Clark County’s high school football landscape is undergoing a distinctive shift in 2026, as district teams opt for independent schedules that bypass the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association’s state championship framework.
At the pinnacle of the national rankings, Bishop Gorman holds the No. 2 spot, featuring senior defensive back Hayden Stepp, a committed Oregon recruit, alongside a deep pool of top‑tier talent.
Arbor View’s offensive unit is widely considered the most formidable in the state, led by standout wide receivers Damani Warren and Kai Cypher, who have attracted interest from multiple Division I programs.
Liberty’s senior tailback Ezra Sanelivi, a BYU commit, returns after a career that saw him amass 1,640 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, giving the team a powerful ground attack.
Foothill’s junior quarterback Ryder Dobbs threw for 1,846 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, establishing himself as a promising playmaker under center.
Sloan Canyon surged to a 12‑1 record in 2025, outscoring opponents 557‑121 and delivering a decisive three‑touchdown victory over Foothill, signaling a strong start to the new schedule.
Mater East’s senior quarterback James Monaghan IV posted 3,120 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2025, while navigating a demanding slate that includes matchups against Bishop Gorman and Sloan Canyon.
Faith Lutheran, a four‑time state title game qualifier, relies on senior quarterback Dominick Folino and a secondary anchored by Trey Fox and sophomore Ace Brimmer, who together form one of the region’s most feared defensive duos.
Moapa Valley reached the state championship game despite a 3‑0 start, powered by senior running back Briggs Hickman, who rushed for 1,370 yards, and linebacker Stetson Houston, who logged 86 tackles.
Centennial boasts safety Maxwell Miles and receiver Jayden Thomas, both committed to the University of Minnesota, and recently added California quarterback Blake Nadler to further enrich its offensive options.
Schedule Lock‑In and Out‑of‑State Challenges
The new CCSD format locks in schedules for the final two weeks of October, creating opportunities for top teams to meet and potentially reshape playoff picture projections.
Bishop Gorman’s out‑of‑state slate includes contests against St. John Bosco on August 21 and Columbus on August 28, while Arbor View continues its tradition of playing in recent state championship games, focusing on developing inexperienced lines.
Liberty opens the season against Mililani of Hawaii, extending its long‑standing pattern of challenging out‑of‑state opponents, and Coronado returns senior running back Matthias Rantissi along with three‑year starters Ezekiel Rivera and Rocco Casella.
Sloan Canyon’s quarterback Cade Hoshino threw for 3,146 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2025, and Mater East’s schedule also features games against top‑10 preseason rivals Bishop Gorman and Sloan Canyon itself.
Faith Lutheran’s senior Trey Fox and sophomore Ace Brimmer headline a secondary that many analysts predict will be among the area’s best, while Moapa Valley’s senior linebacker Stetson Houston led the team with 86 tackles last year.
Centennial’s newest addition, three‑star quarterback Blake Nadler, arrives from California with the aim of bolstering an offense that already features Minnesota‑bound playmakers.