Northern Nevada Week 1 Preview: Elko vs. Douglas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing the players to know ahead of Friday's northern Nevada matchup between Elko and Douglas. Douglas (0-1) lost their season opener to Fernley last week while Elko will be seeing their first game action of the season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Elko</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elko returns it's top passer, rusher, and receiver from a season ago in [player_tooltip player_id='876943' first='Ethan' last='Kraintz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1576334' first='Jake' last='Carsrud'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1576896' first='Coy' last='Jones']. Kraintz is a third-year starter at QB that's continued to show promising development as a passer this offseason and was recently a rankings risers in last month's update. He's an athletic dual-threat that can get the job done with both his arm and legs (942 rushing yards and 11 TDs as a junior). Carsrud was a breakout playmaker out of the backfield rushing for 800+ yards and 15 TDs in 2024. He's a physical, north-south runner that likes to get downhill and bulldoze his way through defenders. Carsrud ranks as the #5 RB in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings. Jones was another breakout player for Elko's offense last season totaling 635 yards and 9 TDs on 44 catches as a junior. He's an athletic two-way player that brings high-level ball skills to the perimeter. Jones should again be one of northern Nevada's most productive wideouts this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elko's defensive unit returns it's top two tacklers from last season in a pair of senior LBs- <strong>Ryder Miller</strong> (89 total) and <strong>Alan Campos</strong> (80 total). Senior DB [player_tooltip player_id='1576894' first='Carter' last='Kidwell'] led the defense in interceptions with 6 last season. Kidwell is a rangy free safety that showed his ability read/track QB eyes and make plays over the middle of the field in his junior film. He's an instinctive coverage defender that anticipates passes and takes sharp angles to undercut and create turnovers. Kidwell was also a productive tackler recording 63 total (50 solo) last season. Two-way standout, [player_tooltip player_id='1576896' first='Coy' last='Jones'], is another defender to watch in the secondary. Jones totaled 5 INTs as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Douglas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglas' offense is looking to replace it's starting QB and top receiver from a season ago. Senior QB <strong>Joe Michel </strong>led a run-heavy attack in the Tigers' week 0 loss last week. The offense relied heavily on it's top playmaker, [player_tooltip player_id='1584952' first='Zack' last='Jackson'], who racked up 156 yards and 3 TDs on 25 carries last friday. Jackson is the team's top returning rusher and receiver after racking up over 1,700 total yards (1,415 rushing) and 20 TDs as a junior. He's a physical, downhill runner that runs hard behind his pads and is a skilled pass catcher out of the backfield. Jackson picked up his first D-I offer from Southern Utah in June. Two-way starter (OL/DL) [player_tooltip player_id='876954' first='Justin' last='Parra-McGee'] is a player to watch on the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' defensive unit figures to be the strength of the team this season. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1579323' first='Ayden' last='Orr'] anchors the defense as the top returning tackler. The 5'10"/190 LB totaled 80+ tackles and 8 TFLs as a junior. He's an athletic tackler that excels in the run game with his ability to shoot the gaps with his quickness and first step. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1579040' first='Michael' last='Sinclair'] is an underrated defender to keep an eye on- he totaled 56 tackles and 2 TFLs a a season ago and ranks as the #17 LB in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings. Senior DB [player_tooltip player_id='1579324' first='Nathan' last='Priou'] is one of the top skill position players on the team and a defender that brings great instincts and ball skills to the Douglas secondary. Priou had 3 INTs as a junior. The defensive line unit features two standout returners in junior DT [player_tooltip player_id='1660807' first='Oscar' last='Conchas'] and senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='876954' first='Justin' last='Parra-McGee']. Conchas is a massive body along the interior at 6'6"/350 that can clog the interior lanes and disrupt the run game. Parra-McGee picked up a D-III offer from Central Methodist this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->