Program Preview: Desert Pines Jaguars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Desert Pines' promising young talent shined in their 4-6 season last fall and now come into 2024 with a new head coach looking to replace several underclassment standouts lost to transfer this offseason including the state's top LB in the 2026 class (Kenneth Goodwin) and the team's leading passer and receiver from a season ago (AJ Stowers and Massiah Mingo). Despite the losses, Desert Pines still returns key starters and multiple D-I talents on both sides of the ball. They'll face three lower-division Vegas teams in Centennial, Legacy, and Las Vegas as well as a strong team out of Southern California (Ayala) before starting league play against Foothill on 8/20. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> <strong>Treyshaun</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong> (ATH, 2026), <strong>Luey</strong> <strong>Jaime</strong> (WR, 2026), <strong>Isaiah</strong> <strong>Teo</strong> (DB, 2025), <strong>Lono</strong> <strong>Solomon</strong> (DL, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402171' first='Darius' last='McClendon']</strong> (DB, 2026), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402180' first='Majik' last='McMillion']</strong> (DB, 2026), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820603' first='Reginald' last='Tiggs'] </strong>(DB, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820626' first='Gabriel' last='Gough']</strong> (OL, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820639' first='Emiliano' last='Yepez']</strong> (OL, 2025),</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players</strong> <strong>to Watch:</strong> <strong>Marshawn</strong> <strong>Leaks</strong> (RB, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557049' first='Khalil' last='Abdullah']</strong> (DB, 2027), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='940895' first='Jalen' last='Alvarez']</strong> (DB, 2027), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1330863' first='Zeyshawn' last='Martin'] </strong>(DL, 2025), <strong>Demichael</strong> <strong>Burks</strong> (WR, 2027), <strong>Aidan</strong> <strong>Barbosa</strong> (OL, 2027), <strong>Darrian</strong> <strong>Duffy</strong> (DL, 2027), <strong>Jahmi</strong> <strong>Harrison</strong> (WR, 2027), <strong>Eddie</strong> <strong>Loera</strong> (DB, 2027), <strong>Michael</strong> <strong>Taylor</strong> (TE/DE, 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Schedule</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/23 vs. Centennial&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/31 @ Ayala (CA)&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/6 @ Legacy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/13 @ Las Vegas&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/20 @ Foothill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/27 vs. Basic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/5 @ Arbor View</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/10 vs. Liberty&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/18 vs. Coronado&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/24 @ Bishop Gorman</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The late departure of QB AJ Stowers to Mount Miguel (San Diego) put Desert Pines in the tough spot of installing a new starting QB less than a month before their opening game- senior ATH <strong>Zeyshawn</strong> <strong>Martin </strong>might be the top candidate to takeover as signal-caller. The 6'2"/195 flashed potential at DE in spring practices but was also taking reps at QB. Whoever steps up in Stowers' place will have a talented group of WRs to throw to, led by PRZ NV's #4-prospect in the 2026 class- <strong>Treyshaun</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong>. Jackson's an elite athlete on both sides of the ball (WR/DB) holding nine D-I offers from the likes of Texas A&amp;M, Tennessee, and Washington. Junior wideout <strong>Luey</strong> <strong>Jaime</strong> was a valuable target last season that should continue to be an important playmaker for the offense. Jaime's a smooth athlete with promising length and physicality as a pass catcher. Senior <strong>Marshawn</strong> <strong>Leaks</strong> is the top returning back after the graduation of one of the best RBs in the state from last season (Greg Burrell- UNLV). The OL unit features returning starters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820626' first='Gabriel' last='Gough'] </strong>and <strong>Emiliano</strong> <strong>Yepez</strong>. Gough's a versatile piece of the OL with proven ability and athleticism to play multiple positions. Yepez is a heavy presence upfront at 6'2"/300 that can move interior DL off the ball from his C position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desert Pines' defense is led by D-I talent at multiple positions. DE <strong>Steven</strong> <strong>Manuma</strong> is a disruptive force off the edge with elite speed and athleticism for the position. Manuma- who led the team with 9 sacks as a junior- holds offers from UNLV and Utah Tech. Depending on how the QB situation plays out, ATH <strong>Zeyshawn</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> could develop into a breakout senior on the defensive side of the ball with the physical tools he possesses as an edge rusher- he showed promising finesse in his pass-rush skillset this spring. The secondary features Portland St.-commit <strong>Lono</strong> <strong>Solomon</strong> and several underrated talents. Solomon's a violent SS that likes to attack the ball aggressively downhill and make physical tackles around the LOS. The defense also returns it's leading tackler from last season in senior DB <strong>Isaiah</strong> <strong>Teo</strong>. Teo's another physical presence in the seconday that fills a hybrid LB role with the sideline-to-sideline range and tackling ability he brings. Teo- who totaled 74 tackles as a junior- picked up his first offers from Minot St. and Carroll College this offseason. Junior DBs <strong>Darius</strong> <strong>McClendon</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402180' first='Majik' last='McMillion']</strong> are some of the top ranked CB prospects in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings. Look for McClendon and McMillion, along with two-way star <strong>Treyshaun</strong> <strong>Jackson</strong>, to lead the way in turnover production for the Jaguars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->