Home News Football Guide:

Pahrump making debut in division

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

Pahrump Valley team page & schedule
Pahrump Valley roster
Colors: Maroon and gold
Coach: Leo Verzilli, first-year
Homecoming game: Oct. 10 against Clark
Key players: RB/S Andy Floyd, RB/CB Gueran Fenicle, MLB/OL Ryan Holt, TE/DE Steve Schmidt, C/DL Joey Colucci
Prediction: Pahrump struggles for wins in 4A

2008 High School Football Guide

Time to play with the big boys.

Small, yet constantly growing Pahrump Valley High will make its debut in the 4A Sunset Southwest Division this fall. Instead of contending with small schools spread across Nevada, the Trojans' schedule will include some of the largest and most talented programs in the Las Vegas Valley.

But coach Leo Verzilli insists Pahrump isn't in over its head.

"We've been preparing," Verzilli said. "We increased our weight training program and conditioning program. We hope to show that we can play in this league. I truly believe we'll win our share of games at this level and we’ll impress those guys."

Pahrump was forced to move classifications because of its increasing enrollment, which now stands at just more than 1,400 students. The cutoff between 3A and 4A schools is 1,200.

"We'll be playing teams that have 3,000 kids in their school and we have 1,400," Verzilli said."But when it comes down to it, you just have to play football to the best of your ability."

Stepping up seems more daunting considering the Trojans had problems in the 3A, when they finished 0-8-1 in 2007.

Verzilli said Pahrump will rely on its senior class to get through the first year. The class of 2009 includes about 12 who have played together since junior high.

The offense will be based on rushing with tailbacks Andy Floyd and Gueran Fenicle leading the way, while Ryan Holt is the team's most experience defender and will direct traffic from the middle linebacker position. Defensive end Steve Schmidt and defensive tackle Joey Colucci will also be catalysts on the line, the coach said.

The Trojans are eager to test their mettle against the best the state has to offer.

"The other teams are made up of 16- and 17-year-old kids, too," Verzilli said. "We'll put 11 on the field, they'll put 11 on the field and we'll see how it pans out."

Christopher Drexel is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8929 or christopher.drexel@hbcpub.com..

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