2016-17 Flag Football Team Capsules

Head coach: Clint Johnston, first season

2015-16 record: 13-9 (4-4 Northwest, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (two)

Outlook: Johnston inherits a team that returns only two starters.

The Aggies hope to improve as the season progresses.

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BASIC

Head coach: Dave Durham, second season

2015-16 record: 5-13 (3-7 Southeast, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)

Top players: WR/DB Britney Green (Sr.)

Outlook: Green caught 25 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns last year and is one of just five returning letter winners for the Wolves.

“We are young and inexperienced this year,” Durham said. “We will work on teamwork and utilize our skill.”

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BONANZA

Head coach: Bruce Eubank, fifth season

2015-16 record: 4-15 (0-8 Northwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (10)

Top players: QB Bree Hernandez-Silva (Sr.), WR Brittany Calhoun (Sr.), RB/WR Alicia Kestner (So.), RB/WR Shayne Dunn (So.), RB/WR Desiree Cruz (Jr.), DB Josie Akins (Sr.), DB Joplyn Merrell (So.), S Sierra Hoban (Sr.), LB A.J. Manansala (Sr.)

Outlook: The Bengals struggled to find success last year, but with 10 starters back, prospects are encouraging.

Hernandez-Silva (1,785 rushing yards, 1,338 passing yards) is expected to lead an offense that also returns Kestner (793 all-purpose yards), Cruz (702 all-purpose yards), Dunn (544 all-purpose yards) and Calhoun (304 receiving yards).

Akins (47 tackles), Manansala (44 tackles), Merrell (41 tackles) and Hoban (32 tackles) should be among the leaders on defense.

“I expect the girls to do well,” Eubank said. “I want them to play to their potential. They are working hard and are looking forward to competing.”

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CENTENNIAL

Head coach: John Roberts, fifth season

2015-16 record: 23-3 (6-2 Northwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)

Top players: TE/LB Chantay Dixon (Sr.), QB Halli Erickson (Sr.), TE/LB Kayla Kipp-Nobles (Sr.), RB/LB Lenae Thompson (Sr.), WR/DB Aliyah Wyrick (Sr.)

Outlook: Five starters and plenty of talent return for the Bulldogs, who won the Division I title last year.

Erickson (2,654 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes), Wyrick (2,895 total yards, 46 TDs) and Thompson (1,000 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 5 interceptions) return to lead the offense.

Kipp-Nobles (123 tackles, 6 sacks, 5 interceptions) and Dixon (119 tackles, 8 sacks) are back to guide the defense.

“The Bulldogs are returning multiple second- and third-year starters following our 2015-16 championship run,” Roberts said. “Our expectations are high as we look forward to defending our title. Our focus is on improving our skill set and mentality every game.”

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CHEYENNE

Head coach: Anthony Johnson, fourth season

2015-16 record: 13-8 (10-0 Sunset, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Ten (seven)

Top players: RB/CR Angela Hammond (Sr.), LB/S/RB/QB E’moni Albert (Sr.), LB/RB Dorothy Chapman (Sr.), DL Kiantera Neal (Jr.)

Outlook: The Desert Shields bring back 10 letter winners after advancing to the Division I-A Clark County School District title game last year.

Hammond (1,990 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns) should be among the leaders on offense. Albert (11 interceptions, 88 tackles), Neal (90 tackles, 7 sacks) and Chapman (65 tackles) return on defense.

“My girls are excited to get back on the field,” Johnson said. “They are motivated and hungry. Falling short in the state game to Boulder City by one point still burns. We have some unfinished business.”

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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Head coach: Mark Bailey, fourth season

2015-16 record: 5-14 (3-5 Northwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (six)

Top players: TE Logan DeLong (Sr.), TE Alyssa Karpinski (Sr.), QB Tiarra Del Rosario (So.), LB Diona Whitley

Outlook: The Spartans bring back six starters as they hope to improve this season.

Karpinski (100 receptions, 1,275 yards, 18 touchdowns), DeLong (89 receptions, 1,197 yards, 12 TDs) and Del Rosario (2,063 passing yards, 26 TDs) return to guide the offense. Whitley (55 tackles) is back to guide an almost-entirely new defense.

“The Spartans’ defense will be completely revamped with only two returning starters,” Bailey said. “We’re excited about the roster we have and hope to improve defensively from last year.

“Offensively, we’re returning two of the city’s top receivers in Karpinski and DeLong. Quarterback Tiarra Del Rosario is a year older and more seasoned and ready to lead the offense. We expect the passing attack to be formidable once again. We’re very excited about the addition of Haylei Hughes on both offense and defense and look forward to seeing her contributions.”

