Looking ahead at the week in high school sports
Here is a look at some of this week’s top high school sports events.
CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday — Las Vegas Invitational at Sunset Park, 7:30 a.m.
The most prestigious local invitational of the season is back for a 48th year. More than 1,000 runners participated last season. The event starts with a 1.25-mile junior high race at 7:30 a.m., followed by a pair of freshman-sophomore races. The first varsity race is scheduled for 9 a.m., and awards will be given in both large school and small school divisions. Centennial’s girls and the boys team from Page (Arizona) won last year’s team titles for large schools.
FOOTBALL
Friday — Miami Central (Florida) at Bishop Gorman, 7 p.m.
The Gaels had their 55-game win streak snapped by Mater Dei (California), but that doesn’t mean the big-time matchups are over. Gorman hosts the Rockets, who are ranked No. 15 in the nation by USA Today. Central is coming off a 19-17 victory over Booker T. Washington (Florida), which was the last team to beat Gorman before Mater Dei.
Friday — Chaparral at Eldorado, 7 p.m.
The annual “Cleat Game” rivalry, with the winner picking up Merlin Olsen’s bronzed cleat trophy. The rivalry dates back to 1973, and Chaparral has dominated the last two meetings, outscoring the Sundevils, 91-8. Eldorado last won in 2014.
Friday — Legacy at Palo Verde, 7 p.m.
The Northwest League opener for both teams. The Longhorns have been dominant to start the season, outscoring their first two opponents 96-21. The Panthers, meanwhile, try to rebound from a 15-14 loss to Foothill, which is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A. Palo Verde also is looking for a measure of revenge after losing to Legacy 45-14 last year.
Friday — Green Valley at Faith Lutheran, 7 p.m.
The Gators needed a touchdown on their final drive to top Centennial and move to 2-0 on the season. The Crusaders, meanwhile, had an unexpected bye week after their game with St. Pius X (Texas) was washed out by Hurricane Harvey.
Saturday — Alta (Utah) vs. Liberty at Sam Boyd Stadium, 3:30 p.m.
Liberty ran into a buzzsaw when it traveled to Florida to face American Heritage, which shut out the Patriots, 31-0. This won’t be a home game, but having the game back in the valley should help Liberty rebound, but it won’t be easy. The Hawks have won two straight after a 72-66 double-overtime loss to Lehi (Utah) in their season opener. Alta has averaged 57 points thus far.
GIRLS GOLF
Wednesday — Northwest League match at Paiute, 12:30 p.m.
Faith Lutheran senior Sydney Smith won a Division I-A (now Class 3A) individual state title in 2015, while Palo Verde senior Annick Haczkiewicz won the Division I (Class 4A) title the same year. The two golfers, and their teams, will face five other teams in this one.
BOYS SOCCER
Thursday — Coronado at Las Vegas, 3 p.m.
The No. 2 Cougars return from a tournament up north travel to play the No. 8 Wildcats, who are off to a hot start this season.
Wednesday — Desert Pines at Western, 3 p.m.
The No. 5 Warriors were last years state runners-up a the Class 3A level, and are off to a blistering start this season. They begin Sunset League league play at home against the Jaguars.
GIRLS SOCCER
Thursday — Palo Verde at Bishop Gorman, 5:30 p.m.
One of the top nonleague games of the season, the No. 3 Gaels host a fellow Southern Nevada powerhouse in the No. 5 Panthers.
Wednesday — Shadow Ridge at Arbor View, 3:30 p.m.
The top-ranked Aggies stumbled out of the gates in Utah, but make their home opener and start their Northwest League slate against the No. 8 Mustangs.
Wednesday — Pahrump Valley at Mojave, 3:30
The Trojans have been a pleasant surprise in the early going of the season, and host the Rattlers in a Sunset League game.
BOYS TENNIS
Wednesday — Coronado at Rancho, 3 p.m.
Rancho is off to a 4-0 start and has already posted three dominant victories. The Rams will match up against Coronado, which is 1-0 after a decisive victory over Basic.
GIRLS TENNIS
Wednesday — Bishop Gorman at Arbor View, 3 p.m.
Bishop Gorman and Arbor View have two of the top football teams in town, but they have two of the best girls tennis teams as well. The Gaels (3-0) will try to remain unbeaten against the Aggies (2-1).
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Wednesday — Foothill at Faith Lutheran, 6 p.m.
Junior outside hitter Whitley Brow has been one of Southern Nevada’s top players thus far and she will lead her Falcons into battle with one of the Sunset Region’s perennial top teams. Sydney Washington will be key for the Crusaders.
Thursday — Shadow Ridge at Silverado, 6 p.m.
Here’s a meeting of two of the state’s top players — Shadow Ridge’s Whittnee Nihipali and Silverado’s Sydney Berenyi. Who will lead their team to victory?