Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
From left, Coronado High School football players Tanner Gorski, Jordan Rude and Justin Belknap July 21, 2014.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 | 2 a.m.
Prep Sports Now
Underreacting
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer try to atone for an obnoxious case of overreaction after the first week of games by dialing back their opinions. They also debate Liberty vs. Coronado, and come out on opposite sides regarding how the game will play out.
This will be the game of the week.
Coronado, ranked No. 6 in the the Sun’s rankings this week, travels across St. Rose Parkway to face No. 2 Liberty to renew a rivalry where there’s no love lost. Liberty has won 40 straight Sunrise Region games, but seems to always be challenged by Coronado. The fact the schools aren’t too fond of each other surely plays a part in creating the somewhat evenly matched games.
While Coronado seemingly always gives Liberty a good challenge, the Patriots typically pull away late. Liberty is ranked No. 2 for a reason, especially since the four-time defending Sunrise champions are led by a group of superior athletes.
Defensive lineman Noah Jefferson is committed to USC, juniors Calvin Tubbs and Bryan Roland are two of the city’s best for the class of 2016, and sophomore Ethan Dedeaux has been the best two-way player in the Sunrise recently at wide receiver and defensive back.
Here’s the rest of the rankings:
1. Gorman (3-0): Gorman is still the top team in our rankings. And the USA Today national rankings. Up next: Friday at Centennial High of Corona, Calif.
2. Liberty (2-0): A close game in the third quarter against Shadow Ridge quickly turned into a blowout last week for Liberty. Ethan Dedeaux, a talented sophomore, scored three straight touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Up next: Friday vs. Coronado
3. Arbor View (1-0): Arbor View needed one half last week against Silverado to iron out the first-game jitters. They scored four unanswered touchdowns in the second half to close the game. Up next: Friday vs. Shadow Ridge
4. Centennial (2-0): Centennial needed overtime to beat Foothill last week in a game some thought they would win easily. They had a hangover from beating Palo Verde two weeks ago. Up next: Sept. 19 vs. Legacy
5. Las Vegas (1-0): A 19th straight win against Rancho last week in the “Bone Game” isn’t a good indicator of how good Las Vegas will be this season. We’ll know more after Friday. Up next: Friday at Legacy
6. Coronado (1-0): Coronado enjoyed a bye last week, giving them two weeks to prepare for the showdown with Liberty. Easily the Game of the Week. Up next: Friday at Liberty
7. Canyon Springs(1-0) : Canyon Springs, which handled Cheyenne last week, can move up in the ranking by beating Arbor View this week. It’s a chance for the Pioneers to make a statement. Up next: Friday at Arbor View
8. Palo Verde (1-1): One week after being held scoreless against Centennial, Palo Verde pulled of the most impressive victory of the week in winning late against a quality opponent in Green Valley. Up next: Sept. 19 vs Las Vegas
9. Green Valley (1-1): A last minute loss to Palo Verde drops the Gators five spots in the standings. It’s still early September. The Gators have plenty of chances to play their way back to the top. Up next: Friday vs. Shadow Ridge
10. Moapa Valley (2-0): Moapa Valley beat Hurricane of Utah last week for the first time since 1998. The confidence-building victory should give them motivation heading into this week’s league opener against Desert Pines. Up next: Friday at Desert Pines
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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