2008 Prep Football Preview
By Brian Geark

SUNSET REGION
SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

BISHOP GORMAN
Under second year coach Bob Altshuler, the Gaels will once again be the favorites to win state even though they lost key skill positions on both sides of the ball. However, at any level of football the game is won in the trenches and the Gaels are returning five starters from the offensive line. With several players already committed or being watched by Division I college football teams it is obvious that Gorman will be the favorite for years to come until the Clark County School District and the NIAA do what is needed and makes Gorman not eligible to win a public school championship. They need to do what they did in the pre-season this year and travel to California to play other private schools that are stacked. By the way, Gorman lost that game.
Prediction: 1 loss a bunch of wins and a state championship

SPRING VALLEY
A strong 2007 season has Spring Valley hoping for more of the same in 2008. As one of the deepest teams in the valley they will look to wear out the opponents with a physical style. Like the Gaels, the Grizzlies are stacked on both the offensive and defensive lines which makes opposing teams a little afraid when they see the Grizzlies.
Prediction: 8-3 (5-1 Southwest)

WESTERN
A great first year under coach John Isola but this year will be a bit tougher as most every star player form every key skill position is gone. This is truly a year when the team can say they are rebuilding but they were not expected to do as well last year and coach Isola made the team into winners. They should be able to make a playoff spot but don’t expect much more than that from the Warriors this year.
Prediction: 5-5 (3-2 Southwest)

NORTHWEST LEAGUE
PALO VERDE
Under thirteen year coach, Darwin Rost, the Panthers have usually been the team to beat in the Northwest. Cheyenne could dethrone them this year but the always sneaky Rost will have something up his sleeve. As far as style of play, Rost only believes in the run and with his record you can’t really blame him. He runs style of offense that no one has been able to copy in the valley and defenses have not been able to stop.
Prediction: 9-2 (6-1 Northwest)

CHEYENNE
The heavy favorite in the Northwest as a team that always finds itself in the playoffs and this year is returning a large number of key players. With a big offensive line and two senior running backs acting as a two headed monster, Cheyenne may be the only hope to beat the Gorman Gaels come post season.
Prediction: 9-2 (7-1 Northwest)

CENTENNIAL
The Bulldogs barely missed the playoffs last season but under second year coach George Baker are expected to do a bit better this season. The Northwest is clearly the strongest division. The Bulldogs were expected to make the playoffs last season but a few close losses put an end to the season. This year the team expects to be on the winning end of those close games.
Prediction: 7-3 (5-2 Northwest)

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
The Spartans are under first year coach, Rod Vollan, but a veteran of Spartan football as an assistant for 17 years. Always a well coached team there expects to be no difference under Vollan. A strong running game and a good defense is a recipe for a good football team and it is exactly what Cimarron has.
Prediction: 8-3 (5-2 Northwest)

MOJAVE
A very good 2007 season and the only reason they are on this list. With virtually every starter on the team graduated they Rattlers cannot expect too much this season. The few guys that are left will have to step up and make the difference.
 Prediction: 6-5 (4-3 Northwest)

SUNRISE REGION FOOTBALL CAPSULES
SOUTHEAST LEAGUE
SILVERADO
The Skyhawks will defend and be the favorite again to win the Southeast with no losses in the division last year and only one loss overall. A good portion of key players are returning on both offense and defense and they may even be a better team this year under second year coach Andy Ostolaza.
Prediction: 10-1 (6-0 Southeast)

DEL SOL
The Dragons always seem to be the bigger team on the field with huge lines and just overall aggression. Even with some key losses on the both lines the Dragons will look to be the bully on the fields as they always have. Faster teams will sometime get the better of them though.
Prediction: 9-3 (5-1 Southeast)

NORTHEAST LEAGUE
LAS VEGAS
Always the team to beat in the Northeast under fifth year coach, Chris Faircloth. A constantly tough defense and a transfer running back from Western in Reggie Bullock will make the Wildcats a force once again. Faircloth always has his team playing just a bit harder than the others and LVSM expects more of the same this season.
Prediction: 9-2 (5-1 Northeast)

CANYON SPRINGS
The Northeast champs from a year ago and a team that went to the Sunrise Region semi-finals brings in first year head coach Chris Littman but don’t expect that to change much of the outcome. The Pioneers did lose one of LVSM’s Athletes of the Month from last year, Devonte Christopher and probably the valley’s best QB, but the team will look to rally around their new coach and have another strong season.
Prediction: 8-3 (4-2 Northeast)