Game Preview: Arbor View (NV) vs. Lincoln (CA)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Breaking down the top storylines and players to watch in Saturday's marquee matchup between some of the top programs out of Las Vegas and San Diego. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Perimeter Matchups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most intriguing matchups in Saturday's game will be between two elite playmakers on the outside in Arbor View sophomore wideout [player_tooltip player_id='809092' first='Damani' last='Warren'] and Lincoln junior CB [player_tooltip player_id='780325' first='Cammeron' last='Purnell']. Warren- the top overall prospect in Nevada's 2027 class- picked up 10+ P-4 offers this offseason with his high-upside blend of size (6'4"/200), athleticism, and body control. He'll be making his first start on varsity against one of the top DB prospects in San Diego- [player_tooltip player_id='780325' first='Cammeron' last='Purnell']. Purnell's a talented cover-corner with the length, athleticism and fluidity to match Warren's unique skillset. Purnell- who totaled 3 INTs as a sophomore- has added offers from Cal, San Jose St., and Utah in recent months. On the inside, Arbor View slot WR [player_tooltip player_id='402175' first='Jayden' last='Williams'] will look for space against a talented group of slot CBs and safeties including Lincoln DBs [player_tooltip player_id='723867' first='Keontae' last='McClay'], <strong>Dameian Watkins Jr.</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='976918' first='Marcos' last='Pena'], and [player_tooltip player_id='723770' first='Abdulahi' last='Sharif']. Williams led the Aggies in receiving a season ago with 32 catches for 750 yards and 8 TDs as a sophomore. He's a quick, shifty playmaker that can do damage in the short-areas and with the ball in his hands. McClay brings length and versatility to the secondary with ability to play both man and deep zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trench Talk</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams feature serious talent and physicality on the front-seven. Lincoln's OL unit boasts multiple returning starters including senior OG [player_tooltip player_id='406670' first='Journey' last='Tala']. Tala's a massive interior presence at 6'4"/330 that can move bodies in the run game and anchor down in pass pro- he picked up his first offer from San Jose St. in June. Lincoln's OL unit will need to be urgent getting up to the second level to slow down one of the top LBs in the country in Utah-commit [player_tooltip player_id='811010' first='Christian' last='Thatcher']. Thatcher's a violent, highly productive tackler that's totaled over 300 tackles and 25 TFLs in his three seasons as starter. The speed and athleticism of Arbor View's LB core, that also includes up-and-coming 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1110879' first='Braylen' last='Gardner'], could present problems upfront if Lincoln's OL unit isn't able to get hats on them quick. Returning starter OT Raschon Hardeman will be tasked with slowing down two powerful EDGE defenders in 2026 DE [player_tooltip player_id='1139182' first='Tanielu' last='Maafala-Barbasa'] and 2025 TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1323311' first='Brian' last='Townsend']. Townsend will be competing in his first varsity football game as a senior but has already racked up nine D-I offers with the combination of speed, power, and raw athleticism he's shown on both sides of the ball this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arbor View returns their top lineman from last season in Fresno St.-commit [player_tooltip player_id='820612' first='Daniel' last='Boyd']. Boyd's a physical blocker with the versatility to play OG or OT. He'll likely be on the outside at OT where him and first-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='940575' first='Caden' last='Terry'] will be tasked with slowing down Lincoln's highly disruptive DEs: senior <strong>Munir</strong> <strong>Kassa</strong> and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='632310' first='Prince' last='Tavizon']. Kassa led the team in sacks last season with 12 and added 20 TFLs, while Tavizon's a fast-rising 2027 DE that's added eight D-I offers this offseason. The interior unit, led by returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1334169' first='Daniel' last='Eagar'], will look to keep Lincoln's senior DT <strong>Eugene</strong> <strong>Rice</strong> from penetrating the backfield and making disruptive plays. Rice is a stout run-stopper that totaled 71 tackles and 9 TFLs as a junior. Senior DT <strong>Rashad</strong> <strong>Scott</strong> is another front-seven defender to watch for Lincoln.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">QB Duel</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday's matchup will feature two of the top passers in their respective states. Oregon-commit [player_tooltip player_id='406658' first='Akili' last='Smith Jr.'] is the 3rd-ranked QB in California's 2025 class- he's a rare talent with elite physical traits in his size (6'5"/215), mobility, and arm strength. He led an explosive offensive a season ago with over 2,400 yards and 25 TDs. On the other side, Arbor View QB [player_tooltip player_id='803284' first='Thaddeus' last='Thatcher'] is the top-ranked passer in Nevada's 2027 class. Thatcher had an up-and-down freshman season that came with injuries and the expected growing pains of being a freshman starter on varsity. Thatcher, now coming into his second season as starter, has the opportunity to showcase the talent and development that's helped him pick up offers from Colorado, San Jose St., and Utah among others. Expect both QBs to put up big numbers and produce explosive plays in the season opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Faces</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the prospects I'm most looking forward to seeing are Arbor View DE/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1323311' first='Brian' last='Townsend'] and Lincoln WR [player_tooltip player_id='406718' first='Ty' last='Olsen']. Townsend's coming into his first season of varsity football bringing a basketball background and a high-level physical skillset. He packs size (6'4"/225), athleticism, speed, and power on both sides of the ball and should be a difference maker at both spots. He holds tremendous upside as a TE with his elite ball skills and physicality as a blocker. He showed good use of his hands and leverage as a pass rusher in last week's scrimmage against Faith Lutheran and should be able to create pressure off the edge. Lincoln lost significant playmakers this offseason but the offense's biggest addition came via Del Norte-transfer WR [player_tooltip player_id='406718' first='Ty' last='Olsen']. Olsen's coming off a highly productive junior season in which he was the second-leading receiver in San Diego with over 1,200 yards and 15 TDs on 74 catches. He's an explosive vertical threat that can create separation with his speed, is physical through traffic, and finishes with strong hands and ball skills. Look for Olsen to quickly establish himself as the primary target for QB [player_tooltip player_id='406658' first='Akili' last='Smith Jr.'] He holds offers from Cal, San Jose St., and Oregon St. among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the most exciting matchups on the early-season slate because of the speed, physicality, and D-I playmaking both teams bring to the table. Lincoln's success against high-level competition and non-conference opponents in recent years gives them a narrow edge over Arbor View in my opinion, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Arbor View head back to Nevada with a win. Regardless, I expect a close finish in this season opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->