Ray Brewer, iphone photo
Centennial High junior running back Rhamondre Stevenson
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 | 2 a.m.
To nominate
The Sun's high school football player of the week is designed for an under-the-radar player making an impact on Friday nights. To nominate someone, contact Ray Brewer at [email protected]. Winners are selected each Monday. They receive a $50 gift card to Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and a certificate of recognition.
Prep Sports Now
West Side Story
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer debate over whether the four best teams in town all reside in the Sunset Region — Bishop Gorman, Arbor View, Centennial and Palo Verde. They then get into all of their big games this week that should provide the answers, including a Bishop Gorman vs. Saint John Bosco (California) matchup that may decide the mythical national championship.
Rhamondre Stevenson was a relative unknown entering this high school football season.
That happens when it’s your first full season on the varsity and you barely played the previous year.
But the Centennial High junior running back has quickly made a name for himself, rushing for 194 yards and four touchdowns last week in a win against Legacy to help the Bulldogs open the season with three straight wins.
For his efforts, Stevenson was named the Sun’s player of the week. The award isn’t necessarily designed for an established player or someone committed to a Division I school. Rather, it is for those talented athletes under the radar who deserve recognition for their efforts.
That perfectly describes Stevenson.
He was ineligible last season until the playoffs, but he has made up for lost time. He’s rushed for a touchdown in each of Centennial’s three games, accounting for 337 yards and six touchdowns on 53 carries.
“People didn’t know about our team. They didn’t know about me. We surprised some people,” Stevenson said.
With the emergence of Stevenson and quarterback Juan Rodriguez, two juniors full of potential, Centennial appears likely to reach the Sunset Regional semifinals later this fall for a fifth straight season. Entering the year, though, that might not have been the case, considering the team's inexperience.
Rodriguez has passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns in three games, and the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Stevenson is arguably Southern Nevada’s best junior running back.
He sure appeared that way against Legacy, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns of about 50 yards last week to help Centennial pull away, 47-13.
“He finished his runs,” Centennial coach Leon Evans said. “We always tell him that if he finishes his runs, he can be one of the best running backs in the city. He finally finished (against Legacy).”
Stevenson is quick to point out he’s not a one-man show.
“It’s all my line,” he said. “They have my back, and I have theirs.”
More about Rhamondre:
Career ambitions To have a career in sports management or sports medicine.
Favorite teams Oregon in college football because of its high-paced offense. And the Dallas Cowboys because they have running back DeMarco Murray, a Las Vegas product.
Athlete he models his game after Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks. “We both run hard and with a mean streak,” Stevenson said.
Favorite pregame meal Pasta.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy