Friday
Desert Oasis at Palo Verde, 6 p.m.
It’s been a while, but Desert Oasis will finally get a chance to avenge that painful 49-38 loss to the Panthers in the 2023 5A Division III South semifinal game. Palo Verde looks a little better on paper so far this year, but football fans know that’s no guarantee of anything.
The 10th-ranked Panthers are 2-0 and coming off a thrilling 28-26 road win over Legacy last week. Senior X’Zavier McZeal is among the top wide receivers in the state, so his play-making ability will have to be contained if the ninth-ranked Diamondbacks (1-0) want any chance at a win.
Desert Oasis also had a big victory last week, scoring a late TD to beat Sierra Vista 36-28 in overtime. If the Diamondbacks can continue that momentum and get the most of quarterback Preston Helsham (238 yards for three TDs last week), fans might be looking at a high-scoring shootout that could go their way.
Spring Valley at Bonanza, 6 p.m.
These two teams appear to be heading in opposite directions, making the Grizzlies the favorite. Also known as the “Banner Game,” this matchup was decisively won 45-24 by Spring Valley last year.
The Grizzlies (1-0) have a high-powered offense that includes standouts like junior wide receiver King Kahalewai, who racked up 144 receiving in last week’s 27-8 win over Durango. Put that together with a defense that gave up just one score in the opener, and chances are looking good for a win.
A victory by the Bengals (0-1) would require some creativity. A decisive edge in the turnover battle, a particularly strong opening drive, or a successful early trick play could cause Spring Valley to second-guess itself while putting Bonanza in the driver’s seat.
Canyon Springs at Coronado, 7 p.m.
It’s never easy for a squad from Southern Nevada to cross the desert and beat a California team, but the Cougars did just that last week by routing Lancaster 42-16. Things are going their way, and likely will continue to do so this week.
Led by running back Matthias Rantissi, who put 104 rushing yards and two TDs on the board last week, Coronado (1-1) has a potent, balanced offense that can’t wait to take advantage of a struggling defense. Enter Canyon Springs.
The Pioneers (0-1) coughed up 43 points in their loss to Green Valley last week while managing to score just eight. But there’s always a chance of a turnaround, and that would require slowing Coronado’s big-play offense while minimizing the unforced mistakes that killed them last week. A big offensive game from wide receivers Surdemetri Rodgers and Amarion McIntyre-McCallister also wouldn’t hurt.
Foothill at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.
Possibly the toughest call of the week. Both teams are 1-0, but the Cougars are ranked third in the state by MaxPreps and the Falcons come in at No. 13. Spanish Springs will also have the home field, which is at 4,554 feet elevation.
The defending 5A state champion Cougars will try to win it with a big passing game. QB Kanon Boggs threw for 154 yards and four TDs in last week’s 35-7 win over Carson, and wide receiver George Deacon-Buddy (all four TD receptions) should be his top target.
But Foothill will answer with the more experienced lineup that includes several promising transfers. Junior quarterback Ryder Dobbs may hold the key. He passed for 308 yards and four TDs in last week’s 42-8 pummeling of Basic, and another such performance could put his team over the top. The Falcons also have the deeper lineup, and coach Vernon Brown’s option to rotate players in and out of the lineup could be just enough.
Saturday
Bishop Gorman at Columbus (Florida), 11 a.m.
This is a bad week for any team to have to face Gorman, but that’s the situation Columbus faces this week. The Gaels defeated previously top-ranked St. John Bosco of California 38-28 last week to claim MaxPreps’ top spot in the nation, and the excitement remains sky high. Don’t expect overconfidence to play a role. Brent Browner is still the coach, and that’s not something he will allow to happen.
The game will be part of the Broward County High School National Football Showcase in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Gorman’s top-shelf defense will be ready to go, and QB Ace Amina (227 yards, four TDs last week) looks like the real deal on the other side of the ball.
The Explorers have a proud history of elite football, but the only edge they’ll have Saturday is home-state advantage. If the Gaels get really, really tired from the flight out East, ESPN could have a banner game on its hands.
Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.
