The law of averages is as consistent as my ability to snap hook the first tee shot of the day. The founder of the breakfast ball is all of us. So, it came as little surprise that after correctly predicting how the seasons would end for the Reed, Spanish Springs and Sparks football teams in 2014 and 2015, I regressed to the mean in 2016. A .333 batting average would put me … [Read more...]
Reed Preview: New coaching staff, no new expectations
Raiders stay loaded, remain a contender despite Howren’s departure Most prep football coaches inherit limited expectations in their first season at a new school. They’re taking over a program that has struggled more often not. The coaching job was not vacant on accident. Tony Amantia does not belong to that faction. The former head coach at Bishop Manogue, Wooster and … [Read more...]
High Desert League capsules
A glance at the HDL’s six programs Is the No. 1 seed up for grabs? Some believe so. Others expect Tony Amantia to lead the Raiders to a league title in his first season replacing Ernie Howren. Reed has won the High Desert League title every year since the 4A North split into its current format before the 2012 season, compiling a 23-2 record in league play. If there is a … [Read more...]
High Desert League Coaches Poll
Coaches tab Reed favorite to defend league title All six High Desert League coaches anonymously participated in the Sparks Tribune 2017 preseason poll. Reed was picked to win what would be its sixth-straight HDL title, receiving four of the six first-place votes. Reno and McQueen also snared solo first-place votes. The HDL coaches almost nailed last year’s finishing … [Read more...]
Spanish Springs Preview: Cougs want to keep climbing
Ground game will be focus after throwing ball over 30 times a game last year Spanish Springs has methodically scaled the High Desert League standings in its first three seasons under the direction of Eric Borja. The Cougars finished fifth, one spot out of the playoffs, in 2014. They took fourth in 2015. And last year, a goal-line stand in the final minute at McQueen … [Read more...]
Sierra League capsules
A preview of the five Sierra League programs, including defending 4A North champ Damonte Ranch As one Sierra League coach put it, the layout of the league has changed significantly. And he wasn’t talking about the emergence of Damonte Ranch, which ended Reed’s run of regional titles at five in November and fields a quarterback verbally committed to Notre Dame. He was … [Read more...]
Sparks Preview: New-look Railroaders aspire to surprise 3A North
First-year coach Brad Rose installing spread offense There are two new coaches in Sparks this year. And they are in entirely different positions. At Reed, Tony Amantia is taking over a program that has won five of the last six 4A North regional titles. At Sparks, Brad Rose doesn’t have that luxury. He inherits a program that is 16-71 since its last winning season in … [Read more...]
Part II: Q&A with Eric Musselman
Nevada’s to-be third year coach talks offseason, recruiting Nevada men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman’s team hasn’t played a game in nearly five months, but his program has stayed in the headlines. The highest paid coach in school history joined the Nathan Shoup Show on ESPN Radio 94.5 FM last Friday to talk about the busy offseason. Part one can be found here. … [Read more...]