Liberty — not Gorman — is the prep football team to beat in Las Vegas

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 | 2 a.m.

The Liberty High School football team is the favorite to win the Nevada state championship.

We asked many of the area’s high school coaches for help in piecing together our preseason top-10. Some picked Liberty, the reigning state champions. Others tabbed Bishop Gorman, the perennial state — and national — power.

Heads or tails? Odd or even? It’s that close.

But, as Gorman coach Brent Browner said in rehashing an age-old sports phrase, “To be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s Liberty.”

Liberty in 2019 ended Gorman’s run of 10 consecutive state championships when it defeated the Gaels in overtime of the regional championship game. It was the first time since 2008 that the Gaels had lost to an in-state opponent, and the consensus by some is a new streak will start again this season.

Or will it?

Those in Liberty’s program say the lost 2020 season from the pandemic prevented the Patriots from being back-to-back champions. They feel the balance of power has shifted in their favor and a third consecutive title is within reach.

Yes, the teams appear to be on a collision course to meet again in the playoffs. But before the postseason in October, there are many games to be played — thankfully for all schools. Teams returned to practice last week working toward opening night Aug. 20, which is expected to be a celebration of the activity for all schools after the missed season last year.

Here’s a look at the top-10 teams:

1. Liberty

What to like about the Patriots: Liberty has arguably the valley’s best quarterback in UNLV commit Jayden Maiava, who in 2019 passed for 41 touchdowns for Kaimuki High School in Hawaii. The Patriots also have a top-flight wide receiver in Germie Bernard, who two seasons ago as a sophomore was an all-state selection after logging 948 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. The roster has Division I prospects at many positions, including linebacker Anthony Jones, a Texas commit, and 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle Sir Mells (Oregon).

Players to watch: Maiava, Bernard, Mells, Jones, TE Cliff Weber, DB Ikalewa Paaoao, DB Saci Alofipo

Potential obstacles: Liberty, like all programs, will be leaning on inexperienced players to populate the depth chart. The coaching staff sees the talent and suspects they’ll make an impact, but the learning curve is unknown. And now, as the defending champs, Liberty will get everyone’s best shot. It can’t afford to slip up early in the season, especially in the new class 5A — a megadivision for the who’s who of programs — where there will be no easy games and contested races for playoff spots.

2. Bishop Gorman

What to like about the Gaels: Some feel this is Gorman’s most talented team since it became a national brand in the mid-2010s. With top national prospect Cyrus Moss (6-foot-6, 220) at defensive end, speedy Zion Branch at safety and Oklahoma-commit Jake Taylor on the offense line, Gorman has five of the top seven college prospects for the class of 2022 according to 24/7 Sports, a national website. The Gaels also have a pair of Division I running backs in Jaydn Ott (Cal) and Cam Barfield (Boston College). And this is just the senior class. Gorman also has the top four recruits in Nevada for 2023, including receiver Zach Branch. Zion and Zach, brothers who also run track, have the breakaway speed that is rare for a high school athlete.

Players to watch: Taylor, Moss, Zion Branch, Zach Branch, LB Benjamin Hudson, TE JJ Bwire

Potential obstacles: Liberty. Gorman is expected to win all of the games on its schedule heading into a playoff showdown with its rival. For as stacked as the Gaels’ roster is, will the defense hold up against a Liberty team that passed its way to the upset win two seasons ago and will again feature a strong quarterback?

3. Desert Pines

What to like about the Jaguars: The Desert Pines roster is loaded with players who were significant contributors in 2019 when the Jaguars won 11 straight games to open the season and reached the semifinals. For as deep and talented as Liberty and Bishop Gorman appear to be, they don’t have the proven players like Desert Pines. That’s especially true in the backfield with senior running back Jovantae Barnes, a bruising 6-foot, 205-pound rusher with scholarship offers from the likes of USC, Oklahoma and Florida State. The Jaguars will also be able to air it out with quarterback Rjay Tagataese, who passed for 30 touchdowns in 2019, and Utah State commit Jett Solomon at wide receiver. Solomon doubles at strong safety to lead the defense.

Players to watch: Solomon, Barnes, Tagataese, DE Idegerinn Dean, WR Lavon Brown

Potential obstacles: The Jaguars would likely have to beat Liberty and Gorman in the playoffs — and in consecutive weeks. That’s a tall task for any Nevada program.

4. Faith Lutheran

What to like about the Crusaders: Faith Lutheran is expected to have a strong rushing attack with Vili Fetapai (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) and Dixon “Gray” Ryan (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) leading the way on the offensive line. The Crusaders had the benefit of competing in the shortened spring season, where they went 3-1 and got experience in new coach Mike Sanford’s system. Yes, that Mike Sanford, the former UNLV coach. His collegiate experience will give the Crusaders an edge on Friday nights.

Players to watch: Fetapai, Ryan, TE/LB Jordan Pollard, DB/WR Jack Gentile, WR/DB Jaden Turner.

Potential obstacles: Faith Lutheran takes steps each season to narrow the gap with Gorman, its Summerlin neighbor. But the gap is still significant as witnessed in their spring meeting, when Gorman raced to a 43-0 victory by the mercy rule of a running clock. To compete with the likes of Gorman — or Liberty and Desert Pines — the Crusaders will need to develop skilled position players.

