Pahrump Valley Capsule Preview

Coach: Leo Verzilli, first year.

2007 record: 0-8-1.

Returning starters: Six offense, six defense.

Top players: FB/LB Ande Floyd (Sr.); RB Gueran Fenicle (Sr.); C Joey Colucci (Sr.); OT Steven Schmidt (Sr.); QB Nick Murphy (Jr.).

Outlook: The Trojans’ attempt to improve on last year’s record won’t be made any easier by their move from Class 3A to 4A this season. On top of that, the team is learning a new offense, a new defense, and has only 23 varsity players.

Still, there’s plenty of optimism in Pahrump.

“It’s been nothing but positive from our kids,” said Verzilli, who was an assistant coach at Pahrump Valley last season.

The team has good speed, and Verzilli likes his team’s work ethic.

Offensively, the team is switching to a Winged-T formation to try to control the tempo of the game.

“If we can hold the rock, we’ll own the clock,” Verzilli said.