Here is a look at the Class 3A, 2A and 1A Southern Region and non-CCSD independent high school football teams in Southern Nevada:
Class 3A
Boulder City Eagles
Coach: Christopher Render (entering first season)
2025 record: 6-6
Playoffs: Lost in 3A Southern League semifinals to Virgin Valley
Breakdown: Render takes over at Boulder City, where the Eagles are expected to return most of their core players from 2025 as they prepare to challenge either Virgin Valley or Moapa Valley in the four-team 3A Southern League where all four teams make the playoffs. The Eagles are expected to return leading receivers Anthony Eby and Ghavyn Cartier, and cornerback Luke Jappe.
Moapa Valley Pirates
Coach: Brent Lewis (210-74, entering 26th season)
2025 record: 8-5
Playoffs: Lost in 3A state championship game to Churchill County
Breakdown: Moapa Valley returned to the state championship game last year for its first appearance in the title game since 2021. The Pirates could be a heavy favorite to return to the title game and win their 17th state title and first since 2021. Moapa Valley returns leading rusher Briggs Hickman (105 rushing yards per game and 22 total TDs) and QB Kamden Drosos (18 TD passes). On defense, Stetson Houston is one of the Pirates’ top returners.
Pahrump Valley Trojans
Coach: Toby Henry (first season)
2025 record: 7-4
Playoffs: Lost to Moapa Valley in 3A Southern League semifinals
Breakdown: Pahrump Valley returns 25 varsity players entering Henry’s first season. The Trojans return 10 starters in defense, led by San Diego State commit Iyan Bosket, a linebacker who will also play running back. Gideon Wydick will pair with Bosket on the defense. Evan Strain will be the new starting quarterback for Pahrump Valley and will have offensive weapons such as WR Lucas Gavenda and RB Preston Doctor and an offensive line led by Billy Sparks as the Trojans look to contend atop the 3A Southern League.
Virgin Valley Bulldogs
Coach: Matt Woods (64-26, entering ninth season)
2025 record: 9-4
Playoffs: Lost in 3A state semifinals to Churchill County
Breakdown: Virgin Valley was the regular-season 3A Southern League champion but came up a game short from reaching the 3A state title game. The Bulldogs will look to contend again atop the league with the return of athlete Drew Dixon (116.1 rushing yards per game and 15 total TDs). Virgin Valley will look for its next group of contributors after it graduated 15 seniors off last year’s team.
Class 2A
GV Christian Guardians
Coach: Zachariah Eukel
2025 record: 2-5
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: GV Christian missed out on the playoffs on a tiebreaker and Eukel said the team, with 27 returning players, has unfinished business. The coach said his top returners and players that could make an impact are Wayne Budd, Coy Boykin, Giovani DeLeon, Wake Rolwing, Dean Cootware and JP Suiter. Eukel added the team’s strengths will be its speed and athleticism.
Lake Mead Academy Eagles
Coach: Josh Saga
2025 record: 2-8
Playoffs: Lost in 2A state quarterfinals to Lincoln County
Breakdown: Lake Mead will look to continue to build to remain as a playoff contender in 2A. The Eagles are expected to return contributors Jake Delgado, Trystan Rudd and Colton Downing.
Lincoln County Lynx
Coach: Kevin Hannig
2025 record: 7-3
Playoffs: Lost in 2A state semifinals to Pershing County
Breakdown: Lincoln County lost in the state semifinals 42-36, but could make another run back to the title game this year with nearly a dozen expected returners. Kavon Almaraz returns at QB for Lincoln County after being named the 2A Southern League player and offensive player of the year. Hanning said every position group has a returning starter with many core players entering their third season on varsity. Other expected contributors include Ryder Stoker, Daxton Donohue, Mason Sinay and Coy Whitney.
Needles Mustangs
Coach: Thomas DeLeon
2025 record: 10-2
Playoffs: Won Class 2A state championship
Breakdown: Needles avenged a regular-season loss to Pershing County at Allegiant Stadium to win the 2A state title game. The Mustangs will look to defend their title with expected returners Brayden Baca and Jamal Durfee. Needles will have to replace 17 seniors from last year’s team.
White Pine Bobcats
Coach: Mike Grajek
2025 record: 2-7
Playoffs: Lost in 2A state quarterfinals to Needles
Breakdown: Grajek takes over White Pine as the Bobcats look to make a repeat appearance in the 2A postseason with nine returners. The coach said top players to watch this season include: Tanner Stokes, Cainen Sedlacek, Cason Anderson, Tucker Evans, Aiden Bradley, Kaleb Nielson, Gradyn Williams and Noah West.
