Coach: Victory shows Desert Oasis can compete with valley's top football teams

Members of the Desert Oasis High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun's high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 22, 2025. They include, from left, Eric Johnson, Vincent Harris and Gavin Winterrowd. Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

Desert Oasis High football coach Matt Rosdahl sensed his program could play with any team on its schedule.

Tonight, the Diamondbacks proved him right in a 32-14 win over Coronado to open Class 5A play. The same Coronado program played in the large-classification semifinals last season.

“This was an opportunity to show we belong with Coronado, Liberty, Arbor View, Faith Lutheran — all of the top teams in the valley,” Rosdahl said. “We always felt confident that when our team plays up to its capability we can play with anyone.”

Desert Oasis won a playoff game last season against Las Vegas in the second-tier classification. This season, it was elevated to the top class.

“We can play at this level,” the coach said. “We have the athletes and the coaching staff.”

The game was even at 14-14 until Ethan Estrada blocked a punt that was recovered by Marv Bailey for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.

Vincent Hales passed for 273 yards and three touchdowns, including a screen pass to Kyair Thomas that went 70 yards for a score to extend the lead. Giovanni Brown added a 50-yard touchdown run in the final minute and Desert Oasis improved to 3-2 on the season.

Desert Oasis will get another crack to solidify its rise next week against Faith Lutheran.

“Every week feels like it’s the most important game of the season,” Rosdahl said.