Well, what do we do now?
The prep football season always seems to fly by and 2016 was no different. Yes, there is still technically one game left in the season, the 4A state title game in Las Vegas on Saturday, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s over.
We could turn the page to basketball season. Or, we could look back on the season that was in the 4A North.
Like any year, some results were expected. Others were not. Most notably, Reed’s run of regional titles ending.
So without further ado, the final Sparks Tribune Power Rankings of the year.
Click here to see how the rankings progressed over the course of the season.
1. Damonte Ranch Mustangs (12-2)
The Mustangs did not come out of nowhere. There were expectations for this team in the preseason. They realized them.
Damonte prevented Reed from pushing its streak of regional titles to six with a thrilling 49-45 win in the 4A North title game. It was the school’s first regional title. Damonte fell to Liberty, 30-27, in the state semis on Saturday.
Coach Sawn Dupris’ squad will not be a flash in the pan. Quarterback Cade McNamara lit the region on fire, earning Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year honors. He’ll be just a junior next fall.
2. Reed Raiders (11-2)
It was another dominant season for the Raiders. But unlike several past seasons, it didn’t end with a state berth.
Uncharacteristic turnovers were Reed’s undoing in the second half of the 4A North title game.
The Raiders lost their first and final games of the season, sandwiched around an 11-game winning streak.
3. Reno Huskies (10-2)
Led by 4A North Player of the Year and BYU commit Brandon Kaho, the Huskies had the pieces to contend for the regional crown.
Reno just wasn’t explosive enough to play from behind, and that’s exactly the situation it found itself in the semifinals at Damonte. The Huskies fell into an early 21-0 hole and couldn’t climb out.
4. Douglas Tigers (6-4)
Ernie Monfiletto was named the Sierra League Coach of the Year. No complaints here.
Expectations were limited for the 2016 Tigers, but they beat Carson – at Carson, hosted a playoff game for the first time in seven years, and advanced to the regional semifinals.
5. Carson Senators (5-5)
Injuries lowered this team’s ceiling.
The Senators should round back into their contending selves next year. Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year Abel Carter will be back and he will be running behind an experienced offensive line.
6. Spanish Springs Cougars (5-4)
Korbin Marcum was the best pocket passer in the 4A North not named Cade McNamara.
Unfortunately for the Cougs, Marcum got hurt in the final game of the regular season, at Reed, and missed the postseason game at Douglas.
Spanish Springs’ lack of size was their undoing in the final three games of the season – all losses – vs Reno, at Reed and at Douglas.
7. McQueen Lancers (3-7)
The Lancers were six yards (and a PAT) from forcing overtime in the final seconds of the league opener against Spanish Springs.
A slant at the goal line was intercepted and returned 100 yards to end the game, and set the tone for McQueen’s season.
8. Bishop Manogue (4-6)
Manogue was a nice story this year, overcoming a heartbreaking loss to Douglas in the league opener to get into the postseason.
The Miners were incredibly young this season. They’re only going to get better.
9. Galena Grizzlies (2-7)
Galena started this year as a regional title contender and ended it out of the playoffs.
A slew of injuries and non-football issues did the Grizzlies in.
10. Hug Hawks (1-7)
The Hawks were better than their record suggests.
They lost to Galena by one, Manogue by 12, and Reno by nine before getting over the hump in their final game of the season, handing North Valleys, 41-0.
11. North Valleys Panthers (0-9)
North Valleys was outscored 436-87 this year, getting shut out four times.
Leave a Reply