Northern 4A Capsules

BISHOP MANOGUE MINERS

2010 Record: 8-3 overall, 6-2 Northern 4A (4th).

Playoffs: Beat No. 5 Reno 20-14, OT; lost to No. 1 McQueen 40-17.

Coach: Paul Mills, seventh season (44-22).

Outlook: In a year of untested QBs, the Miners seem to have the prime prospect in TJ Menning. Kenni Rogers was quietly devastating as a complimentary running back in 2010 and the Manogue defense should be solid as always. They're a legitimate top 3 or 4 team in the Northern 4A.

Key Games: Sept. 16 at Douglas; Oct. 1 vs. Carson; Oct. 14 at Reed; Oct. 22 vs. McQueen.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26Manogue 28, Galena 20

Sept. 9vs. Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Douglas7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Reno7:30 p.m.

Oct. 1vs. Carson1:30 p.m.

Oct. 14at Reed7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21vs. McQueen7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27vs. Hug7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4at North Valleys7 p.m.

CARSON SENATORS

2010 Record: 10-2 overall, 7-1 Northern 4A (2nd).

Playoffs: Beat No. 7 Spanish Springs 28-21; beat No. 3 Reed 20-18; lost to No. 1 McQueen 34-14.

Coach: Blair Roman, fourth season (22-12).

Outlook: Take away for a second the fact that they have the region's most explosive player in Dylan Sawyers. The Senators have grown into a borderline elite program in a very short amount of time. 2009: Regional semifinalist. 2010: Regional runner-up. What will 2011 hold?

Key Games: Oct. 1 at Manogue; Oct. 7 vs. Douglas; Oct. 21 vs. Spanish Springs.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Sept. 3at Highland (Idaho)7 p.m.

Sept. 16vs. North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23at Hug7:30 p.m.

Oct. 1at Manogue1:30 p.m.

Oct. 7vs. Douglas7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14at Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21vs. Spanish Springs7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27at Galena7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4vs. Reno7:30 p.m.

DAMONTE RANCH

MUSTANGS

2010 Record: 0-9 overall, 0-8 Northern 4A (11th).

Playoffs: None.

Coach: Tony Amantia, sixth season (15-31).

Outlook: Don't let that 2010 record fool anyone. The Mustangs put up some points against some tough defenses with an inexperienced squad. Expect them to vie for a 2011 playoff spot.

Key Games: Sept. 2 at Reno; Oct. 7 at North Valleys.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Sept. 2at Reno7:30 p.m.

Sept. 9at Manogue7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16vs. McQueen7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23vs. Spanish Springs7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7at North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14vs. Carson7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21at Douglas7 p.m.

Oct. 27at Reed7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4vs. Hug7:30 p.m.

DOUGLAS TIGERS

2010 Record: 4-6 overall, 4-4 Northern 4A (5th).

Playoffs: Lost to Reed 20-18.

Coach: Mike Rippee, 27th season (133-119).

Outlook: No-huddle offense and retooled defense. What does it all mean? We'll find out in a hurry as the Tigers face the toughest early schedule of anyone else in the region (all four 2010 regional semifinalists in five weeks).

Key Games: Sept. 9 at Reed; Sept. 16 vs. Manogue; Sept. 30 vs. McQueen; Oct. 7 at Carson.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Sept. 3at Pocatello, Idaho4 p.m.

Sept. 9at Reed7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16vs. Manogue7 p.m.

Sept. 23at North Valleys7 p.m.

Sept. 30vs. McQueen7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7at Carson7 p.m.

Oct. 14at Hug7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21vs. Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27at Spanish Springs7 p.m.

Nov. 4vs. Galena7:30 p.m.

GALENA GRIZZLIES

2010 Record: 2-7 overall, 2-6 Northern 4A (9th).

Playoffs: None.

Coach: Steve Struzyk, ninth season (43-46).

Outlook: The Grizzlies hit their stride late in the year with a young group last season, posting a statement win over Douglas in the finale. Junior Tucker Melcher may be the region's most underrated quarterback.

Key Games: Aug. 26 vs. Manogue; Sept. 9 at Reno; Sept. 16 at Spanish Springs; Oct. 21; vs. North Valleys.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26Manogue 28, Galena 20

Sept. 3at Minico, Idaho11 a.m.

