Week 0 Reno Preview: Bishop Manogue vs. McQueen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Previewing some of the players to watch ahead of Friday's Reno opener between Bishop Manogue and McQueen.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Manogue</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Manogue returns a lot of talent on both sides of the ball from their 2024 team that finished the season in the 5A D-II state championship game. Back to lead the offense is Nevada-commit [player_tooltip player_id='281928' first='Brandon' last='Mann'], who passed for 2,400 yards and finished with a 31:6 TD:INT ratio as a junior. Mann- the #15 prospect in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings- is a talented athlete for the QB position that can challenge defenses with both his arm and legs (866 rush yards, 6 TDs last season). Mann returns the offense's leading receiver from 2024 in sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1557706' first='Demari' last='Stacker'], who holds D-I offers from Nevada, Colorado St., and Sacramento St. Stacker is a high-level playmaker possessing an elite WR skillset for his age/development. Leading the OL unit are two Mountain West commits in [player_tooltip player_id='1321320' first='Kole' last='Cronin'] (Boise St.) and [player_tooltip player_id='1600265' first='Max' last='Zuro'] (Nevada). Cronin was one of the biggest risers on the recruiting trail this offseason and comes into the season as one of the best two-way trench guys in the state. Zuro was limited by injury as a junior but offers major upside in his size, strength, and athleticism at 6'6"/290. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1557711' first='Nathan' last='Shannon'] is the team's top returning rusher after recording 600+ yards and 6 TDs as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Miners defense returns last season's leaders in tackles, sacks, and interceptions. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1556291' first='Marley' last='Spuhler'] proved to be one of the most effective run-stoppers in northern Nevada totaling 96 tackles (36 solo) and 20 TFLs last season. He's a physical defender at 6'2"/225 that likes to play downhill and combines great range and instincts as a tackler. Spuhler ranks as the #3 LB in Nevada's 2026 class. Fellow senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1802805' first='Spencer' last='Schmitt'] is another LB returning to the front-seven. Returning senior [player_tooltip player_id='1557724' first='Joey' last='Thomas III'] leads the secondary as one of the most talented cover-corners in the state. Thomas holds offers from Nevada, Cal, and BYU and has continued to generate interest from several West Coast G-5s. He's a fluid athlete with great length and ball skills and is playmaker in all three phases of the game- led the defense with 4 INTs last season. Other DBs to keep an eye on are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1557711' first='Nathan' last='Shannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1802811' first='Amir' last='McGruder']. DE [player_tooltip player_id='1321320' first='Kole' last='Cronin'] recorded a team-leading 9 sacks and 13.5 TFLs last season. He's a violent edge-setter that can collapse the pocket and make stops around the LOS at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McQueen</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Offense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McQueen's offense will be led by a new starting QB in 2025 with the leading candidates being seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1803011' first='Chase' last='Beck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1803013' first='Ryder' last='Tucker'] this offseason. Both have flashed promising traits this offseason and look capable of leading an effective offense. Returning senior playmakers include RB [player_tooltip player_id='1803015' first='Nason' last='Rodriguez'] (75 carries, 347 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1803017' first='Alex' last='Grush'] (22 recs., 335 receiving yards, 2 TDs). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1666167' first='Joseph' last='Zuccarini'] is a rising playmaker and a PRZ NV 2028 top-50 prospect heading into the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1803021' first='Aidan' last='Toloai'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1803023' first='Jai' last='Ramos-Huynh'] are a pair of juniors to watch on the offensive line, along with senior OT [player_tooltip player_id='1803024' first='Luke' last='Richmond'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Defense</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1558882' first='Brooks' last='Porter'] returns to the defense after leading the team in tackles (85 total), sacks (4.5), and TFLs (13). Porter's a physical athlete (6'/200) for his OLB spot that can create pressure off the edge and is a rangy tackler on the perimeter- he's ranked in the 2026 top 100 as the #9 LB prospect. Junior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1681496' first='Keagan' last='Brenner'] is a player that popped up on the PRZ radar this offseason with the strong flashes he showed in his time on varsity last season. He's a high-upside athlete in the secondary that showed his physicality as a tackler on film and flashed some promising coverage skill at McQueen's June camp on Nevada's campus. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1803026' first='Keagan' last='Ayala'] is a player to keep an eye on on both sides of the ball at TE/DE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->