Liberty High Football

UNLV football grabs another local recruit, receives verbal commitment from 2013 RB Niko Kapeli: Wednesday, May 30, 2012; high school recruiting:; By Ray Brewer; Niko Kapeli verbally committed to UNLV on Wednesday, becoming the Rebels’ first verbal commitment for the class of 2013. Kapeli was also recruited by Utah, New Mexico and Northern Arizona, but wanted to play for the hometown Rebels so his family could watch him play. Also, his brother, fullback Jordan Kapeli, will be a freshman walk-on at UNLV in the fall.

Taking a look at some marquee games on this year's high school football schedule: Tuesday, May 22, 2012; HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Powers Liberty, Palo Verde will hook up in one of the most anticipated nonleague games of the season; By Ray Brewer; When the Liberty High School football team hung tough with power Bishop Gorman for nearly three quarters in last year’s state semifinals, the Patriots immediately confirmed their status as one of the state’s top programs. They have won back-to-back Sunrise Regional titles and are riding a 16-game winning streak in league games.

From blue chip prospects to Division II recruits keeping the dream alive, signing day produced several memories in Las Vegas: Thursday, February 2, 2012; high school football:; By Ray Brewer; Every high school football player has a different story to share on national signing day. There are usually plenty of tears of joy, smiles and hugs from loved ones, and the look of relief on the faces of recruits as they officially commit to a college by signing a letter of intent. Getting to the day, which always falls on the first Wednesday of February, is typically easier said than done for the athletes. In Las Vegas, this year’s recruiting cycle produced more than its share of noteworthy events. Here are some of their stories:

Jared Tuilagi of Liberty headed to North Dakota football, to play against cousin each year: Monday, January 30, 2012; prep recruiting:; By Ray Brewer; Jared Tuilagi already has this college football game circled on his calendar. Tuilagi, an outside linebacker from Liberty High, verbally committed Monday to the University of North Dakota following a weekend visit. One glance at North Dakota’s schedule and Tuilagi can easily spot the game he’s looking forward to playing in the next four years — against Southern Utah.

Liberty football player P.J. Taeao picks Southern Utah: Sunday, January 29, 2012; prep recruiting:; By Ray Brewer; Liberty High senior lineman P.J. Taeao verbally committed to the Southern Utah University football program after a weekend recruiting trip. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Taeao, who was a four-year starter up and excelled this past fall on both sides of the ball, will play defensive tackle at the next level.

Bishop Gorman takes down Liberty, one game away from third straight state title: Saturday, November 26, 2011; high school football: Gaels overcame valiant effort from Liberty, which trailed just 28-27 midway through the third quarter; By Ray Brewer; The Bishop Gorman High football team is one win away from a third consecutive state title. And, with an offense that seemingly can score on every play, the Gaels will be tough to beat. Shaquille Powell rushed for five touchdowns and 270 yards Saturday, and the Gaels fought off a valiant effort from Liberty in a 56-34 victory at Rancho in the state semifinals. Gorman advances to next week’s state championship game in Reno against Northern Nevada’s Reed High. Gorman twice overcame seven-point deficits in the first half and eventually pulled away in the second half, staying unbeaten against local ...

Liberty anxious for crack at dethroning defending state champion Gorman: Thursday, November 24, 2011; high school football:; By Ray Brewer; When the Liberty High School football team finishes practice each day, the players come together and break with a chant of: “Win state.” It’s been that way since spring practice in March and it’s a constant reminder that winning the championship is becoming more of a reality each week.

Liberty rallies after early deficit to defeat Foothill, 37-35: Friday, November 18, 2011; high school football: Liberty to face Gorman next weekend in state semifinals; By Ed Hauth; The Liberty High football team rallied back from a 13-point first-quarter deficit to defeat Foothill, 37-35, Friday in the Sunrise Regional final to advance to the state semifinals for a second consecutive year.

Liberty rallies past Las Vegas to reach Sunrise championship game: Friday, November 11, 2011; Las Vegas High keeps it close until second half; By Case Keefer; Despite how it may appear, the Liberty coaches didn’t accidentally issue a No. 12 jersey to two different players. It’s just that sometimes Kai Nacua does so many different things on the gridiron that it’s hard to believe it’s the same person. The junior is not an ordinary starting quarterback.

Redemption Thursday: Region semifinals feature four teams out to avenge earlier defeats: Wednesday, November 9, 2011; high school football: A victory by Bishop Gorman and Palo Verde will set-up the highly-anticipated annual showdown between the perennial powers; By Ray Brewer; Las Vegas High football coach James Thurman has stressed each week for his players to play a faceless opponent on Friday nights. Instead of worrying about the opposition — whether weak or strong — on the other side of the field, Thurman tells his players the first step to victory is executing their game plan successfully. On most Fridays in Las Vegas’ weak Northeast Division, the faceless opponent strategy is not overlooking a struggling opponent. But Thursday in the Sunset Regional semifinals, the Wildcats will face a tall order in beating host Liberty (9-1). Not only did the defending Sunrise ...

Liberty marches on in playoffs by beating Valley: Friday, November 4, 2011; high school football:; By Case Keefer; Liberty junior running back Niko Kapeli ran for more than 200 yards in five of his team’s nine games this regular season. He’s also one-for-one in eclipsing the 200-yard milestone in the postseason after Friday night. Kapeli rushed for 257 yards on 20 carries as Southeast Division champion Liberty pounded Northeast No. 4 seed Valley 42-6.

Liberty takes out Foothill for second straight Southeast division title: Friday, October 28, 2011; high school football: Niko Kapeli ran for 304 yards, while brother Jordan Kapeli had 96 yards for Liberty; By Case Keefer; With realignment on the way next year, Thursday marked the final night of the Henderson-exclusive Southeast Division. At least the league went out in style. In a game between the division’s two best teams to determine the 2011 champion, Liberty scored one more time than Foothill in a 49-41 thriller

Liberty survives scare at Coronado, still in first place of Southeast: Saturday, October 22, 2011; high school football:; By Ray Brewer; Dustin Kaanaana’s 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Friday night helped the Liberty High football team overcame a late deficit and escape with a 16-10 victory at host Coronado.

Liberty capitalizes on turnovers to beat Green Valley: Friday, October 14, 2011; high school football:; Edward Hauth; Liberty High scored 23 points off seven Green Valley turnovers to take sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division with a 37-17 victory over the Gators on Friday.

Liberty remains undefeated in league play with 56-21 win over Basic: Thursday, October 6, 2011; high school football:; Edward Hauth; Liberty High junior quarterback Kai Nacua passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Patriots remained undefeated in Southeast League play with a 56-21 victory over Basic on Thursday.