Nevada high school football rankings: Bishop Gorman headlines preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Gaels looking to add to record total of 18 state championships.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Dean Backes
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Aug 10, 2022, 1:00pm
The high school football season in Nevada kicks off in a little over a week with a complete slate of games scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 18-20. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) has won 12 of the last 14 big school state titles contested after beating McQueen (Reno) 56-7 in the Class 5A state title game last fall. The Gaels headline our look at this year's contenders in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Junior quarterback Micah Alejado returns for coach Brent Browner after guiding the Gaels to a 42-0 halftime advantage in the championship win and throwing for 285 yards and three scores on 13 of 14 passing. For the year, Alejado completed 129 of 178 attempts for 2,699 yards and 31 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Alejado's favorite target Zachariah Branch, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound five-star receiver committed to USC, caught seven passes in the title game for 150 yards and a score. Defensive backs Justyn Rhett (Georgia) and Kodi Decambra (Oregon) are back for their final seasons with the Gaels.

Ranked No. 6 nationally entering the season, Bishop Gorman's recent title legacy includes a championship in 2007 and then 10 straight from 2009 to 2018. The Gaels carry a nine-game winning streak into the 2022 season.

Liberty (Henderson) stopped Bishop Gorman's string of 10 titles in a row to capture the 2019 crown and sits at No. 2 going into the season. Head coach Rich Muraco returns talented linemen on both sides of the ball in A.J. Fuimaono (6-4, 290, Sr., DT) and Ed Haynes (6-3, 265, Sr., OL).

Silverado (Las Vegas) takes the No. 3 spot after claiming the Class 4A state title with a 61-27 triumph over Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas) last fall.

Read on for a complete look at Nevada's preseason top 25 for 2022.
Silverado has won 16 of its last 17 games dating back to the 2019 season, including last year's triumph at Allegiant Stadium in the Class 4A state championship game.
Silverado has won 16 of its last 17 games dating back to the 2019 season, including last year's triumph at Allegiant Stadium in the Class 4A state championship game.
Photo: Jules Karney
Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 12-1 record in 2021
2. Liberty (Henderson), 10-2
3. Silverado (Las Vegas), 12-0
4. Desert Pines (Las Vegas), 5-4
5. Arbor View (Las Vegas), 8-3
5. Bishop Manogue (Reno), 8-3
7. Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas), 2-7
8. Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas), 9-3
9. Spanish Springs (Sparks), 5-6
10. Green Valley (Henderson), 7-3
11. Foothill (Henderson), 5-3
12. Damonte Ranch (Reno), 6-5
13. McQueen (Reno), 10-2
14. Palo Verde (Las Vegas), 3-6
15. Legacy (North Las Vegas), 3-6
16. Elko, 7-3
17. Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas), 2-6
18. Durango (Las Vegas), 5-5
19. Moapa Valley (Overton), 12-0
20. Reno, 5-5
21. Coronado (Henderson), 7-3
22. Las Vegas, 7-4
23. Centennial (Las Vegas), 1-8
24. Clark (Las Vegas), 6-4
25. Sierra Vista (Las Vegas), 4-8

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