Friday’s Nevada Preps top 5 football games to watch

All games Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Desert Pines at Shadow Ridge, 6 p.m.

The Jaguars go into this league game with a slight offensive advantage, but the Mustangs can say the same about their defense. The winner of that battle is likely to determine the outcome.

Shadow Ridge (2-2, 1-0 Independent DI West) will try to use its home-field advantage and tough defensive front in its favor. The Mustangs have held opponents to 19 points per game this season, and a repeat performance could be the key to a win. Shadow Ridge prefers to run the ball, a strategy that was unsuccessful in a pair of losses to California teams in pre-league games. But it has since averaged 49 points against local teams. Isaiah Jones (111 yards, two TDs last week) will lead the Mustangs’ running game and he is also among the team’s top defenders.

If Desert Pines (2-2, 0-0) can force the Mustangs to pass by shutting down their preferred running game to build a lead, the Jaguars will have a good look at a win. Desert Pines might need a couple of possessions to find a sweet spot offensively, but an effective triple-option attack could go a long way. Quarterback Jerome Jackson and running back Alvin Pollard will be the players to watch.

Legacy at Clark, 6 p.m.

Both teams have the same overall record, and this game has all the makings of an offensive slugfest. Legacy (3-1, 1-0 Independent DII West) averages 41 points per game and Clark (3-1, 0-0) averages 36, so no lead will be safe in a battle that could come down to a single defensive stop.

The Longhorns’ balanced offensive attack and ability to convert big passing plays will give them the advantage. Jaelynn Love-Carter is an effective dual-threat quarterback and he performs well in clutch situations. If he can consistently connect with favorite receivers Ky’Ree Perkins and Dayshawn Bucklew, Legacy could take control early. Paired with running back Cameron Turner (153 yards per game), this offense will be tough to stop.

But Clark running back Felix Romero is equally explosive, and he has 13 TDs this season to prove it. If he and wide receiver Isaiah Romero put up big numbers, this game will go down to the wire. At the same time, the Chargers will have to manage a better defensive performance than they did in a loss to Moapa Valley last week, when they gave up 42 points. Clark is capable of winning this league game with a strong night on both sides of the ball.

Bishop Gorman at Mater Dei (California)

Most teams have a nemesis, and Gorman’s is Mater Dei. There is no such thing as an inconsequential game between the teams, as there have been national-level implications involved in all five of their previous meetings dating back to 2017. The Gaels (3-1) have lost each of those contests and will use that frustration as motivation to try to win this critical road game.

Though the Gaels’ No. 1 national ranking disappeared when they lost 33-28 to Florida’s Christopher Columbus on Aug. 28, they are still ranked eighth by MaxPreps. They must win out to have any chance at reclaiming the top spot, and that will start with tough defense out of cornerback Hayden Stepp. Gorman gave up 33 points to Columbus, and that’s too many to spot the 13th-ranked Monarchs. The offense looks in good shape, as QB Ace Amina and running back Noah Cole have helped the Gaels put up 36 points per game this season against top-shelf competition.

Mater Dei (4-0) does most of its talking with defense, and that includes last week’s 10-9 victory over Centennial of Corona (Calif.). An elite front line could slow the Gaels, allowing Mater Dei to minimize offensive concerns resulting from a season of experimentation with three different quarterbacks. If the Monarchs can avoid turnovers and successfully solve Gorman’s nationally-recognized secondary, they will have another opportunity to spoil the Gaels’ season.

Foothill at Liberty

The Patriots have defeated the Falcons by a combined 92-30 in the last two meetings, and they’ll again have a decisive advantage in this league game. Second-ranked Liberty played a brutal pre-league schedule, and will be ready for an eighth-ranked Foothill team that would need to put up a lot of points against an elite defense.

The Patriots (2-2, 1-0 Independent DI East) logged six sacks in last year’s 50-30 victory over the Falcons (3-1, 1-0), which is the same number they logged last week against Desert Oasis. The defensive line could create offensive chaos for Foothill and standout QB Ryder Dobbs. Offensively, Liberty was held to 15 points per game against elite out-of-state pre-league competition, but erupted for 42 points against Desert Oasis. Quarterback Madden Delacruz is highly efficient (11 of 13 for 236 yards and two TDs last week) and a good director of traffic. If he repeats, the Patriots win.

Foothill’s offense must find a way to penetrate Liberty’s defensive line, and a mobile Dobbs is a good place to start. If he gets strong pass protection and scrambles effectively, the Falcons can make a game of it. The defense will need to prevent big plays, and strong special teams play could catch Liberty off guard to give Foothill the momentum. Nearly everything will have to go right for the Falcons to win this one on the road.

Palo Verde at Moapa Valley

The undefeated and seventh-ranked Panthers (4-0) will be favored, but the 10th-ranked Pirates (4-1) are among the scariest teams in town because they are capable of surprising just about anyone. Both teams are coming off big wins and capable of running up the score.

Moapa has averaged 38 points this season behind an effective spread-option offense. QB Kamden Drosos (260 yards against Clark last week) can take over games, as can running back Briggs Hickman. The Pirates have an unusual number of capable rushers and receivers, and their ability to surprise Palo Verde early would be a key part of a Moapa victory.

Palo Verde will need to prevent Moapa’s trademark big plays and force long-yardage third downs. The Panthers defense has gotten the team through slow starts this season, so such goals are within reach. Disrupting Drosos’ rhythm could be the biggest key to victory. Offensively, Palo Verde must take advantage of Moapa’s light rush defense with physical, disciplined play. If the Panthers can pound the ball up the middle to wear the Pirates’ defensive line down by halftime, the second-half could make the difference.