5. Arbor View

What to like about the Aggies: Arbor View is one of the few programs statewide to return a quarterback who saw significant action last season in senior Kyle Holmes. The 6-foot-3 signal caller completed 58% of his passes for 851 yards and eight touchdowns, and will be armed this season with two quality receivers in Kyri Shoels (13 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns in 2019) and highly regarded sophomore David Washington. One of the valley’s premier programs, the Aggies have some of the best participation numbers in the city — a fact that matters when it comes to developing player depth.

Players to watch: Holmes, WR/DB Shoels, LB Bryce Ericson, OL/DL Cooper Teague, Washington.

Potential obstacles: Like many teams throughout town, Arbor View will be leaning on a group of players with no varsity experience. Even a player like Washington, who has scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Washington, will need a few games to adjust. It’s just the Arbor View schedule could be the toughest in town, starting Aug. 20 against reigning state champion Liberty and with games against top-5 opponents four of the initial five weeks. If the Aggies can survive September, they could peak down the stretch.

6. Centennial

What to like about the Bulldogs: Centennial, after reaching the state championship game two seasons ago, is in complete rebuilding mode. And that’s just perfectly fine for coach Dustin Forshee and his staff, whose lineup will feature mostly players getting their first taste of competition under the Friday night lights. They’ve built a winner from the ground up once, and feel they have a core group of talented underclassmen to again be competitive — and sooner than later. Watch out for the Bulldogs come October.

Players to watch: DB/WR Ben Hungerford, OL/DL Thomas Gili, OL/DL Thomas Youshock, LB/WR Nicauri Shelton, RB Brandin Martinez

Potential obstacles: Only a handful of players projected to be key contributors this fall saw the field during the Bulldogs’ playoff run, meaning a return trip to the postseason will hinge on getting a new generation of players up to speed. In total, Centennial will start 15 to 18 underclassmen, meaning they are likely a year away from competing for a championship.

7. Canyon Springs

What to like about the Pioneers: Led by defensive end Ryan Henderson, the Canyon Springs defense has the potential to make an impact. Henderson, who has scholarship offers from most Mountain West schools, should be able to get much pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. The Pioneers are also excited about linebackers Isiaih William and Luis Ortega, both of whom should shine in rush defense.

Players to watch: Henderson, William, Ortega, DT Buddy Yates, QB Nyic’Quavayion Willis.

Potential obstacles: Canyon Springs has playmakers on offense, but just like most of the city, those playmakers are unproven. If they can produce like coach Gus McNair believes they can, Canyon Springs will be a tough out come the playoffs in October.

8. Shadow Ridge

What to like about the Mustangs: Shadow Ridge’s misdirection, option rushing attack out of the flexbone formation is complicated for defenses to contain. It’s nearly impossible to prepare for the nuisances in practice, meaning a long scoring run by a Shadow Ridge running back is almost certain — and oftentimes early in the game. The Mustangs, many feel, are the favorites to win the reimagined class 4A state championship, especially with three linebackers who saw significant action in 2019 as sophomores leading the defense.

Players to watch: LB/TE Devon Woods, RB/DE JaQuieze Holland, QB Coen Coloma, LB/RB Royasen Mokiao, RB/DB Dylan Wood

Potential obstacles: For a program not accustomed to making playoff runs, having the label of “state favorite” will add some pressure. If they can handle the pressure, and avoid getting into situations where they are forced to pass the ball, there’s no reason why this can’t be a banner-raising season.

9. Green Valley

What to like about the Gators: There’s something to be said about the stability of the Green Valley program, which has posted a 23-12 record over the past three years and seem to always play in meaningful games late in the season. After a lost year from the pandemic, that consistency in preparation and expectations certainly gives the Gators an edge. Coaches rave about how hard the players worked during the closure and see a certain confidence in their approach.

Players to watch: RB Jaylen McKnight, OL Harrison Nielsen, ATH Anton Keeling, TE/DE Cole Castro

Potential obstacles: There won’t be many easy games, as every team in Green Valley’s Mountain Division of the 5A is part of the preseason top-10. That means the Gators will have their hands full simply making the playoffs. The Green Valley players are confident they will compete week in and week out, but will have to avoid injury as they lack player depth.

10. Moapa Valley

What’s to like about the Pirates: The Pirates are a perennial class 3A power and always seem to make their way to the state playoffs, including winning four state championships since 2000 and reaching the title game a handful of other times. They have a veteran coaching staff, many of their players have been running the program’s schemes since elementary school in the town’s youth program, and it’s nearly impossible for opponents to win road games in Overton. Moapa Valley has a distinct advantage over many of its counterparts in that they played a four-game spring season, getting invaluable experience for a roster that only graduated four seniors.

Players to watch: WR/DB Austin Heiselbetz, LB/OL Sam Wheeler, OL/DL Scott Hardy, LB/RB Jayme Carvajal, WR/DB Gunner Redd and QB Peyton Neilson.

Potential obstacles: The Pirates lack size on the line. Wheeler, for instance, is just 185 pounds — although he’s a three-year starter. Moapa Valley will also have to go through a handful of Las Vegas-area teams in the reimagined class 3A and could be faced with defending an opponent whose players are bigger and more athletic.