The question for the 2016-17 Cougars is not if they will be good, but rather, how good will they be? Spanish Springs went 12-4 in regional play last year and returns four starters. It’s the largest reason the 4A North coaches tabbed them the preseason favorites in the Spark Tribune Coaches Poll. Tenth-year coach Kyle Penney isn’t moved by the preseason love. “You … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Cougars core intact
The Cougars were right there last year. Yes, they finished 7-20 overall, 4-12 in the former DI North (now 4A North for a second time). And yes, the .250 league winning percentage put them in fifth place in the High Desert League – five games out of the playoff picture. But consider this: Spanish Springs lost six games by five points or fewer and only scored five points … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Genung takes over as third coach in as many years
Change has grown into a constant for the Raiders. Reed enters this winter with its third coach in as many years. Zach Stanford stepped down in June following his first season replacing Dustin Hall, and now it is Joe Genung’s turn. Genung, 42, has an elaborate coaching history, in several sports, and has quickly learned about a challenge unique at Reed. The football team … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Raiders primed to contend
There were not any tears shed at Reed’s Senior Night last year. There weren’t pregame speeches read from notecards. There weren’t balloons tied to flowers. There weren’t even hugs. That’s because there wasn’t a Senior Night. The Raiders did not have a single senior on their roster, so everyone from last year’s team is back. Most will be back next year, too. In Reed’s … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Sparks ready to run
Sparks was a 57-55 double overtime loss at South Tahoe away from advancing to the 3A North regional tournament last winter. The defeat left them at 7-16, 6-10 – just one game behind both Spring Creek and Fallon for the final two spots in the field. Coach Dan Schreiber lost seven seniors from that team. That doesn’t mean he expects his team to bow out of contention. … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Beck to lead Railroader rebuild
New Sparks coach Tawnya Beck is familiar with winning. A 2004 Bishop Manogue grad, Beck won two state softball titles and a third as a member of the girls basketball team. Last year, she was an assistant for the Bishop Manogue girls basketball team which claimed its second-straight regional title. The program she just took over is not so familiar with winning. Sparks … [Read more...]
Shoup Shots: Reed down but not out, Pack hoops off to strong start
Friday night was awkward for the Reed faithful. For the first time since the 2010 season, the Raiders did not hoist a regional title trophy. Damonte Ranch stormed back from a 31-7 halftime deficit to knock the Raiders from their perch, 49-45, at McQueen. The defeat ended several streaks for the Blue and Gold. Five straight regional titles: Done. Twenty-six … [Read more...]
So close to six: Reed lets 31-7 halftime lead slip in 4A North title game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAqatbIuYj0 RENO – It had to end eventually. As dominant as Reed’s football program has become, it was not going to win every 4A North title until the end of time – although over the run of five-straight regional titles, it grew increasingly challenging to imagine the Raiders losing. It was especially difficult to see them going down in … [Read more...]