Two-way standout fueling Legacy’s hopes entering league play

He didn’t need to with the impact he had on defense.

The two-way standout had two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns to help Legacy, No. 7 in the Review-Journal’s Class 5A rankings, pull away for a 28-13 win at No. 6 Desert Pines.

The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Legacy (2-2), which fell to Highland (Utah) and Arbor View. The Longhorns moved up to 5A Division II after winning the 5A Division III state title last season, and they’ll look for Oliver to help make the difference in a wide-open league.

“Dominic Oliver is the best football player that’s probably come through Legacy High School so far,” Legacy coach Zach Monticelli said. “He’s incredibly underrated. He does have a couple of Division I offers, and whoever he chooses, they’re getting one hell of a player.”

Monticelli said the Longhorns missed Oliver on some open opportunities at wide receiver but noted that his blocking was important for the rushing attack, led by 100 yards and two touchdowns from Zaione Henderson.

“He’s a great teammate,” Monticelli said of Oliver, a three-star athlete, according to 247Sports, who has notable Division I offers from UNLV, UNR and Colorado State.

“He was going to do whatever we asked of him,” Monticelli said. “He blocked his butt off and then decided he was going to score on defense. I can’t say enough good things about the kid.”

Legacy opens league play this Friday by hosting Green Valley at 6 p.m. The Gators rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat rival Basic 25-24 in the “Henderson Bowl” on Friday.

Monticelli said there are as many as six teams that could make their case to win the league title. A win Friday, and stellar play from Oliver, could help the Longhorns be a contender in their new class.

“(Friday) was a big win for us,” Monticelli said. “We played a very tough schedule, so to come out (2-2) and healthy for the most part coming into conference, we think we’re prepared. We know our conference is very tough, so we better bring it next week.”

First wins

Several teams picked up their first wins of the season Friday.

SLAM Academy, last year’s 3A state runner-up, rolled past Spring Valley 49-12. The Bulls (1-3) lost to Foothill and two out-of-state teams. A Sept. 20 date looms against Moapa Valley (4-0) that will likely determine the 3A Southern League champion.

Sloan Canyon claimed its first win under new coach Nate Oishi, 20-8 against Western. Oishi led Lake Mead Academy to the 2A state title last season. Sloan Canyon (1-3) is playing an independent schedule and aiming to jump to 4A for the next realignment cycle.

Sierra Vista (1-2) held on late for a 21-15 win over Desert Oasis in the “Railroad Rivalry.” Cimarron-Memorial (1-2) handed Democracy Prep (3-1) its first loss of the season 16-12, and Chaparral (1-3) claimed an 18-12 win over Mater East (2-2) for first-year coach Tom Hess.

In other sports

Not many teams are off to a better start to the new fall sports season than Coronado’s boys and girls soccer teams. Both teams won the Class 5A state titles last season and are off to perfect starts this season by blowing past their competition.

The Coronado boys (9-0, 4-0 5A Southern League) are outscoring opponents 57-2 and have eight shutouts. The girls (8-0, 4-0 5A Southern League) have allowed four goals while scoring 29.

For the boys, Gavin Flickinger has scored 18 goals and added 13 assists, and Dylan Flores has added 12 goals and 13 assists. Logan Pierce has been solid in goal to help the Cougars shut out opponents.

Allison Kleiner has six goals and six assists to lead the girls. She’s one of 14 Cougars to register a goal.

Both teams will be tested this week. The Coronado boys play at Bishop Gorman (7-1, 3-1) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in a rematch of a 5A Southern League semifinal from last year. The Gaels have arguably the best player in the state with Chase Stewart, who has 11 goals and seven assists.

The Coronado girls get a state title rematch at Faith Lutheran (5-2-1, 1-2-1) at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The teams have met in the last four state title matches in the top classification. The Cougars won last year’s title game 2-1 and claimed the title in 2021, and Faith Lutheran won in 2019 and 2022.

Up next

Bishop Gorman, ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps and USA Today, will look to rebound after its 31-15 loss to No. 1 Mater Dei (California). In their final out-of-state game, the Gaels host Orange Lutheran (California), ranked No. 19 by MaxPreps, at 7 p.m. Friday.

Shadow Ridge hosts Faith Lutheran at 6 p.m. Friday in the teams’ 5A Division II Southern League opener.

Other league openers include Centennial playing at Durango (5A Division III Southern), Losee hosting Cimarron-Memorial (4A Desert) and Virgin Valley at Democracy Prep (3A Southern).

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.