RECRUITING: Green Valley’s Perkins to kick for Rebels

Conor Perkins had quite a weekend.

The senior place-kicker for the Green Valley football team booted the game-winning extra point in overtime Friday to lift the Gators to a 42-41 victory over Palo Verde. A day later, Perkins made an oral commitment to UNLV before the Rebels' win over Western Illinois.

Perkins' commitment is nonbinding, and the first day he can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 5. UNLV’s coaches cannot comment until that time.

Perkins said he chose the Rebels over interest from Utah and Weber State.

"It's been exciting," Perkins said of the past two days. "I've been leaning (toward) committing somewhere, and UNLV is a good chance for me."

Perkins, a three-year varsity player, will be the second kicker from Green Valley to sign with UNLV in the past four years. Rebels senior Nolan Kohorst is a 2010 graduate of the school.

Perkins is coached by former UNLV kicker Daren Libonati, who also worked with Kohorst when he was at Green Valley.

"I know Nolan, and I've seen the way (UNLV does) special teams," Perkins said. "I like the way they do their stuff over there. Nolan has done pretty good at UNLV, and I thought I could do that, too."

Perkins is 2-for-3 on field goals as a senior, with his lone miss coming on a 61-yard try at the end of the first half Friday. He has made 18 of 19 extra-point attempts.

As a junior, Perkins made 10 field goals, including a 37-yarder with no time remaining to give the Gators a 33-32 come-from-behind win over Canyon Springs.

"He's been really consistent for us," Green Valley coach Brian Castro said. "Any time a good local kid gets the opportunity to play for the Rebels, I'm excited about it. Conor is a good fit for them. I couldn't be more proud of him."