Program Preview: Foothill Falcons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Foothill played their way into the state's top division by finishing second in Nevada's 5A D-II Southern League with a 9-3 (5-1 league) record last season. The Falcons will look to replace some key pieces from one of the most explosive passing offenses in Nevada last season including their starting QB and four leading receivers from a season ago. They open the season this Friday 8/16 with a matchup against D-3A SLAM and end the season with a challenging three-game stretch of Liberty (10/18), Coronado (10/24), and Arbor View (11/1)</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566740' first='Eugene' last='Altobella III']</strong> (RB, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112490' first='Avant' last='Gates Jr.']</strong> (ATH, 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1110893' first='Braxton' last='Bonnett'] (WR, 2026), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402182' first='Parker' last='Stovall']</strong> (OL, 2025), <strong>Dmitry Shalin</strong> (OL, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820640' first='William' last='Barker'] </strong>(DB, 2025),<strong> Dallin Bair</strong> (DL, 2026), <strong>Kazuo</strong> <strong>Greenbaum</strong> (DB, 2025), <strong>Bryan Esele</strong> (DL, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111095' first='Marcus' last='Gill']</strong> (DL, 2025),<strong> Isaiah Sams </strong>(DB, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1567084' first='Brennon' last='Arthur']</strong> (QB, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571269' first='Michael' last='Soto']</strong> (LB, 2025),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1222875' first='Micah' last='Farrar']</strong> (WR, 2026), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='940784' first='Tristan' last='Tijerina'] </strong>(WR, 2027), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599391' first='Charlie' last='Tannenbaum']</strong> (OL, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Schedule</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/16 @ SLAM&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/23 vs. Sunrise Mountain&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/6 @ Silverado</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/13 vs. Clark</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/20 vs. Desert Pines</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/5 @ Bishop Gorman</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/10 @ Basic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/18 @ Liberty</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/24 vs. Coronado&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>11/1 vs. Arbor View</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foothill's offense will turn to senior QB <strong>Brennon</strong> <strong>Arthur</strong> to replace the state's leader in passing yards and TDs from last season following the graduation of standout QB Mason Dew. Arthur flashed promising arm strength and accuracy on his deep ball in limited playing time as a junior. He showed comfort and mobility from the pocket and completed some tough throws when facing pressure. He'll have a mostly new cast of playmakers to throw to, including junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1110893' first='Braxton' last='Bonnett']. Bonnett- the #4 WR in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings- is a savvy athlete that showed promising speed and technical skill as a route-runner last season. Look for Bonnett- who totaled 300 receiving yards and 2 TDs as a sophomore- to produce a breakout season with increased opportunities this fall. 2026 WL wideout- [player_tooltip player_id='1222875' first='Micah' last='Farrar']- is another playmaker to keep tabs on this season. The offense returns it's two leading rushers from last season in RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566740' first='Eugene' last='Altobella III']</strong> (107 rushes, 560 yards, 4 TDs) and ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112490' first='Avant' last='Gates Jr.']</strong> (700+ all-purpose yards, 9 total TDs). Altobella's a well-balanced RB that can handle tough carries between the OTs, catch out of the backfield, and pass protect. He's a deceptive runner that can make the first defender miss and finishes runs physically through defenders. Altobella is firmly on the rankings radar ahead of his senior season. Gates is a talented two-way player (RB/DB) that brings valuable versatility to the offense in his athleticism as a ball-handler and his receiving skillset. Junior OT [player_tooltip player_id='402182' first='Parker' last='Stovall'] anchors the OL unit from his LT spot. Stovall- the #13 overall prospect and #1 OL in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings- is an athletic mover at 6'3"/250 that excels in pass protection and possesses the strength to seal the edge in the run game. Senior OG <strong>Dmitry Shalin</strong> is a returning starter and a physical piece in the interior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior DBs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820640' first='William' last='Barker']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112490' first='Avant' last='Gates Jr.']</strong> are the top returning tacklers for Foothill's defensive unit. The two totaled over 100 tackles and 4 INTs together last season. Barker's a physical SS/OLB that offers high-upside versatility in his ability to tackle around the LOS and make plays in both man and zone coverage. Gates is a smooth perimeter CB with proven ability to create turnovers (2 INTs, 4 FF in 2023). He's an aggressive tackler in space that looks to pry the ball away from ball-carriers and plays with strong instincts in zone coverage. Nickel/S <strong>Kazuo</strong> <strong>Greenbaum</strong> is another senior DB to watch in the Foothill secondary- Greenbaum offers great length (6'3"/190), is a physical tackler around the LOS, and can make plays over the slot or in deep zone. Junior DE<strong> Dallin Bair</strong> is a sleeper DL prospect that quietly put together a strong sophomore season with 33 tackles, a team-leading 5 sacks, and 7 TFLs. Bair has great physical tools at 6'5"/230 and has continued to develop his craft throughout the offseason. Look for Bair to put his name on Nevada's 2026 radar with a strong follow up to his sophomore campaign. Senior DL <strong>Bryan</strong> <strong>Esele</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='1111095' first='Marcus' last='Gill'] should also be productive pieces of the defensive front-seven. Senior captain <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571269' first='Michael' last='Soto']</strong> is a player to watch from the LB group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->