High school football teams across Southern Nevada are a week away from the start of official practices for the new season.
Several teams are set up for big years, with strong play expected at the quarterback position.
Here is a look at the top five returning high school football quarterbacks in Southern Nevada entering the season. (Players are listed in alphabetical order).
Ryder Dobbs, Foothill
Dobbs had a breakthrough sophomore campaign last year, helping Foothill qualify for the Open Division state tournament. The 6-foot-3½, 187-pound right-handed quarterback threw for 1,846 yards and 24 touchdowns as the primary starter in 2025 for the Falcons, who went 7-4. His top game last year came in a 68-27 win over Henderson rival Basic, where Dobbs threw for 425 yards and eight touchdowns. Dobbs, running Foothill’s notorious pass-heavy offense, could pass his success from last season with the Falcons returning skill players such as wide receiver Nixon Gasperosky (605 receiving yards and four touchdowns) and running back Anthony Taylor (five touchdown catches).
Selby Griego, Liberty
Griego became Liberty’s starting quarterback as a junior last year and gave the Patriots stability at the position with his dual-threat ability. Griego threw for 1,628 yards and 17 touchdowns, while adding 528 rushing yards and four scores in Liberty’s 9-2 season in 2025. Griego, listed at 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds, was named the first-team 5A Lake League quarterback by the coaches last year as the Patriots reached the Open Division state semifinals. Liberty has been known for playing tough out-of-state teams, and Griego led the Patriots to three wins against national opponents – Casteel (Arizona) and Hawaii’s Farrington and Kailua – while accounting for multiple touchdowns in each of the three wins.
Cade Hoshino, Sloan Canyon
Sloan Canyon burst onto the scene in 2025, reaching the Class 4A state title game in a dominant season led by the Pirates’ junior quarterback. Hoshino finished second in Nevada last year, throwing for 3,146 yards. He completed 61.8 percent of his passes and had 44 touchdowns as the Pirates went 12-1 with their only loss coming in the 4A title game to McQueen. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander was named the 4A Lake League offensive MVP last year. Hoshino shined in a breakout 35-14 win for Sloan Canyon over 5A opponent Sloan Canyon, where he threw for 319 yards and five touchdowns in the win.
James Monaghan IV, Mater East
Monaghan led a rising Mater East program last year that could be in store for a breakthrough 2026 season. Monaghan was one of four quarterbacks in the state that threw for more than 3,000 yards, throwing for 3,120 (third best in the state) with a 64.5 percent completion percentage and 37 touchdowns as a junior. Monaghan has Division I offers from Sacramento State and Weber State. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander threw for more than 200 yards in nine games last year, which helped Mater East go 7-4 and reach the 4A Southern Region semifinals.
Thaddeus Thatcher, Arbor View
Arbor View has reached the state championship game in the top classification the last two seasons, thanks to the play of Thatcher. As a junior in 2025, Thatcher completed 70 percent of his passes, threw for 2,625 yards and 29 touchdowns, and added 605 rushing yards and seven scores as the Aggies reached the Open Division state title game. Thatcher, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander, has been a two-time first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada selection the last two seasons. Thatcher last month committed to Oregon State, choosing the Beavers over UNLV, Michigan and UCF.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
