Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

high school football:

High school football top 10: Debating which new team should join the rankings

2014 High School Football

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

From left, Canyon Springs High School football players Melvin Johnson, Ezequiel Lopez, Zaviontay Stevenson, Bradley Alexander II and Kajuan Casey July 21, 2014.

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Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer go all around the valley on this week's podcast, mentioning a couple surprise 2-0 teams along with usual conversation on powers like Bishop Gorman and Liberty. They also dive deep into this weekend's stacked schedule, which includes Las Vegas visiting Palo Verde and a showdown between two of Division 1A's best running backs in Mojave's Ty Flanagan and Sierra Vista's Maleik Broady.

We haven’t had a new team in the Sun’s weekly high school football rankings through the initial four weeks of the season.

If there were a time to add a new team to the mix it would be this week. Canyon Springs lost by 30 points to Arbor View last Friday, falling to No. 10 in the polls. But there simply isn't a team worthy of taking Canyon Springs' spot.

Here are some options:

• Defending Division I-A state champion Faith Lutheran would have been a perfect candidate to join the rankings, but was upset last week by Clark.

Sierra Vista has a 3-0 record, but two wins have come against Western and Sunrise Mountain.

Basic was impressive last week in beating Cimarron-Memorial and has a 2-1 record, but the Wolves were beaten badly to open the season by Liberty and still have much to prove.

So, the rankings are reshuffled with the same 10 teams — well, at least for one more week.

1. Bishop Gorman (4-0): Gorman has gone into Los Angeles twice in the past three weeks and pulled off impressive wins against quality competition. Up next: Friday vs. Santa Margarita of California

2. Liberty (3-0): Liberty’s defense saved the day last week in a close win against LIberty. The Patriots haven’t lost a Sunrise game in more than four years for a reason — its playmakers are difference-makers with the game on the line. Up next: Friday at Hamilton (Ariz.)

3. Arbor View (2-0): 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 should be well rested after a 15-day break between games. Up next: Friday vs. Legacy

5. Las Vegas (2-0): The Las Vegas defense recorded three first-quarter turnovers in a win against Legacy. But, can they duplicate the effort Friday against perennial power Palo Verde? Up next: Friday at Palo Verde

6. Coronado (1-1): Coronado remains at No. 6 despite losing to Liberty. The Cougars were so impressive in losing by one point to Sunrise power Liberty, you could argue moving them up in the rankings. Up next: Friday at Liberty

7. 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. Friday vs. Las Vegas

8. Green Valley (2-1): If Green Valley’s offense scores like it did last week, producing 53 points against Shadow Ridge, the Gators will be tough to beat. Up next: Friday at Silverado

9. Moapa Valley (3-0): The Hymas-Hubert combination accounted for four passing touchdowns in an impressive win last week against Desert Pines. You can easily argue Moapa Valley won’t be challenged against until the playoffs. Up next: Friday vs. Sunrise Mountain

10. Canyon Springs (1-1): Canyon Springs didn’t play like a top-10 team last week in a lopsided loss to Arbor View. Some would argue the Pioneers, which lost by four touchdowns, don’t belong in the rankings. We’ll give Canyon Springs one more week. Up next: Friday vs. Foothill

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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