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Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 | 11:36 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Palo vs. Liberty and Gorman's national test headline busy week
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Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer bring all the ranting and raving any Southern Nevada high school football fan could ever want on the fourth episode of this year's podcast. Brewer further fuels his detractors at Centennial and predicts a lopsided victory in favor of Bishop Gorman. Does Keefer agree? Listen to find out.
Make Moapa Valley’s tally 224-32 after Friday night.
That’s the combined score of the Pirates' four games against Nevada opponents after they throttled Western 59-6. Moapa Valley rushed for more than 400 yards in the victory.
Sean McConnell touched the ball three times and picked up 121 yards. Conner Mortensen joined the century club with 121 yards on 10 carries. Kasen Hughes racked up 108 yards on four carries.
It was 46-6 at halftime.
“It’s hard when you’re laying into your kids at halftime and their eyes are like, ‘what are you talking about coach,’” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “We’ve got some things to focus on. Penalties have been a major issue for us. We’ve got to try to correct that.
“I think we scored three times on the same drive tonight and they called back for holding or something like that. If we’re going to be a good team, we’ve got to make sure we don’t make those mistakes,” he said.
A fresh coat of paint and a fresh perspective are among the changes being made around Western High School.
Western is one of five turnaround schools that missed the marks set by No Child Left Behind and now faces the challenge of increasing student achievement.
The school is the third oldest in the district and its campus lies near Decatur Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Highway. The majority of students attending Western are minorities from disadvantaged homes. Western is known for having a rough past, but students are optimistic about the future of their school.
Change is apparent according to students interviewed in September.
“When I was in eighth grade, I was told I was going to get shot or stabbed when I came to Western,” said senior Kole Yanez, 17. “That might have been true 15 years ago, but now, you don’t see that here.”
Rules are tightly enforced on campus. The school keeps a strict dress code policy and cell phone use during class time is not permitted.
Halls are designated by grade level giving students a sense of ownership and community. Pride is clearly visible at pep rallies and sporting events. The newfound pride might just be he medicine needed to alleviate the 8 percent dropout rate, the highest in the district.
“It’s like building a house. You need a strong foundation,” said Neddy Alvarez, principal. “You need those strong relationships. When kids know we care about them, the learning will take place.”
- Year built:
- 1960
- Mascot:
- Warriors
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Neddy Alvarez (2008)
- Mission Statement:
- “The mission of Western High School is to promote scholarship, encourage good citizenship, and embrace our cultural diversity.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,400
- Notable alumni:
- Frank Hawkins, former NFL player
Capt. Nicole Malachowski, first female Thunderbird
Ronnie Vannucci, drummer of The Killers
Tom Collins, Clark County commissioner - School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or case.keefer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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