Sun’s all-decade team an elite and electrifying group

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 | 1:30 a.m.

Canyon Springs High football coach Hunkie Cooper remembers Friday nights during the fall of 2007 with a distinct fondness.

He had one of the best seats in the house for the offensive juggernaut that was the Pioneers' attack. According to Cooper, if you showed up late for a Pioneers' game you would have missed part of the greatest high school football show the Las Vegas Valley had seen in years.

Led by quarterback DeVonte Christopher's 3,265 passing yards and 44 touchdowns, and receiver Juron Criner's 58 receptions for 1,631 yards and 25 touchdowns, the Pioneers captured the Northeast Division and scored 482 points in 11 games.

"I don't think you will ever find that again," said Cooper, who was an assistant coach during the '07 season. "I really don't think it is humanly possible. There was just so much talent. It was something so beautiful because those guys brought the best out in each other."

Fittingly, the dynamic duo of Christopher and Criner lead the way on the Sun's all-decade team. The past 10 years have featured several memorable performances and numerous standout players — a few who are playing on Sundays in the NFL.

There were several options in picking the top 24 players, especially at running back, which speaks volumes to the strides the Las Vegas Valley has made in becoming more respected nationwide for its prep football.

When it comes to the cream of the crop of the past 10 years, however, Christopher and Criner were as good as they get.

Christopher, now a wide receiver at Utah, had three six-touchdown passing games and twice threw for more than 400 yards. He couldn't have done it without his favorite target, the 6-foot-4 Criner who just finished his sophomore season at Arizona.

"The crazy thing about it was that both of us were super competitive," Christopher said. "I made him a better player and he made me a better player because we pushed each other."

Las Vegas High coach Chris Faircloth remembers game-planning against Canyon Springs for a game that ultimately decided the Northeast title. Christopher connected with Criner for a 4-yard touchdown pass as time expired for a dramatic 48-43 victory.

"Juron Criner was the best high school football player we had in town since Steven Jackson (the star NFL running back)," Faircloth said. "He is going to play on Sundays in a few years, I can promise you that. And Christopher was such a good athlete. He could run and throw. We couldn't match their athleticism."

Criner wasn't Christopher's lone target. Raveon Samuel had 13 touchdowns and 920 receiving yards as a junior before falling off in production as a senior, and DeShawn Stewart had 43 receptions for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2007.

"The best part was doing all this with my good friends," Christopher said. "We were having success together at football and having fun. That was the most important part of the whole thing."

Christopher also rushed for 526 yards and eight touchdowns. As a junior in 2006, he passed for 2,576 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Canyon Springs saw its season end prematurely in the Sunrise Regional semifinals with a 28-24 defeat to Del Sol, finishing with a 9-2 record. Christopher was hurt in the second half and without their leader the Pioneers stalled offensively.

They had scored 58, 46, 48 and 56 points in the games prior to the disaster against Del Sol, cementing the legacy of Christopher, Criner and Co.

"We would have won the state championship if DeVonte doesn't get hurt," Cooper said.

The Sun's all-decade team was selected by Sports Editor Ray Brewer. Brewer has covered high school football in Las Vegas since 1996.

OFFENSE

QB —DeVonte Christopher, Canyon Springs — Christopher (2005 to '07) was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, passing for 3,265 yards and 44 touchdowns. He had three six-touchdown games. "DeVonte was a talented kid and had all of the ability in the world," Canyon Springs coach Hunkie Cooper said. "But the biggest reason why he had success is because he understood the game. He understood coverages. DeVonte is a real bright kid and really eager to be a student of the game."

RB — Antoine White, Las Vegas High — White (2000 to '01) ran for 2,949 yards and 48 touchdowns during his senior season, finishing with 74 career touchdowns. "He was just one of those kids who ran over everybody," Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said. "He was just a special football player."

RB — D'Angelo Jones, Foothill — Jones (2003 to '06) finished as the state's all-time leading rusher with 7,760 yards. As a senior, he rushed for 2,511 yards and 34 touchdowns. "He got better every single year," Foothill coach Marty Redmond said. "His vision was just phenomenal. He was so quick and shifty. He would cut and still be moving forward at the same time."

WR — Juron Criner, Canyon Springs — Criner (2005 to '06) easily was the best wide receiver in Las Vegas the past decade, hauling in 58 receptions for 1,631 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. Criner continued to shine at Arizona, catching 45 passes for 582 yards and nine touchdowns this fall. "Juron just flat out worked harder than everyone else," Canyon Springs coach Hunkie Cooper said. "He's the real deal. Nobody could guard him. Even today (at Arizona), they throw the ball to him when they need a big play. If it's third down and 30 yards, he'll get you 30 yards."

