FALL SPORTS AWARDS: Moapa Valley RB named area’s top small-school player
When Brad Weiss joined the Moapa Valley football team in 2005, Pirates coach Brent Lewis initially put the unknown freshman at wide receiver.
Three years later, Weiss will graduate as the school’s all-time leading rusher.
Weiss set school records in 2008 for yards rushing in a season (1,815) and career (5,219). Also playing defensive back, he was the centerpiece of a Pirates team that repeated as Class 3A state champion.
He has been named the Review-Journal’s 3A/2A/1A Football Player of the Year.
“I didn’t really know how good I would end up being because my freshman year I was playing wide receiver,” Weiss said.
“But I knew if I worked hard and kept on it, I could do well.”
The 5-foot-10-inch, 196-pound Weiss initially was slotted at receiver because the team had little depth there in 2005, Lewis said.
“It was a big adjustment for him because he hadn’t learned how to take a lot of contact and avoid it and become a power runner,” Lewis said of Weiss’ switch to running back.
By his sophomore year, Weiss was entrenched in the backfield, and the Pirates went from 3-7 in 2005 to state runner-up in 2006.
Weiss dominated his final two seasons, rushing for 3,015 yards and 41 touchdowns. He finished with 50 career rushing TDs.
“I haven’t had much time to sit and think about it,” said Weiss, who was a starting guard in basketball and is an outfielder in baseball.
“Playing three sports, once you finish with one, you start up with another.”
Following are the rest of the Review-Journal’s fall sports Players of the Year:
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
4A — Nathan Williams, Centennial. A junior, Williams was the top Southern Nevada finisher in the 4A race, placing third in 16 minutes, 37 seconds to lead the Bulldogs to the team title.
3A/2A/1A — Matt Lundgren, Boulder City. Lundgren, a junior, won the 3A boys state title, taking the 3.1-mile race in 17 minutes, 15 seconds.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
4A — Leah Leedy, Foothill. Leedy, a senior, was the top Southern Nevada finisher in the 4A state meet, placing second in 19 minutes, 35 seconds.
3A/2A/1A — Keely Bakken, Faith Lutheran. The senior won the 3A girls championship, covering the 3.1-mile course in 20 minutes, 57 seconds.
FOOTBALL
4A — Torin Harris, Palo Verde. A senior defensive back/running back/quarterback, Harris made five interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. The Southern California recruit also rushed for 660 yards and 11 TDs, caught nine passes for 183 yards and four TDs and completed 15 of 16 passes for 100 yards and two TDs.
3A/2A/1A — Weiss, Moapa Valley. The senior running back was named the 3A state Most Valuable Player by coaches.
GIRLS GOLF
4A — Nichole-Corpus Massucci, Bishop Gorman. Corpus-Massucci, a junior, placed second at the 4A state tournament, losing on a one-hole playoff.
3A/2A — Ashley Lacher, Faith Lutheran. Lacher, a sophomore, shot a two-round 165 to finish 14 strokes ahead of the field for the 3A state title.
BOYS SOCCER
4A — Kevin Rogge, Centennial. The senior forward had 34 goals and 15 assists and was named the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year.
3A — Ryan Sniezyk, Faith Lutheran. The senior forward/midfielder set state runner-up Faith Lutheran’s career goals record with 101.
GIRLS SOCCER
3A — Jacque Olive, Virgin Valley. Olive, a senior goalkeeper, posted six shutouts.
BOYS TENNIS
4A — Brandon Parker, Palo Verde. Parker, a senior, captured the state singles title.
GIRLS TENNIS
4A — Rebecca Breland, Canyon Springs. Breland, a sophomore, won the state singles championship.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
4A — Hayley Spelman, Durango. A senior opposite hitter who has signed with Stanford, Spelman was the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year.
3A/2A/1A — Ashley Newton, Lake Mead. The sophomore outside hitter led the Eagles to the 1A state championship.
