prep football preview:

Sierra Vista will rely on inexperienced players

Sam Morris

Sierra Vista football player Andrew Ramos Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

With only four returning starters from last year’s playoff team, Sierra Vista High might be the most inexperienced team in Las Vegas.

But coach Mark Sauve is extracting optimism from the situation. With a new nucleus, Sauve says, comes a new attitude.

“These young guys, they have some speed and they are fearless,” Sauve said. “They don’t know what they are getting into.”

Sauve said the Mountain Lions would rely on a number of sophomores. None more important than quarterback Sedarion Campbell, who will lead Sierra Vista’s option attack..

“He’s very, very athletic. The option will work with him,” Sauve said. “And he’s got big guys to hide behind.”

The offensive line is the only unit that has significant experience with all starters having logged some time at the varsity level. Several played in Sierra Vista's Sunset Regional quarterfinal playoff loss to Palo Verde.

Sauve raves about senior guard Andrew Ramos and his ability to use his quickness to get out in front of the option for protection.

He’ll be blocking mostly for senior fullback John Hall and senior running back Dontrel Hall, a transfer from Legacy.

“We’re going to mix it up a lot with the option, so our sophomore quarterback won’t have to make a lot of decisions,” Sauve said.

Mistakes will occur with so many new players, but the key is to minimize them.

It’s all part of the joy that come with losing 17 starters.

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or at case.keefer@lasvegassun.com.

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