Southern Nevada Week 1 Preview: Mojave vs. Foothill

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing the players to know ahead of Friday's matchup between Mojave and Foothill. Foothill (0-1) lost their season opener to a strong Millikan team out of Long Beach, CA last week and Mojave will be seeing their first game action of the season. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mojave</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mojave's offense returns it's starting QB from last season in senior ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1715338' first='Mark' last='Ames']. Ames is a physical two-way player (QB/LB) at 6'/230 that's shown strong development as a passer this offseason and can operate the offense efficiently. His top target from 2024 returns with junior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1603055' first='S'marion' last='Coleman'], who record 550+ receiving yards and 6 TDs on just 18 catches last season. He's an explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands that can take screens and short yardage throws to the house. Coleman ranks as the #4 WR in PRZ NV's 2027 rankings. Two newcomers to watch in the WR group are sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1617116' first='Demier' last='Zamora'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1674877' first='Trayvon' last='Mays']. Mays was a new addition to the offseason rankings after showing elite potential in recent months- he just picked up his first offer from Coastal Carolina in July. Zamora showed great upside in his offseason work and should quickly establish himself as one of the top playmakers in the 2028 class this season. He just picked up his first offer from UNLV in June. Anchoring the offensive line is standout senior [player_tooltip player_id='1081844' first='Justin' last='Blakeley'], who was a big-time riser in the latest update to our 2026 rankings. Blakeley- who just picked up his first D-I offer from Hawaii this offseason- is a violent blocker that eliminates defenders in the run game and moves extremely well with his 6'5"/290 frame. Blakely ranks as a top-25 prospect and the #3 OL in his class. Another lineman to keep an eye on for Mojave is returning junior C [player_tooltip player_id='1596113' first='Alijah' last='Tuitele']. Tuitele is a top-50 overall prospect in the PRZ rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mojave's defense will look to replace the massive production and physicality of LB AJ Tuitele- now at USC. Among the players to watch on the front-seven is senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1715331' first='Jray-Joseph' last='Vele']. Vele is a versatile defender that can rush off the edge or play off the ball in run support. He was an offseason new addition to the 2026 rankings after racking up 67 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 5 TFLs as a junior. A defensive lineman to watch is junior DT [player_tooltip player_id='1598478' first='Juan' last='Palmes'], who totaled 63 tackles and 19 TFLs last season. He's an interior disruptor that can plug gaps in the run game and create negative plays in the backfield. Palmes ranks as the #3 DL in his class. The Rattlers secondary features underrated DB talent in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1598535' first='Elijah' last='Richard'] and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1617114' first='Demico' last='Zamora'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Foothill</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foothill's offense played two QBs in their season opening loss to Millikan (CA) last Friday. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1751767' first='Ayden' last='Waier'] had a strong offseason and figures to be the starter moving forward, though sophomore <strong>Ryder Dobbs </strong>showed some promising flashes on Friday and will be a player to keep an eye on. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1825948' first='Anthony' last='Taylor'] was a standout performer for the Falcons in game one- he accounted for both of the team's TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving) and recorded 126 rushing yards. He's looking like a potential breakout playmaker this season. The receiving corps is a strength of the offense with returning senior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='1110893' first='Braxton' last='Bonnett'] leading the way. Bonnett accounted for 900 receiving yards and 6 TDs last season and is one of the more explosive vertical weapons in Vegas' 2026 class. He holds offers from Minnesota Duluth, Western Colorado, and Bethel. Junior wideouts to keep an eye on are [player_tooltip player_id='1596115' first='Bryce' last='Rodriguez'] and<strong> Tyce Mauro</strong>, who had 2 catches for 60 yards last week. [player_tooltip player_id='1599449' first='Phoenix' last='Pollard'] anchors the offensive line unit as one of the top talents at his position at the state. Pollard- the #8 prospect in his class- is a massive OT at 6'6"/350 possessing an elite combination of size, power, and athleticism. He holds offers from Cal, UNLV, and Sacramento St. Other linemen to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='1599391' first='Charlie' last='Tannenbaum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1599441' first='Tim' last='Malachowski'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foothill's defense was led by senior LB <strong>Taevin Phillips</strong> in last week's loss. The 6'2"/200 OLB racked up 16 total tackles and 3 TFLs on Friday. Senior DE <strong>Dallin Bair </strong>is another front-seven defender to keep an eye on for the Falcons. He has great size and length at 6'5"/240 and has continued to improve throughout the offseason. Senior LB <strong>Baylor </strong>Petashiski had a strong first game on Friday posting 2 sacks and 3 TFLs. Senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1644983' first='Brody' last='Dobbs'] is the top returner to the secondary- he posted 25 tackles last season and had an interception in game one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->