Gators hoping to reverse pattern

Richard Brian

Green Valley High quarterback Nick Libonati, left, and wide receiver Kyle Larimer look to lead the Gators to a playoff victory.

By Jared Harmon (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Green Valley High hasn’t won a playoff game since 1997, but coach Matt Gerber said this year’s team has the makeup to end the decade-long drought.

“Winning that playoff game means a lot to me. I was here as an assistant the last time we won one,” said Gerber, in his third year as head coach. “It definitely means a lot to the kids, especially to the seniors. It would mean a lot for the community and the school to see this team get to that level. I look at what we have and I think we can certainly do some damage.”

Known best for their running game, the Gators could take to the air more this fall with quarterback Nick Libonati and receiver Kyle Larimer, who are Southern Nevada’s top returning passing-receiving combination.

In addition to Larimer — who caught 287 of Libonati’s 833 passing yards last year with four touchdowns — Libonati will have strong targets in Jordan Miller and Skyler Holloway.

Libonati sends teammates daily text messages counting down the days until their first game.

“I can’t wait until we get back on the field,” Libonati said. “We have such a good receiving core. I’m really going to have a lot to work with. We’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

Libonati has been part of two of Green Valley’s most recent playoff losses and does not intend to lose a third.

“I hate losing and I know my teammates hate losing,” he said. “We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We’re going to focus on each game we play, but we will be thinking about (advancing through the playoffs). Our main goal is winning the division, but getting past that first round is a close second.”

Despite the graduation of running back Frank Satterfield, who led the Las Vegas Valley in rushing yards, Gerber said the offense will still have a strong running game from senior Quincy Bagsby.

“We’re going to use all the weapons we have,” Gerber said. “Quincy has a lot of talent and should do very well this year. We’re going to throw more than we did last year but will still be pretty balanced.”

Defensively, Gerber feels his unit has improved from last year when it surrendered 22 points per game. With three returners on the defensive line and three returners in the defensive backfield, Gerber said experience will be a strength.

“We’re happy with what we have, and the kids coming back know the system,” he said.

Gerber will be counting on defensive backs Dallas Halasz and Derrick Stevens as well as linemen Brigham Tauteoli and Derrick Garrett to keep the defense tight.

Jared Harmon is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.