WR — Nate Wederquist, Foothill — Wederquist (2000 to '02) was an All-Sunrise Region selection at wide receiver and defensive back as a junior and senior, and led Foothill to the state semifinals in 2001. As a senior, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Wederquist caught 53 passes for 738 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for 441 yards and eight touchdowns. "He was a real big and tall physical kid," Foothill coach Marty Redmond said. "He was extremely fast for his size and just as competitive as you could be. I don't know how many times he wanted (the ball) more than the defensive back and reached up there and grabbed it."

TE — Xavier Grimble, Bishop Gorman — Grimble (2007 to '09) is the nation's No. 1 ranked tight end for the class of 2010 by recruiting Web Site Rivals.com and verbally committed to USC. He helped Gorman win a pair of state titles, including catching 35 passes for 705 yards and nine touchdowns this fall in leading the Gaels to an undefeated record. "He almost the perfect tight end. It's hard to find a flaw," Bishop Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said.

OL — Otto Hansell, Del Sol — The 6-foot-1, 295-pound Hansell (2004 to '07) was a four-year starter for Del Sol, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for one of the city's most respected ground attacks. He was an all-state selection as a junior and senior. "He didn't become a Division I guy, but if you talk about the best high school kids, he has to be part of the list," Del Sol coach Preston Goroff said.

OL — Geoffrey Gibson, Bishop Gorman — The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Gibson (2006 to '09) was a four-year starter at Gorman and part of two state championship teams. This year, the Gaels led the nation in scoring. Gibson is committed to Cal. "He was really the emotional leader of our team. You don't find that often with linemen," Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. "But when Gibby talked, the other kids listened. He was such a great teammate."

OL — Brandyn Dombrowski, Green Valley and Chaparral — The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Dombrowski (2000 to '02) transferred to Green Valley for his senior year and went on to play four years at San Diego State. The left guard is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. In high school, he was a force on both sides of the ball — especially as a senior for the Gators. "He practically lived in the weight room," former Green Valley coach Lanny Littlefield said. "He did everything we asked him to do. He was rock solid for us on the left side of the line."

OL — Neil Spencer, Cimarron-Memorial — The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Spencer (2004 to '06) was a first-team All-Sunset Region selection on both sides of the line as a senior in leading Cimarron to the Sunset Region crown and state semifinals. He was physically stronger than everyone he lined up against. He played for San Diego State. "Neil was just incredibly strong," Cimarron coach Rod Vollan said. "But strength is something that is not God given. He spent numerous hours in the weight room becoming a dominant player."

OL — Mike Kravetz, Durango — The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Kravetz (2000 to 2002) was an all-state selection as a senior in 2002, and helped the Trailblazers win the Sunset Regional crown and advance to the state semifinals during his junior year in 2001. He was a three-year starter at San Diego State. "He was one of the best pure linemen to come through Durango," former Trailblazers coach John Mausbach said. "He had a great heart and was very coachable."

PK — Nolan Kohorst, Green Valley High — Kohorst (2007 to '09) made 25 field goals during his three-year career with the Gators and was named first-team All-Sunrise Region all three years. He connected on 10 field goals with a long of 54 yards and was 21-of-22 on extra points as a junior. He was 10-of-14 on field goals as a sophomore in 2007, also making 21 of 22 extra points. "He just didn't kick on Friday nights," Green Valley coach Matt Gerber said. "He worked in the offseason and after practice. That's what makes him special."

DEFENSE

DL — Justin Chaisson, Bishop Gorman — The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Chaisson (2006 to '08) set a state record with 23 sacks as a junior in 2007 in leading Gorman to the state crown. He added 102 tackles that fall. He's currently playing for Oklahoma.

DL — Billy Winn, Las Vegas High — Winn (2004 to '06) started on the Wildcats' back-to-back state title teams in 2005 and '06 and now plays for Boise State, where he was a freshman All-American last year. His blocked punt against Galena in the 2005 championship game helped the Wildcats break open a close game. "He was just a gifted kid," Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said. "He could have probably played any position on the field. He was probably the fastest guy on our defense."

