5 Nevada Preps football games to watch Friday

All games Friday

Coronado at Foothill, 6 p.m.

Foothill won this battle 43-42 last year, so both teams have something to prove. The Cougars have a powerful ground game while the Falcons have one of the most dominant quarterbacks in town. That means solid defense will be the key to victory. Coronado enters with a four-game winning streak, while Foothill’s only losses have been to powerhouses Liberty and Mililani (Hawaii).

The sixth-ranked Cougars offense has averaged 42 points per game. They will likely focus on the run, but quarterback Beau Ventling is capable of leading long drives with big passes to standout wide receiver Tristan Grau. That success, along with the defensive line’s ability to put pressure on Falcons QB Ryder Dobbs, would give Coronado (4-1, 2-0 DI East) a significant edge.

But the 6-foot-4-inch Dobbs (11 TD passes) is elusive, meaning any mistake by the defense could be costly. Ninth-ranked Foothill (3-2, 2-1) is averaging 235 passing yards per game, thanks to Dobbs’ ability to connect with wide receiver Nixon Gasperosky. An offensive shootout would likely lean the Falcons’ way, so key stops by the defense will be vital.

Arbor View at Shadow Ridge, 6 p.m.

The Aggies dominated this contest with a 42-14 win last year. Their balanced offensive attack will again give them an advantage against an opponent that likes to keep the ball on the ground. This game will be physical, and the first line to wear down the other will likely lead its team to victory.

Oregon State commit Thaddeus Thatcher is a top-tier quarterback, and a big night by him would amount to a big night for third-ranked Arbor View (2-3, 1-0 DI West). The standout senior has passed for 260 yards a game and 11 TDs this season, and also is the team’s leading rusher. He performs well out of the pocket and is always willing to break a big run when necessary. Arbor View’s defense is known to produce clutch stops at pivotal moments, and might need a few of those against a strong running team.

The Mustangs (3-2, 2-0) will run the ball as much as possible, and they are skilled at producing long, clock-eating drives. Running back Isaiah Jones will be the man to watch, as he averages 91 yards per game. The defense will need to support him by preventing open escape routes for Thatcher. If it can disrupt his rhythm, this game will be close.

Palo Verde at Silverado, 6 p.m.

These teams have traditionally played each other closely, with Silverado winning three of the last five meetings. Though Palo Verde prevailed 35-22 in their most recent 2024 matchup, Silverado (3-2, 2-0 DII East) will have home-field advantage on its side. Palo Verde’s strength is physical play in the trenches, while QB Carmine Barilla’s ability to create plays on the ground or through the air will work to the Skyhawks’ advantage.

The undefeated and seventh-ranked Panthers (5-0, 1-0) have massive linemen on both sides of the ball, and will again try to use that edge to overpower their opponents. Veteran running backs Seth Thayer and Darrek Walker will attempt to capitalize on that advantage, as they have been instrumental in Palo Verde’s five wins. The defense must contain Silverado wideout Jaxton Seward (73 yards per game), and safety Beau Gardineer will need a big game in deep coverage.

Silverado’s chances will largely hinge on Barilla’s effectiveness. He is a freshman, so linemen such as 6-foot-7-inch, 350-pound senior right tackle Matthew Trotter must provide him with some time to make the right decisions. Barilla has thrown 10 TD passes this season, and another big performance could keep the score close. The defense will have to find a way to be competitive at the line of scrimmage, limiting Palo Verde’s keen ability to produce long, methodical drives.

Faith Lutheran at Bishop Gorman, 7 p.m.

Bishop Gorman (4-1, 1-0 5A Southern) is ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps. The Gaels blew past national powerhouse Mater Dei 25-8 on the road last week to complete a grueling non-league schedule that included four elite out-of-state teams. This all boils down to a nearly impossible task for Faith Lutheran (3-3, 0-0), which would make national news with a victory in this game.

The Gaels should dominate the trenches, allowing QB Ace Amina to wear down the Crusaders with vertical quick strikes. They will keep the defense guessing with occasional big runs by running back Noah Cole, and will attempt to break Faith Lutheran’s spirit by halftime.

Any chances the Crusaders have at keeping up would likely come as the result of a letdown by Gorman after last week’s big win. The offense will look for opportunities to turn small plays into big gains, and even a modest drive could result in a field goal by elite kicker Liam Radke. Although the defense has shown effectiveness by mixing up man, zone and blitz schemes, there have also been lapses against better offensive opponents. How could the Crusaders win? It would take a flawless game and would be used as motivational film for the next several decades.

Clark at Green Valley, 7 p.m.

The only obvious edge in this non-league game goes to the Gators for holding home-field advantage. These teams have extremely comparable offensive and defensive totals, with the Gators (3-1) riding a two-game winning streak and the Chargers (3-2) looking to erase the frustration of last week’s 27-26 overtime loss to Legacy.

Look for the Gators to put the ball in the air. Led by QB Michael Lewis, they have averaged 239 passing yards per game. If he can consistently complete quick strikes to receivers Boden Hackenbruck and Sonny Uranich, the Chargers will be in trouble. Defensively, Green Valley must control the line of scrimmage to limit Clark’s running game while also stepping up the pressure on QB Ramiro Reinaldo. He will make them pay for any lethargic pass rushing.

The Chargers average 175 yards on the ground this season, and are likely to continue that strategy. If they can wear down the Gators’ defensive line with clock-eating drives, Reinaldo could have a look at some surprise big-yardage passes. Defensively, the Chargers must mount an effective pass rush and the backfield must be ready for the Gators’ inevitable long-yardage passing attack.