Boulder City football preparing for homecoming tilt with Faith Lutheran

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 | 12:06 p.m.

It won’t take much for members of the Boulder City High football team to find motivation for this week’s game.

The Eagles host former 3A Southern League rival Faith Lutheran at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 for their homecoming game — a game the players surely circled when the schedule was released.

“It doesn’t have to be homecoming for them to get up for (Faith Lutheran),” Boulder City coach Alex Kazel said.

The rivalry between the schools had intensified in all sports the last few years, but will eventually die with Faith Lutheran moving from the 3A to 4A classification this fall. Still, emotions will be high for this non-league contest.

“I think the kids enjoy beating Faith. It’s a game they get up for,” Kazel said.

Homecoming week in Boulder City includes more than football. Kazel doesn’t expect the assemblies, parades and other activities to interfere with preparing for Faith Lutheran (0-4).

“I don’t worry too much about them being mentally or physically ready to go,” Kazel said. “Homecoming is a game they are always ready for. They are used to the idea of how the whole town gets involved and the tradition.”

Boulder City (3-2) is coming off its best performance of the year, a 67-0 domination of visiting Sunrise Mountain High of Las Vegas on Sept. 25.

Jack LaMarca returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the Eagles never punted in scoring on every possession.

“We were physical and they didn’t want to come out and hit with us,” Kazel said.

Matt and Devin Combs each had a pair of touchdown runs and combined to gain 154 yards on 14 carries. The Eagles only passed twice, including Ross LaMarca’s 39-yard touchdown to Preston Swasey.

Ryan Washburn and Steven Kaposta also had rushing touchdowns for the Eagles and Nick Pellegrini kicked six extra points.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.