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CLARK

Head coach: Matthew Moyle, third season

2015-16 record: 3-15 (2-8 Sunset, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top players: C Angel Gomez (Sr.), WR Lauren Marcus (Sr.), LB Moriah Payton (Sr.), S Kelli A’Hearn (So.)

Outlook: With only four letter winners back, the Chargers will need some inexperienced players to learn on the job quickly.

“Losing 10 starters and only returning four players from last year’s team will be a challenge,” Moyle said. “But the girls have worked hard and are excited to be playing.”

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CORONADO

Head coach: Rusty Andersen, second season

2015-16 record: 15-6 (7-3 Southeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)

Top players: RB/LB Trinity Rhoades (Sr.), DB Brittany Whitt (Sr.), LB/WR Jensen Boman (Jr.), WR/DB Reagan Raimer (So.), QB Caitlin Shannon (So.)

Outlook: Five starters return for the Cougars, who advanced to the Sunrise Region final last season.

“The Cougars are hoping to use a blend of new and veteran players to build upon recent success,” Andersen said. “Several young players will need to step up to fill the spots of the nine starting positions left vacant by departing players.

“The Cougars hope that the freshmen (18-0 last year) and junior varsity’s (12-6) success will transfer to varsity success. The coaching staff hopes that a tough non-conference schedule will help prepare the team for a very competitive Southeast League.”

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DEL SOL

Head coach: Lucas Campbell, third season

2015-16 record: 15-6 (11-3 Sunrise, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Three (three)

Top players: QB/LB Xolani Frazier (Sr.), RB/LB Sierra Brooks (So.), RB/DB Teke Poullard (Jr.), CB/WR Saleena Quichocho (Jr.)

Outlook: After a second-place finish in the Sunrise League last year, the Dragons return only three starters but hope to continue to be successful.

“We are now much younger after losing 10 seniors to graduation,” Campbell said. “A host of juniors, sophomores and a few first-year players will be asked to rise to the occasion. The coaches are confident in our young cast of athletes’ ability to learn quickly and play to a high standard.

“We hope to be competitive in our league and make the playoffs for a third consecutive year.”

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DESERT OASIS

Head coach: Michael Ovens, second season

2015-16 record: 13-7 (7-1 Northwest, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)

Top players: RB Izriah Hodson (Jr.), WR Lilyana Ghanem (So.), DL Alex Mora (Sr.), S Dominique Korschinowski (Sr.), DL Alyssa Chautla (Sr.), WR/QB Aniyah Reed (Jr.)

Outlook: Graduation wasn’t kind to the Diamondbacks, though they still return seven letter winners.

“We lost a lot of seniors after winning last year’s Northwest League,” Ovens said. “We will still have some good senior leadership for this season, but will rely on a good young group coming up from a 13-3 junior varsity season.

“We hope to compete and play well in a new league this year.”

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DURANGO

Head coach: Richard Cuellar, fifth season

2015-16 record: 1-18 (0-6 Southwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (nine)

Top players: LB Jamilah Rich-Manard (Sr.), S Claudia Luna (Sr.), WR Zarina Felix (Sr.), RB Adreanna Breland (Jr.)

Outlook: The Trailblazers struggled last season, but return nine starters and are hoping to show big improvement this year.

“We’re hoping that the new incoming talent accents the returning players, and we get more wins this year,” Cuellar said. “We’re hoping to make it to playoffs this year.”

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FOOTHILL

Head coach: Cynthia Guzman, fifth season

2015-16 record: 24-2 (10-0 Southeast, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top players: WR Sydney Babakitis (Jr.), RB Paityn Toohey (Sr.), CB Mariah Coleman (Sr.), CB Mily Rodriguez (Sr.)

Outlook: The Falcons had a magnificent season last year and came within a touchdown of being Division I Clark County School District champions, falling to Centennial 25-20 in the title game.

Graduation took its toll on the roster, though.

Babakitis (95 receptions, 1,477 yards, 28 TDs) and Toohey (733 rushing yards, 67 receptions, 590 receiving yards) return to guide the offense. Coleman (170 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Rodriguez (84 tackles) are back to lead the defense.

“After losing a lot of seniors, we are excited to have developed strong and talent athletes the last three years who will be joining our varsity roster,” Guzman said. “Foothill takes pride in its ability to execute plays and to defensively read plays before the snap.

“Returning with an undefeated league title, region title and state (runner-up) only motivates the Falcons to work harder and more diligently to bring home a state title one snap at a time.”

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GREEN VALLEY

Head coach: David Torrez, third season

2015-16 record: 15-7 (6-4 Southeast, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Ten (four)

Top players: QB Bella Cipili (Sr.), C Daisy Ochoa (Sr.), WR Alyson Thorne (Sr.), S Bryanna Johnson (Sr.)

Outlook: The Gators return only four starters after graduating a large senior class.