Sept. 9at Reno7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Spanish Springs7 p.m.

Sept. 30vs. Hug7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7vs. Reed7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14at McQueen7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21vs. North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27vs. Carson7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4at Douglas7 p.m.

HUG HAWKS

2010 Record: 1-7 overall, 1-8 High Desert League (10th).

Playoffs: None.

Coach: Derek Bennett, first season (0-0).

Outlook: New coach, new attitude, new beginning. Look for a rejuvenated Hawks squad to score a couple unexpected victories along the way.

Key Games: Aug. 26 at North Valleys; Sept. 30 at Galena; Oct. 7 vs. Reno; Nov. 4 at Damonte Ranch.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26North Valleys 48, Hug 37

Sept. 9vs. Spanish Springs7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Reed7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23vs. Carson7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30at Galena7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7vs. Reno7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14vs. Douglas7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27at Manogue7 p.m.

Nov. 4at Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

McQUEEN LANCERS

2010 Record: 11-2 overall, 7-1 High Desert League (1st).

Playoffs: beat No. 8 North Valleys 42-20; beat No. 4 Manogue 40-17; beat No. 2 Carson 34-14; State semifinals: beat Liberty 7-6; State championship: lost to Bishop Gorman 40-0.

Coach: Jim Snelling, third season (18-6).

Outlook: Senior running back Arnold Carillo is sneaky fast and he'll be working behind a strong line. The defending regional champs should realistically return to the title game, but they have some stiff tests through the middle of the season with Reed, Douglas and Spanish Springs in order.

Key Games: Sept. 23 vs. Reed; Sept. 30 at Douglas; Oct. 21 at Manogue.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26Nevada Union, Calif. 27, McQueen 6

Sept. 9at North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23vs. Reed7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30at Douglas7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7vs. Spanish Springs7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14vs. Galena7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21at Manogue7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27vs. Reno7:30 p.m.

NORTH VALLEYS PANTHERS

2010 Record: 2-8 overall, 2-6 High Desert League (8th).

Playoffs: Lost to No. 1 McQueen 42-20.

Coach: Ty Gregg, second season (8-12).

Outlook: North Valleys has the offensive system in place to give opponents fits. If the defense shows improvement over 2010, look for their win total to improve as well.

Key Games: Aug, 26 vs. Hug; Sept. 2 at Spanish Springs; Oct. 7 at Damonte Ranch; Oct. 14 at Reno; Oct. 21 at Galena.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26North Valleys 48, Hug 37

Sept. 2at Spanish Springs7 p.m.

Sept. 9vs. McQueen7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Carson7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23vs. Douglas7 p.m.

Sept. 30at Reed7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7vs. Damonte Ranch7 p.m.

Oct. 14at Reno7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21at Galena7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4vs. Manogue7 p.m.

REED RAIDERS

2010 Record: 9-3 overall, 7-1 High Desert League (3rd).

Playoffs: Beat No. 6 Douglas 20-18; lost to No. 2 Carson 20-0.

Coach: Ernie Howren, 11th season (77-39).

Outlook: Big and physical on the lines, loaded on defense and deep with veteran experience at the skill positions. No one wants to pick a regional favorite in the ultra-balanced Northern 4A, but if you really want one, the Reed Raiders are your team.

Key Games: Sept. 9 vs. Douglas; Sept. 23 vs. McQueen; Oct. 14 vs. Manogue.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26Granite Bay (Calif.) 43, Reed 37

Sept. 9vs. Douglas7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16vs. Hug7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23at McQueen 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30vs. North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7at Galena7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14vs. Manogue7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21at Reno7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27vs. Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4at Spanish Springs7 p.m.

RENO HUSKIES

2010 Record: 6-5 overall, 4-4 High Desert League (6th).

Playoffs: Lost to No. 4 Manogue 20-14, OT.

Coach: Dan Avansino, 10th season (59-48).

Outlook: The Huskies pulled off a huge upset of Carson to end the regular season and pushed Manogue to overtime in the playoffs. Look for the Huskies to use those games to propel into 2011. This is a program that, every year, gets exponentially better as the year wears on. A regional semifinal appearance is not out of the question.