Class 1A
Beatty Hornets
Coach: Julius Taylor
2025 record: 1-7
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: Beatty will look to improve in the 1A Southern Region after being outscored by opponents 78-342 last year. Beatty’s lone win in 2025 was a 24-20 home win over Round Mountain.
Beaver Dam Sidewinders
Coach: Bryan Schmersal
2025 record: 2-6
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: Schmersal said he expects a “gritty” Beaver Dam team with nine returners, led by brothers Manuel and Marcus Castillo on the defense, Wyett Avila leading the team at quarterback, and Alex Acevedo in a deep running back room. The coach added that Ricky Castillo, Manuel and Marcus’ brother, is a newcomer who will make an impact on defense.
Indian Springs Thunderbirds
Coach: Billy Russo
2025 record: 4-6
Playoffs: Lost in 1A state quarterfinals to Tonopah
Breakdown: Indian Springs grabbed the last 1A Southern Region playoff spot last year. The Thunderbirds could contend to get back to the postseason with expected returners Tobias Rhynard, Mason Miller and Roman San Andreas. The Thunderbirds only graduated five seniors off last year’s team.
Laughlin Cougars
Coach: Aaron Schellie
2025 record: 3-5
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: Laughlin just missed out on the playoffs after a 18-14 loss to Indian Springs in the regular season as the Cougars finished tied for fifth. Laughlin could make a run to the playoffs after the team did not have any graduating seniors from last year’s team. Laughlin is expected to return QB Anthony Celi-Brookins and top defensive player Davinci Faccioli.
Pahranagat Valley Panthers
Coach: Brett Hansen
2025 record: 12-1
Playoffs: Won Class 1A state championship
Breakdown: Pahranagat Valley returned to the top of 1A last season, winning the program it’s state-leading 25th football state title. The Panthers graduated five seniors from last year. Pahranagat Valley is expected to return contributors Braxten Tsosie and Trueitt Staley.
Round Mountain Knights
Coach: John Larsen
2025 record: 2-6
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: Round Mountain will look to try and get into the playoffs after graduating only three seniors from last year’s team. The Knights are expected to return top rusher Gunner Olsen and top defender Travis Tranah, and is expected to have a lot of sophomores and juniors leading the team.
Sandy Valley Sidewinders
Coach: Brett Kramer
2025 record: 4-5
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: Sandy Valley finished fifth in the 1A Southern League standings, just missing out on the playoffs. The Sidewinders last year had three losses decided by six points or fewer. Sandy Valley is expected to return top athletes Kyle Grossguth and Cesar Garcia.
Spring Mountain Golden Eagles
Coach: Marquis Buckner
2025 record: 7-3
Playoffs: Lost in 1A state quarterfinals to Pahranagat Valley
Breakdown: Spring Mountain is always a contender at the 1A Southern League standings. The Golden Eagles will look to continue their on-field success with an entirely new rosters this fall.
Tonopah Muckers
Coach: Duffy Otteson
2025 record: 12-1
Playoffs: Lost in 1A state championship game to Pahranagat Valley
Breakdown: Tonopah’s only loss last year came in the state title game to Pahranagat Valley. The Muckers only graduated four seniors from last year. Tonopah will be a contender to get back to the title game with the return of leading rusher Dustin Otteson and defender Landen Blackburn.
Independents
CIVICA Academy Wolves
Coach: Gus McNair (entering first season)
2025 record: 2-6
Playoffs: None
Breakdown: McNair, a former UNLV football player and head coach at Canyon Springs, is in his first season leading CIVICA Academy, a charter school in North Las Vegas, as the program begins its second season. It’s the school’s first season playing a full varsity schedule. The Wolves will play several out-of-state teams and local teams such as Needles, Cadence, The Meadows and Bishop Gorman on Nov. 6. The Wolves will feature top players such as Bakari Wilson and Nasier Thomas.
The Meadows Mustangs
Coach: Case Cookus (entering first season)
2025 record: 2-8
Playoffs: Lost in 3A Southern League quarterfinals to Pahrump Valley
Breakdown: Cookus has taken over The Meadows program after the retirement of longtime coach Jack Concannon. The Mustangs will drop from the 3A classification to play as an independent this fall and will have to replace the production of 10 outgoing seniors. They will match up with primarily 2A Southern Region opponents.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