Cipili returns after throwing for 2,985 yards and 45 touchdowns last season.

“We lost a lot of experience with last year’s seniors graduating,” Torrez said. “We’re going to rely on a lot of young players who are hungry to show what they’re made of. The team goal is to take it one game at a time and build valuable experience.

“The new girls are catching on pretty quick, but it will be a battle to secure a playoff spot in our tough league.”

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LAS VEGAS

Head coach: Erick Capetillo, fifth season

2015-16 record: 19-3 (8-0 Northeast, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (seven)

Top players: QB Sabrina Saldate (Sr.), WR Natalie Gennuso (Jr.), LB Stacy Renteria (Sr.), CB Teleda Williams (Jr.)

Outlook: The Wildcats return eight letter winners from a team that won the Northeast League and advanced to the Sunrise Region semifinals.

Saldate (2,767 passing yards, 48 TD passes) and Gennuso (78 receptions, 1,299 yards, 20 TDs) return to guide the offense. Renteria (73 tackles) and Williams (32 tackles, 15 interceptions) should be among the leaders on defense.

“Coming off the best year in program history, Las Vegas will try to continue to make its mark by playing a tough non-league schedule,” said Capetillo, whose team will face both Clark County School District champions (Centennial and Boulder City) and Sunrise runner-up Coronado.

Along with Saldate and Gennuso, Capetillo is looking for big contributions from wide receiver Anna Dobbins and running backs Kiura Shipman and Alba Trujillo on offense.

Megan Adamson and Leticia Wilber join Renteria and Williams on defense and “look to add depth to a loaded group of linebackers,” Capetillo said.

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LIBERTY

Head coach: Richard Ebarb, first season

2015-16 record: 5-14 (3-5 Northeast, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Three (three)

Top players: WR/DB Rianna Baliza (Sr.), RB/WR/DB Elizabeth Branigan (Sr.), QB/DB Adalina Wright (Jr.)

Outlook: Ebarb takes over a team that returns only three starters, but has reason for optimism.

“There are some promising juniors and sophomores to help our team have a successful season,” Ebarb said. “Our first goal, as with most teams, is to win our league, win the region and win the state tournament.”

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MOAPA VALLEY

Head coach: Dave Belcher, first season

2015-16 record: 9-11 (5-9 Sunrise, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)

Top players: WR Dani Chandler (Sr.), LB/WR Felicia Perez (Sr.), WR Alexis Schraft (Jr.)

Outlook: The Pirates return five starters from a team that finished in a four-way tie for fourth place in the Sunrise League last year, missing out on the playoffs because of a tiebreaker.

“The Pirates are working hard to make the playoffs and a run at the title,” Belcher said. “The girls are excited and motivated to have a successful season.”

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MOJAVE

Head coach: Andrew Kofod, fifth season

2015-16 record: 9-13 (6-4 Sunset, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)

Top players: RB/LB Anahi Rosales (Jr.), QB Maria Luisa Valencia (Jr.), QB Jaszmine Oseguera (Jr.)

Outlook: The Rattlers return only four starters from last year’s squad and will have to stay healthy as they’re starting the season with only 13 players on the varsity roster.

Valencia and Oseguera each threw seven touchdown passes last year and return to guide the offense. Rosales (82 tackles) is back to lead the defense.

“The Lady Rattlers will look to make another playoff run,” Kofod said.

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PALO VERDE

Head coach: Rick Eurich, third season

2015-16 record: 14-7 (3-3 Southwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (five)

Outlook: Five starters return for the Panthers, who advanced to the Sunset Region final last year.

“We lost some key players from last year’s unit,” Eurich said. “However, we have some young talent who have been waiting for their opportunity to make a difference at the varsity level.”

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RANCHO

Head coach: Octavion Brown, second season

2015-16 record: 2-16 (0-10 Southeast, sixth)

Returning starters: Seven

Top players: QB/S Kat Anthony (Sr.), LB Mitzy Sandoval (Sr.), RB/WR Christina Parada (Sr.), RB/LB Zuma Flores (Jr.), OT Haley Nevil (Jr.)

Outlook: The Rams return seven starters to a team that should be more experienced and more competitive this year.

“We are hoping to make a run at playoffs this year,” Brown said. “We work day by day, getting better, faster and stronger. We are going to win more games this year.

“The girls are really excited about showing the city what we have improved on this year.”

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SHADOW RIDGE

Head coach: Matt Nighswonger, second season

2015-16 record: 12-10 (3-3 Southwest, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (four)

Top players: WR Sam Milanovich (Sr.), RB Jordan Ford (Jr.), LB Sonia Triana (Jr.), QB Nicole Herring-Tripp (Jr.)

