Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Whispers around town indicate Desert Pines High might be good enough to do something special this season and unseat perennial power Las Vegas High in the Northeast Division.
Desert Pines coach Paul Bennett has heard the whispers. While he agrees the Jaguars should be attracting attention, he’s not letting it change anything.
“I’m a humble man so I take it in stride, but we know,” Bennett said. “We should be. It’s that cycle thing in Vegas and we’re in that cycle. You go through so many years and this is your year to shine.”
It’s Desert Pines’ year because it returns a whopping 19 starters. The Jaguars also have three players — quarterback Dalton Leilua, wide receiver Eric Tuiloma and linebacker Keorris Berry — on Sun’s Preseason Team.
It all starts with Leilua, a three-year starter at quarterback who has high aspirations for 2009. Leilua excelled his sophomore season, but dropped off during last year’s 3-7 season.
Bennett credits his signal caller’s struggles to an inexperienced offensive line.
“This senior year is going to be another example, except better, of his sophomore year,” Bennett said. “He has to step up and be that leader he can be on the field.”
Berry will play the quarterback role defensively. He’s one of a handful of seniors who will start on defense and Bennett is expecting big things.
Seemingly, the Jaguars are in great shape to make a memorable run. Bennett can only think of one major weakness.
“One injury, two injuries and it could change the whole dynamic of our team,” Bennett said. “Because as far as depth is concerned, we aren’t that deep.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or at [email protected].
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