Las Vegas Sun

Eldorado has won five games in the last three years, but the addition of first-year coach Leon Evans changed the mindset of the players at the East Las Vegas school.

Evans coached Desert Pines to the state title game in 2003 and brings that experience to an Eldorado squad that he says is loaded with talent.

"We need to get better in the weight room to get bigger, stronger and faster," Evans said. "If we do that I like our chances."

Running back Tone Gatewood enters his third year on varsity and could be one of the valley's biggest surprises. Despite rushing for 153 yards on 47 carries last year, Gatewood showed tremendous speed and agility during the summer and could be an impact player.

Gatewood got pointers this summer from St. Louis Rams tailback Steven Jackson, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a senior with Eldorado and is the school's all-time leading rusher.

"It's cool to think we are both Eldorado running backs," Gatewood said.

— Home News Sports Editor Ray Brewer