Outlook: Milanovich (1,428 receiving yards, 23 touchdowns), Ford (1,400 rushing yards) and Triana (96 tackles, 4 interceptions) are among six returnees for the Mustangs.

“We hope to improve on our performance from last year,” Nighswonger said. “We are trying to build our program into a consistent winning squad.”

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SIERRA VISTA

Head coach: Levi Gill, second season

2015-16 record: 12-8 (8-2 Sunset, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)

Top players: RB Courtney O’Neal (Jr.), QB Kalei Watkins (Sr.), WR Jamie Kalaau-Sunia (So.)

Outlook: The Mountain Lions return five starters from a team that finished second in the Sunset League.

Watkins (1,700 passing yards, 21 TD passes), O’Neal (1,200 rushing yards, 14 TDs) and Kalaau-Sunia (700 receiving yards, 12 TDs; 9 interceptions) are expected to be among the leaders.

“We hope to be competitive in our league,” Gill said.

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SILVERADO

Head coach: Elvin Bower, first season

2015-16 record: 4-14 (1-7 Northeast, fifth)

Outlook: Bower takes over a program that is hoping to build this season.

“Silverado is looking forward to an exciting season with a new head coach,” Bower said. “The focus is taking one game at a time with hopes of contending in the playoffs.”

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SPRING VALLEY

Head coach: Marcus Teal, fifth season

2015-16 record: 5-14 (4-6 Sunset, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Two (one)

Top players: WR/DB Sala Mamaia (Sr.), QB/DB Vivian Quiroz-Montano (Sr.), WR/DB Teegan Teal (So.), RB/DB Elizabeth Toribio (Sr.), C/LB Rosa Duarte (Sr.), C/LB Jennifer Cardona, RB/LB Savannah Villanueva (Sr.)

Outlook: The Grizzlies have new faces and lots of them as 12 of last year’s starters graduated and only two letter winners return.

The team was dealt a further blow with an injury to standout running back Jozee DeCunzo.

Mamaia is the lone returning starter for Spring Valley.

“I like the idea of fresh faces on our team,” Marcus Teal said. “With a little hard work on fundamentals, great effort and positive attitudes, I think we can be a good team.

“We will miss having Jozee on the field, but with some young talent and senior leadership, I think our team will see some success this season.”

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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN

Head coach: Chauncy Garbutt, second season

2015-16 record: 3-17 (1-13 Sunrise, eighth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (seven)

Top players: QB/DB Kaelani Borja (Jr.), RB/LB Paola Juarez (Sr.), WR/DB Jasmine Glover (Sr.), WR/LB Jamile Cano (Jr.), J’Amyzja Moorer (Sr.), WR/DB Mahogany Slay (Sr.), WR/LB Cloe Bunch (Jr.)

Outlook: With seven letter winners returning, the Miners should be more competitive this year as they continue to build.

“We expect to make playoffs for the first time in school history,” Garbutt said.

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TECH

Head coach: Joseph Vespo, second season

2015-16 record: 7-11 (5-9 Sunrise, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top players: QB/LB Katy Orellana (Sr.), WR/LB Avery Rayos (Sr.), RB/S Haley Makue-Vasconcellos (Sr.)

Outlook: Five letter winners return for the Roadrunners, who were part of a four-way tie for fourth place in the Sunrise League last year after winning five of their final seven games, but missed out on the playoffs because of a tiebreaker.

“After barely missing out on the playoffs, Tech comes into the season ready to compete for a league and state title,” Vespo said. “Once again, we will lean on our defense to make stops. I have no doubt we can compete with anyone in the league.

“I scheduled eight games in three weeks, five of which are against (Class) 4A competition to get us ready for conference play when we return from Christmas break.”

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VALLEY

Head coach: Jim Erikson, second season

2015-16 record: 13-7 (6-2 Northeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): One (one)

Outlook: Junior wide receiver Summer Gibson is the lone returning starter from last year’s senior-laden squad.

“Valley graduated all of its starting players from last year except for Summer, who will anchor a young, but talented team,” Erikson said. “Valley hopes to return to the playoffs this year.”

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WESTERN

Head coach: Henry Jackson, first season

2015-16 record: 0-18 (0-10 Sunset, sixth)

Returning starters: One

Top players: RB Fabray Elam (Sr.), LB Samaiya Hall (So.), RB Sierra Biddle (So.), WR Ruby Sheppard (Fr.), CB Brenda Hernandez (Sr.)

Outlook: Jackson takes over a team that returns just one starter after struggling last season.

“Although we have a very young team, our expectations are high,” Jackson said. “We are going to build on the excitement and enthusiasm of our first-year players and their eagerness to learn the new system.

“Our goal is to make a run at a conference title and secure a spot in the playoffs. We look to be the dark horse in the conference and surprise a lot of teams who may be underestimating us.”