DL — Lawrence Guy, Western — Guy (2005 to '07) had 89 tackles, including 20 for loss, and 12 sacks as a senior for the Warriors. Played is the U.S. Army All-American game as a senior after finishing his three-year career with 238 tackles and 30 sacks. "He was pretty much a man among boys with his size, speed and explosiveness off the ball," former Western coach Brian Murray said. "It's the kind of thing you don't see around here very often."

DL — Jeff Van Orsow, Foothill — The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Van Orsow (2000 to '02) was part of the Foothill's first Hall of Fame class this fall and arguably the best player in school history. He led the Falcons to the 2001 state semifinals and a pair of Southeast Division titles. He closed his career at Oregon State by starting 30 straight games and earning all Pac-10 Conference honors. He was also part of a Spokane Shock team that won the arenafootball2 title in 2009. "He was a force and was just so smart," Foothill coach Marty Redmond said. "Lower body wise, he would just push people around. He controlled two gaps by himself in our 4-3 defense."

LB — Ryan Reynolds, Bishop Gorman — Reynolds (2003 to '04) had 96 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and six sacks as a junior and 106 tackles as a senior. He was the first of five locals to play for Oklahoma, where he finished his career this year with 167 career tackles. "He played with the same amazing intensity every game," said Gino DiMaria, Reynolds' linebacker coach at Gorman. "He reads and reacts so fast. He knows every opponent and what they are trying to do."

LB — Ben Jacobs, Silverado — Jacobs (2003 to '05) — who had 99 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions as a senior — was a two-time first-team All-Sunrise Region selection. He helped Silverado, which opened in 1994, wins its first playoff game. Jacobs just finished his junior season at Fresno State, where he was an all-Western Athletic Conference linebacker. "He was a leader for us for three years," former Silverado coach Doug Thornhill said. "We kind of built the whole team around him. He was such a hard working kid. He did everything right."

LB — Chad Pool, Las Vegas High — The 5-foot-8 Pool (2000 to '02) didn't let his size stop him from being arguably the best linebacker of the decade. He led Las Vegas to the 2001 state title as a junior with 132 total tackles, including 74 solo takedowns, 16 for a loss and six sacks. "He was the best pure football player at Las Vegas High School since it moved into the new location (1993)," Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said. "Some kids were just meant to play football and he was one of those kids. He just had a great instinct for the football."

DB — Quinton Carter, Cheyenne — Carter (2003 to '05) was one of several gifted athletes to play for the Desert Shields and has proven his worth the last few years at Oklahoma. His size, speed and 37-inch vertical leap translated into success — both in high school and college. "He had a certain mental toughness," said Teral Fair, who coached Carter on Cheyenne's basketball team. "He had a huge eternal motor that separated him from most kids. He was just fearless and wanted to compete so bad. His overall demeanor was infectious with the other kids."

DB — Gerard Lawson, Palo Verde — Lawson (2000 to '02) was one of the best athletes in Las Vegas during the early parts of the decade and helped Palo Verde become of the state's elite programs. After fours years at Oregon State, the undrafted free agent is in his second year with the Cleveland Browns. "Lawson was just an all-round tough kid," Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. "He gave 100-percent every time he stepped on the field. He was a playmaker."

DB — Kellen Marshall, Cimarron-Memorial — Marshall (1999 to 2001) was part of Cimarron's 2000 state title team and shined on both sides of the ball in three years with the Spartans. He played four years in the secondary at Oregon State. "He was a real gifted athlete and was just so quick with great acceleration," Cimarron coach Rod Vollan said. "He was a real bright kid. You only had to tell him something once and he would pick up on it."

DB — Jarrell Harrison, Palo Verde — Harrison (2003 to '05) led Palo Verde to its lone state championship in football, also shining at quarterback in the Panthers double-wing attack. He's arguably the best player to suit up for the perennial power Panthers. A point guard, he also led Palo Verde to its lone basketball state crown. "It was like having a coach on both sides of the ball on the field," Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. "He was just a pure athlete and fun to watch in whatever sport he was playing."

P — Jordan Miller, Green Valley — Miller (2007 to '08) averaged 43.1 yards per punt as a senior and placed 21 of 39 punts inside the 20-yard line. His punting average was the ninth best in the nation, according to MaxPreps.com. Miller, who walked on at BYU, doubled at wide receiver and that athleticism helped his kicking, Green Valley coach Matt Gerber said. "He had a real big leg and good form, too," Gerber said. "He was just an athletic kid. Whether you are a punter or a kicker, it helps being athletic."

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].