2016 Nevada Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

By Mitch Stephens Aug 9, 2016, 11:08am

National third-ranked Bishop Gorman leads the way. Also watch out for Liberty, Reed, Centennial and Arbor View in the Nevada football #MaxPrepsFab5.

Video: Tate Martell Ultimate Highlights
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2016 Nevada Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Head coach: Kenny Sanchez
2015 record: 15-0
Team preview

Following a seventh-straight state crown and undefeated season, the Gaels enter 2016 with a 39-game win streak and are no doubt the class of Nevada.

Gorman returns 15 starters, including one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Tate Martell (6,182 total yards, 96 touchdowns over two seasons), the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year. They also get back running back Biaggio Ali Walsh (2,451 rushing yards, 33 touchdowns last season) and one of the nation's top defensive tackles, Ohio State-bound Haskell Garrett (6-2, 262). Martell is also an Ohio State commit as well.



Senior Austin Arnold (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) and juniors Jalen Nailor (5-10, 160) and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (6-2, 200) are prime targets at wide receiver. Thompson-Robinson is also the team's backup quarterback — he'll likely start next year — and is one of the top junior recruits in the country.

The entire secondary, anchored by USC-bound safety Bubba Bolden and four-star cornerback Alex Perry, is back from last season. Senior Farrell Hester (6-0, 235) and highly ranked junior Palaie Gaoteote lead a strong group of linebackers. Hester piled up a team-high 97 tackles last year, followed closely by Gaoteote (93).

See last season's Nevada computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Liberty (Henderson)

Head coach: Richard Muraco
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview

The Patriots outscored opponents 596-298 in 2015 and reached the Division I state final before losing to Gorman, 62-21. It was the sixth-straight season of double-digit wins for Liberty, which averaged 244 yards of passing and 202 yards of rushing per game in 2015.

Talented junior quarterback Kenyon Oblad returns after completing 172 of 276 passes for 3,106 yards and 34 touchdowns as a sophomore. Second-leading rusher Chad Tebay returns and should get the brunt of the carries and leading receiver Darion Acohido (57 catches, 824 yards) should pick up right where he left off last season.

Leading sacker Dariyen Sample (7.5) and top ball hawk Ethan Dedeaux (five interceptions) should lead the defense.



See the MaxPreps national football videos page

3. Reed (Sparks)
Head coach: Ernie Howren
2015 record: 13-1
Team preview
Tre Bussey, Reed
Tre Bussey, Reed
Photo by Jerry Sigua
The Raiders piled up a whopping 713 points last season, five times breaking the 60-point barrier. They lost in the first round of the Division I playoffs to Gorman but appear to be up for another big season with the talents of senior running back Tre Bussey, junior quarterback Cameron Emerson and senior receiver Robert Ferrel (54 catches, 981 yards, 15 touchdowns). The defense is also led by Bussey, who had 96 tackles in 2015.

See the MaxPreps Nevada football photos page

4. Arbor View (Las Vegas)

Head coach: Dan Barnson
2015 record: 10-2
Team preview

For the second-straight year and fourth time in six seasons, the Aggies won at least 10 games. They opened their season with a loss, rattled off 10 straight wins, then lost 28-10 to Bishop Gorman in the playoffs. They return starting quarterback Hayden Bollinger and Michael Sims led the team with five interceptions last year.

See the MaxPreps Nevada high school football playoff brackets

5. Centennial (Las Vegas)
Head coach: Leon Evans
2015 record: 8-3
Team preview



The Bulldogs were almost evenly divided between the pass and run last year, averaging 188 yards per game rushing and 164 passing. They return Jamaal Evans (119 of 211, 1,807 yards, 20 touchdowns, three interceptions) and leading rusher Kayvon Miller (641 yards) and receiver Savon Scarver (46 receptions, 865 yards, 11 touchdowns).