Week 0 Vegas Preview: Basic vs. Canyon Springs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing some of the players to watch in Friday's season opener between Basic and Canyon Springs.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Basic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basic returns it's starting QB from a season ago in [player_tooltip player_id='1259095' first='Jayveon' last='Rose'], who passed for over 1,800 yards and 13 TDs as a junior. Rose is an athletic but undersized QB with a strong, accurate arm at 5'9"/160. He's shown versatility playing other skill positions this offseason and should continue to be an impact player for the offense this season. Returning wideouts [player_tooltip player_id='1599490' first='Louden' last='Cahill'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1337139' first='Christopher' last='McKenzie'] are top pass catchers to keep an eye on along with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1644061' first='Parker' last='Simmons']. Simmons is a high-upside athlete at 6'4"/180 that's looked like potential breakout playmaker this offseason- he and McKenzie were new additions to the PRZ NV 2026 rankings this summer. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1644990' first='Elijah' last='Jones'] is the top returning rusher after totaling 300+ yards and 4 TDs last season. Junior C [player_tooltip player_id='1599492' first='Yukai' last='Jahrling'] and senior OG [player_tooltip player_id='1803081' first='Jarol' last='San Nicolas'] are two players to watch on the front seven. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior DBs [player_tooltip player_id='1644991' first='Terrion' last='Foster'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1579322' first='Madden' last='Spielberg'] are players to watch on defense along with returning LB [player_tooltip player_id='1599491' first='Lynn' last='Saltmarch']. Foster was a new addition to the Nevada 2026 rankings this summer with the strong instincts and rangy athleticism he brings to the secondary. Spielberg totaled 34 tackles as a junior and has shown strong development in his coverage skillset this offseason. Saltmarch was a new addition to the 2026 rankings in January after showing his physicality and disruptiveness in his junior tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canyon Springs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canyon Springs' offense will have a new QB under center in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1660806' first='Aaron' last='Hickman']. Hickman was a new addition to the PRZ NV 2027 rankings this offseason with the raw arm and athleticism he's put on display in recent months. Still developing as a passer but should be able to create with his legs and flashes some natural velocity on his passes. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1660283' first='Bakari' last='Wilson'] returns as the team's leading rusher after posting over 1,200 yards and 14 TDs a season ago. He's an explosive runner with all the speed, burst, and elusiveness to produce another 1,000 yard season this fall. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1803073' first='Javion' last='Gunter'] is another player to keep an eye on out of the backfield for the Pioneers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canyon Springs' defense returns it's top two tacklers from 2024 in LB [player_tooltip player_id='1579696' first='Reginald' last='Crockett Jr.'] and DB [player_tooltip player_id='1216308' first='Seven' last='Thomas']. Crockett was a new addition to the 2026 rankings back in January after recording 70 total tackles as a junior. He's a physical ILB that was an effective run stopper and made some plays in coverage last season. Thomas was added to the 2026 rankings after his breakout sophomore season in 2023 (4 INTs). He's an underrated defensive back that's undersized but packs great speed and twitch in his skillset. Senior EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1644060' first='Kolton' last='Jackson'] comes into the season under-the-radar but offers great potential as a speed rusher with the burst and quickness he brings off the edge. Sophomore DT [player_tooltip player_id='1803074' first='Tasiaeafe' last='Tago'] is another potential breakout defender to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->