Nevada Preps top five high school football picks

**Friday Night High School Football Preview** St. John Bosco (California) travels to Bishop Gorman for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Braves hold the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps rankings, while the Gaels sit at No. 2. The winner will cement its standing and all but extinguish the opponent’s chances at a mythical national title. Gorman has prevailed in two of the teams’ previous meetings (2014, 2016) and enjoys home‑field advantage at Fertitta Field, though the venue’s influence is minimal. The outcome may hinge on Bosco’s backup running back Koa Malau’ulu and his aggressive play‑making against Gorman cornerback Hayden Stepp and a defense that has proven difficult to move. The Gaels opened their season with a 41‑0 victory over Losee, but inclement weather halted the contest at halftime, leaving questions about their true form. If Bosco fails to perform at full strength in its debut, Gorman could seize a commanding win. At 6 p.m., Basic meets Foothill in the “Battle for Boulder Highway.” The Falcons, ranked sixth, enter as favorites, yet rivalry games often produce surprises. Foothill, which had its prior contest postponed by rain, returns a core of experienced players. Junior quarterback Ryder Dobbs, who accumulated 1,846 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, will direct the offense; a standout performance from him could secure a Falcons victory. Dobbs previously threw for 425 yards and eight scores in Foothill’s 68‑27 triumph over Basic last year. The Wolves will rely on senior quarterback Andrew Rodriguez and a sturdy defensive unit. Basic’s run‑heavy approach from last season must evolve to give Rodriguez a more prominent role, while the defense aims to limit big plays and win the turnover battle. Also at 6 p.m., Sierra Vista faces Desert Oasis in the “Bell Game.” The rivalry is traditionally tight, and this year’s edition is expected to be closely contested. The Mountain Lions, who have won the last two meetings, will lean on senior running back Caleb Green and running back Marlo Busby, the duo that powered their ground attack a season ago. Desert Oasis must contain that duo to have a chance. The ninth‑ranked Diamondbacks bring a formidable defensive line capable of keeping scores low. Offensively, new starting quarterback Preston Helsham and senior wide receiver Anthony Sarracino look to lead a passing attack that could generate big numbers. As both teams open their seasons, the result will likely depend on which side executes a handful of key plays or forces a timely turnover. At the same hour, Legacy visits Palo Verde. The Panthers, ranked eighth, defeated Legacy 47‑32 last year and are slight favorites, largely due to their defensive reputation. Palo Verde posted a balanced, methodical offense in a 34‑18 win over Desert Pines the previous week. To repeat that success, the Panthers’ defense must neutralize the big plays Legacy produced in its 57‑16 victory over Silverado. Legacy’s backfield, led by running back Cameron Turner—who rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns last week—will look to build on that momentum. If the Longhorns seize an early lead, they could disrupt Palo Verde’s game plan and make the outcome intriguing. **Saturday Showdown** Sloan Canyon takes on McQueen at 1 p.m. in Reno. Despite dropping last year’s Class 4A state championship to McQueen, the fifth‑ranked Pirates are poised to reverse the narrative. Quarterback Cade Hoshino, who threw for more than 3,100 yards last season, has the ability to dictate the pace of a game, including this matchup. The Pirates’ season opener against Central East (California) was halted early by bad weather, leaving Hoshino eager to assert himself as a leading force in Nevada football. He will be joined by 38 teammates from last year’s 4A Southern Region championship squad, including wide receiver Brandon Quaglio and running back Jermaine Wilson Jr. McQueen will welcome back quarterback Ryder Tucker, who logged 2,357 passing yards and 33 touchdowns a year ago, but the Lancers lost several starters to graduation in the spring and may struggle to find rhythm in their opener. If Sloan Canyon can jump out to an early lead and shake McQueen’s confidence, avenging last year’s title loss becomes a realistic possibility.