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Steve Silver / Photo Illustration
The Southern Nevada 4A Coaches Association named Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost (left) and Basic coach Jeff Cahill the Coaches of the Year for the Sunset and Sunrise regions, respectively.
Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 | 6:17 p.m.
Complete All Region Squads
Sunset Region
- Offensive player of the year: Marcus Sullivan, Cheyenne
- Defensive player of the year: Damien Proby, Cheyenne
- Coach of the year: Darwin Rost - Palo Verde
Sunrise Region
- Offensive player of the year: James Cammack, Rancho
- Defensive player of the year: Keenan Graham, Silverado
- Coach of the year: Jeff Cahill - Basic
Statistics leaders
Expanded coverage
Two college-bound defensive lineman and nine players from an undefeated Southern Nevada champion Palo Verde team highlighted the Sunrise and Sunset all-region 4A football awards this season.
Damien Proby of Cheyenne and Keenan Graham of Silverado were recognized as the year's top defensive players by the Southern Nevada 4A Coaches Association.
Graham, who made visits to Nebraska, Colorado and Wisconsin has committed to UCLA. Cheyenne coach Charles Anthony said Proby has received attention from several Division I schools, including Northwestern, California and Oregon, but has not made a final decision.
The awards were a small consolation prize to all players on teams that came up short on a championship run.
"It's a nice award to win and it's great to have your hard work recognized," Proby said. "Our team had high expectations this year but you win some, you lose some, and now I'm excited for the future."
As expected, Palo Verde names showed up all over the all-conference selections. Quarterback Kelly Zurowski made second-team honors while running back Chaz Thomas made first team. The Panthers' secondary was also rewarded for its outstanding performance this season, as Alex Bonczyk joined USC-bound defensive back Torin Harris on the first team.
Panthers coach Darwin Rost also received the Sunset region Coach of the Year award.
"It's tough to name one leader on our team because every single one of those guys have done it," said Rost. "But one guy who has really stepped up is Kelly Zurowski. He played hurt last year but had a chance to step in during the playoffs and this year he's been playing strong safety as well and he's been doing a great job."
Along with the Panthers, who are headed to the state championship game Saturday against McQueen, Cheyenne (10-2) finished as a heavily decorated team with seven players receiving honors. Quarterback Marcus Sullivan earned the Sunset's Offensive Player of the Year award, giving the Desert Shields the top performers on both sides of the ball.
"Before the season there was no question we were going to win games," Anthony said. "These kids had varsity experience and we knew it was a very special group. None of these games should have even been close. That's how talented this team was. We said if we didn't end up in state we weren't going to be happy with the season."
Rancho quarterback James Cammack claimed the Offensive Player of the Year honor in the Sunrise region. The senior threw for 3,395 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Basic's Jeff Cahill received the Coach of the Year award in the Sunrise region after leading the Wolves to a division title.
Del Sol turned in four members of its blocking front along with running back Derek Eamon, who finished the season with 1,778 yards.
The road has just begun for many of the players receiving this year's awards. While the players are excited for the next step, they say they will always remember this first one.
"My high school games have meant a lot to me," Graham said. "I'm happy I was able to accomplish something while I was here. I have been through a lot with my teammates and I love all of them. This has been something none of us will ever forget."
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.
Well i know many people might not like this comment, but oh well. How can the coaches in their right mind choose Kennan Graham as the Defensive Player of the Year. Is it because he is a high prospect player. Cause it could not have been because of his stats. Their are a hand full of players from the Sunrise Region with better stats that weren't even on the all region list. Just to name a few Sage Nua from Liberty, Julian Yearwood and Keoris Berry from Desert Pines, shoot you could of gone with Derek Eamon from Del Sol. I just think to be defensive player of the year you need more than 74 tackles and 8 sacks which is what Graham got. Comment back if your think I'm right or wrong. I'm just saying....
Well dxyl I think your wrong, one because there is no way teams are going to overlook Graham after the season he had last year. You cant tell me that no one gameplanned for this kid, they would be out of thier minds not to! Another thing is he plays defensive end, he cant roam around as freely as linebackers do and considering that teams gameplanned for him 74 tackles and 8 sacks is not bad. He will do well in college with good coaching.
I see your point bigdaddyren I think Graham is a great player and maybe a lot of the coaches might have gameplanned against him but he had T.J. Alifopo opposite of him which did count for much of his tackles. If Graham wasn't making the tackles it was T.J. I know T.J. didn't play the last couple of games which probably increased Graham's stats, and could have led to the fact that the skyhawks lost their last 3 games. But not counting last year stats. This year there is no way i could vote for Graham as the Defensive Player of the Year especially when his team ended up 4-5, 1st losing season in the school history and losing to their rival Liberty 6-0. And to get off the subject for a while aren't there any players from bishop gorman on the all region team. What's up with that. I'm just saying....
yeah you do have a point dxyl, I dont konw why there arent any players from BG. They had some great players but congrats to Palo they are getting it done but back to Silverado it was a big disappointment this year but they did have a great defense, the only teams to score more than two touchdowns on them were Foothill and Del Sol. Foothill scored 3 and Del Sol scored 4, the reason the scores looked so bad was due to the offensive mistakes. I mean when you lose 6 to 0 obvisously its the offensive not doing their job, the offensive was almost non existant! haha
Well if you put it that way i guess you're right bigdaddyren. Your offense did struggle a lot this year, but I see a lot of potential coming up from your J.V. class. I believe next year's game against Liberty and Silverado will be another close and exciting one. Much respects to all the players on both sides and good luck to Palo in the sate championship game. Oh one more note on the Jr. middle school division the Jr. Warrior Patriots will play the silverado skyhawks this saturday at ed fountain field. Game starts at 6:30 pm. Silverado got a big team anchored by their two big lineman #72 and #64, and they got a fast RB. Liberty Jr. warrior patriots is led by QB Anu Solomon and features RB Niko Kapeli and LBs Junior Monterde and Albert Tai. Jr. Warrior Patriots are favored and won the first meeting. Look for this game to have some big hits and some high scoring. Good Luck to both teams but Go Warriors....lol...I'm just saying...