Key Games: Sept. 2 vs. Damonte Ranch; Sept. 9 vs. Galena; Oct. 7 at Hug; Nov. 4 at Carson.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Sept. 2vs. Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Sept. 9vs. Galena7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16at Inderkum, Calif.TBA

Sept. 23vs. Manogue7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30at Spanish Springs7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7at Hug7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14vs. North Valleys7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21vs. Reed7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27at McQueen7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4at Carson7:30 p.m.

SPANISH SPRINGS COUGARS

2010 Record: 5-5 overall, 4-4 High Desert League (7th).

Playoffs: Lost to No. 2 Carson 28-21.

Coach: Scott Hare, sixth season (22-28).

Outlook: If Douglas has the toughest early-season schedule, Spanish Springs has the toughest back half. The Cougars should be 5-0 against Nevada opponents heading into the Oct. 7 date with McQueen (just as they were last year). Then we'll find out how they stack up against the region's elite. A couple key wins down the stretch and the Cougars could be vying for a league title.

Key Games: Sept. 2 vs. North Valleys; Sept. 9 at Hug; Sept. 17 vs. Galena; Sept. 23 at Damonte Ranch Sept. 30 vs. Reno; Oct. 27 vs. Douglas.

2011 SCHEDULE

DateOpponentTime

Aug. 26Del Oro, Calif. 55, Spanish Springs 14

Sept. 2vs. North Valleys7 p.m.

Sept. 9at Hug7 p.m.

Sept. 16vs. Galena7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Damonte Ranch7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30vs. Reno7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7at McQueen7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21at Carson7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27vs. Douglas7 p.m.

Nov. 4vs. Reed7 p.m.

by Joey Crandall

NORTHERN 4A COMPOSITE SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 2

Damonte Ranch at Reno, 7:30 p.m.; North Valleys at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 3

Carson at Highland (Idaho) at Idaho State University, 7 p.m.; Douglas at Pocatello (Idaho) at Idaho State University, 4 p.m.; Galena at Minico (Idaho) at Idaho State University, 11 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 9

Douglas at Reed, 7:30 p.m.; Damonte Ranch at Manogue, 7:30 p.m.; Galena at Reno, 7:30 p.m.; Spanish Springs at Hug, 7:30 p.m.; McQueen at North Valleys, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16

Manogue at Douglas, 7 p.m.; North Valleys at Carson, 7:30 p.m.; McQueen at Damonte Ranch, 7:30 p.m.; Galena at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.; Hug at Reed, 7:30 p.m.; Reno at Inderkum (Calif.) TBA.

Friday, Sept. 23

Manogue at Reno, 7:30 p.m.; Carson at Hug, 7:30 p.m.; Spanish Springs at Damonte Ranch, 7:30 p.m.; Douglas at North Valleys, 7 p.m.; Reed at McQueen, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30

McQueen at Douglas, 7:30 p.m.; Hug at Galena, 7:30 p.m.; North Valleys at Reed, 7:30 p.m.; Reno at Spanish Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Carson at Manogue, 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7

Douglas at Carson, 7:30 p.m.; Damonte Ranch at North Valleys, 7:30 p.m.; Reed at Galena, 7:30 p.m.; Reno at Hug, 7:30 p.m.; Spanish Springs at McQueen, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14

Manogue at Reed, 7:30 p.m.; Carson at Damonte Ranch, 7:30 p.m.; Galena at McQueen, 7:30 p.m.; Douglas at Hug, 7:30 p.m. North Valleys at Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21

Spanish Springs at Carson, 7:30 p.m.; Damonte Ranch at Douglas, 7 p.m.; North Valleys at Galena, 7:30 p.m.; McQueen at Manogue, 7:30 p.m.; Reed at Reno, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Carson at Galena, 7:30 p.m.; Damonte Ranch at Reed, 7:30 p.m.; Douglas at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.; Hug at Manogue, 7 p.m.; Reno at McQueen, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 4

Manogue at North Valleys, 7 p.m.; Reno at Carson, 7:30 p.m.; Galena at Douglas, 7:30 p.m.; Hug at Damonte Ranch, 7:30 p.m.; Reed at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.