime.

-- Nick Christensen