2016 Lake Mead Football Capsule

LAKE MEAD

League: Class 2A Southern

Head coach: Kerry Johnson, second season

2015 record: 3-6 (2-6 Division III Southern League, sixth)

Returning lettermen: 16

Returning starters: Nine offense, 10 defense

Base offensive set: Dogbone

Base defensive set: Various

Top offensive players: RB Jared Regan (Jr.), QB Marcus Gonzales (Jr.)

Top defensive players: MLB Logan Sullivan (Jr.), FS Noah Tassi (Sr.)

Key losses: DT Jake Bryan

Outlook: Lake Mead, which finished sixth in the Division III Southern League last season, should compete for a playoff spot in the newly-named Class 2A.

The Eagles will rely heavily on Regan, who accumulated 602 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 93 carries last season. The standout running back will lead the offense, while Sullivan (79 tackles, three tackles for loss) anchors the defense.

“With some luck and and no major injuries, Lake Mead could contend for the third or fourth playoff spot,” Johnson said.

Gonzales, who started on defense last season, will be in his first year at quarterback, and Lake Mead also must replace the production of graduated defensive tackle Jake Bryan. But the Eagles also return Tassi, who had five interceptions last year.

“A lot will depend on what kind of year Regan has,” Johnson said. “He carried the ball 93 times last year for a little over 600 yards. He will probably have 200 carries this year.”