Nevada Preps preseason football rankings: Which are the top 10 teams?

Nevada Preps: Southern Nevada top 10 High school football in Southern Nevada will look different in 2026. Thirty Clark County School District programs competing in the 5A and 4A classifications will not vie for a state championship in March. Meanwhile, the seven remaining private and charter schools in the 5A and 4A divisions will each face one another to fill the gaps left by the CCSD teams, and every squad will qualify for the playoffs. The new NIAA playoff format and CCSD grouping placements and schedule might cause some confusion, but they have not altered which high school football programs in Southern Nevada should be considered the elite once the season begins. Here is the Review‑Journal’s preseason top 10 high school rankings: **1. Bishop Gorman** Season outlook: Regardless of opponent, Bishop Gorman remains the overwhelming favorite to capture a sixth straight state title. The Gaels’ larger ambition is to win a fifth mythical national championship. Their nonleague slate features a showdown with St. John Bosco on Aug. 21 at Gorman’s Fertitta Field. The Gaels then travel to Columbus (Florida) on Aug. 29, Lone Peak (Utah) on Sept. 4, and Mater Dei (California) on Sept. 18. At the close of Gorman’s schedule, the team is expected to enter a four‑team Overtime Nationals tournament with squads from around the country that will crown a national champion. Gorman is ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 3 by USA Today. **2. Liberty** Season outlook: Liberty dropped a heartbreaker to Arbor View in the Open Division state semifinals last year. This season the Patriots are projected to be the top‑section national school and the favorite in the playoff‑like format for the leading group of CCSD independent teams. Liberty will meet Foothill, Coronado, Desert Oasis, and Las Vegas High in its pool and could clash with Arbor View and/or Centennial for the Superintendents Cup. Despite its independent status, Liberty will still play premier out‑of‑state opponents, including a road game at Mililani (Hawaii) on Aug. 14 and a home contest with Skyridge (Utah) on Sept. 14. The Patriots return eight starters on defense and field one of the nation’s top QB‑RB tandems, quarterback Selby Griego and BYU‑commit Ezra Sanelivi at running back. **3. Arbor View** Season outlook: Over the past two seasons Arbor View has been the leading national school in Southern Nevada, with the Aggies reaching the state championship game in the top classification in both 2024 and 2025. Arbor View lost to Gorman both times, falling 44‑7 to the Gaels in the Open Division state title game last year. This year Arbor View will square off against high‑caliber out‑of‑state foes such as Hamilton (Arizona), West (Utah), Lincoln (California), and Carlsbad (California). The Aggies share a pool with Centennial, Shadow Ridge, Mojave, and Desert Pines. Although Arbor View defeated northwest rival Centennial 45‑6, it is anticipated that Centennial and Arbor View will battle for the top spot in the pool and could challenge Liberty for the Superintendents Cup among the leading group of teams. The Aggies’ offense ranks among the best in the state, featuring Oregon State commit Thaddeus Thatcher at quarterback, wide receivers Damani Warren (Texas A&M commit) and Kai Cypher (UNLV), and tight end Zac Fares (UCLA). **4. Centennial** Season outlook: Centennial fell just short of a third consecutive state title appearance after surrendering a 28‑point lead to Faith Lutheran in the 5A Southern Region championship game. However, with numerous returners from its 2025 roster, Centennial is expected to rank among the premier CCSD programs this season. One of the season’s marquee matchups will be a road game at Arbor View on Sept. 10 that could decide first place in their respective CCSD group. Centennial opens the season against Coronado and out‑of‑state contests with Cathedral (California), Burbank (California), and Perry (Arizona). The Bulldogs boast several Division I prospects, including three‑star Minnesota commits Jayden Thomas and Maxwell Miles, and offensive lineman Laseth Bryant, a UNLV commit and notable multi‑year varsity starter. **5. Sloan Canyon** Season outlook: Sloan Canyon demonstrated in its third year of football that it can compete with the area’s top teams. The Pirates’ sole loss last season came to McQueen in the 4A state championship game. Sloan Canyon returns 39 players from last year’s squad that outscored opponents 557‑21 and has added several high‑profile transfers that should sustain its dominance. The Pirates will get a rematch with McQueen on Aug. 29 at UNR and open the season against Central East (California), ranked No. 89 nationally by MaxPreps on Aug. 14. As a charter school, Sloan Canyon will also face 5A opponents during the regular season—Bishop Gorman on Oct. 9 and Faith Lutheran on Oct. 23. With four teams in 4A—Sloan Canyon, Mater East, SLAM! Nevada, and Cadence—each will advance to the 4A Southern Region playoffs. **6. Foothill** Season outlook: Foothill was entangled in the tumult surrounding the NIAA’s HRM strategy last year, which produced multiple changes to the Open Division and 5A Southern Region playoff brackets. This season the Falcons, recognized for their dynamic passing attack, should be among the top CCSD independent schools, with most of their offensive skill players returning. Foothill, known for its dynamic passing offense, is projected to produce a high point total again with returning quarterback Ryder Dobbs, who threw 24 touchdowns and averaged 18.5 yards per completion. **7. Faith Lutheran** Season outlook: Faith Lutheran found its rhythm late in 2025 and made an impressive run to the 5A state championship game for the program’s third consecutive appearance in the title contest. Under first‑year head coach Jay Staggs in 2025, the Crusaders established a solid foundation that positions them as one of the top teams for 2026. With only three teams in the 5A Southern Region, the first‑ and second‑place teams will meet in a state semifinal. The winner advances to face the third‑place team in the Open Division state championship game, while the loser drops to the 5A state championship game to play the northern champion. Consequently, Faith Lutheran is poised to reach a state championship game for a fourth straight year and could contend for the 5A title. **8. Mater East** Season outlook: Another charter school football program on the rise is led by a group of former UNLV players. Mater East fields one of the more talented rosters in the country, featuring multiple Division I prospects, including former UNLV standout and Desert Pines graduate Tim Hough, who enters his first full season as head coach. The Knights return 20 players from last year’s squad that fell to eventual 4A Southern Region champion Sloan Canyon in the region semifinals. Mater East will face a early test against Faith Lutheran on Aug. 14 and will also encounter out‑of‑state opponents from California schools Victor Valley, University City, and Grant, as well as Layton Christian (Utah). **9. Desert Oasis** Season outlook: Desert Oasis resides in what could be the most demanding CCSD pool, alongside Liberty, Foothill, Coronado, and Las Vegas High, but the Diamondbacks bring back starters at offensive skill positions and on defense, making them one of the more complete teams and a genuine challenger in the group. The Diamondbacks will welcome a new starting back in Preston Helsham; the senior has served as the team’s quarterback‑in‑waiting the past two seasons and is expected to uphold the offensive production. **10. Moapa Valley** Season outlook: Moapa Valley is the standard‑bearer in 3A, and the Pirates can compete with teams in higher classifications across the area. Moapa Valley fell short in last year’s 3A championship game. The Pirates are set to make another deep run, bolstered by numerous returning players. The 3A classification was untouched by the CCSD independence movement, but it will consist of four teams—Moapa Valley, Virgin Valley, Boulder City, and Pahrump Valley. Moapa Valley is projected to vie with rival Virgin Valley for the top spot, with the regular‑season champion hosting a 3A state semifinal against a northern opponent.