High School Football Picks: Week 11

Members of the Moapa Valley 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, Caden Rawson, Tony Carrillo and Brody Redd. Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association will release the Class 5A and Class 4A high school football playoff brackets at 12 p.m. Sunday, adding significance to Friday’s games as teams jockey for their spot.

This marks the first year the NIAA is using a mathematical formula to determine postseason seeding — and its certainly created plenty of debate.

Bishop Gorman, Liberty and Arbor View have all but secured the top three spots in the four-team Open Division bracket. That leaves Shadow Ridge, Foothill and Las Vegas battling for the final slot — though “slot” might be too generous a term.

Whoever claims fourth place earns a first-round date with nationally ranked Gorman, while the team that finishes fifth becomes the top seed in Class 5A with a legitimate path to a state title.

It’s a fascinating dilemma, and there will be plenty to unpack in the coming days. But first, let’s turn our attention to this week’s matchups.

The column looks to build on last week’s 17-2 mark and sits at 148-43 for the season.

Virgin Valley at Moapa Valley

Anyone have a coin? This edition of the Hammer Game will be a classic. Moapa Valley 22, Virgin Valley 20

Bishop Gorman at Shadow Ridge

Shadow Ridge’s blowout loss to Bishop Gorman is the best thing that could happen to its state championship hopes. Gorman 50, Shadow Ridge 0

Foothill at Faith Lutheran

A blowout victory by Foothill could make the postseason bracket look different. Foothill 32, Faith Lutheran 16

Arbor View at Las Vegas

This is Las Vegas’ state championship game. Arbor View 45, Las Vegas 39

Coronado at Liberty

It’s safe to say this game is circled on Liberty’s calendar. Liberty 41, Coronado 19

Canyon Springs at Desert Pines

Here’s hoping Desert Pines keeps its young and talented roster together. Desert Pines 31, Canyon Springs 19

Cheyenne at Silverado

Silverado piles up the points, gets No. 1 seed in playoffs. Silverado 50, Cheyenne 8

Cadence at Spring Valley

Speaking of piling on the points. Spring Valley 52, Cadence 0

Cimarron-Memorial at Western

Not many teams can say they won the last game of the season. Cimarron 27, Western 12

Valley at Sloan Canyon

Sloan Canyon, at least according to my math, is the favorite to win the Class 4A. Sloan Canyon 43, Valley 0

Basic at Desert Oasis

Desert Oasis will be a tough out in the Class 5A because of its strong passing attack. Desert Oasis 41, Basic 7

Slam Nevada at Durango

Could Slam become a threat in the Class 4A playoffs? Slam 30, Durango 20

Bonanza at Clark

Don’t be surprised when Clark wins a playoff game next week. Clark 35, Bonanza 13

Chaparral at Del Sol

Homer pick: Chaparral closes season with two straight wins. Chaparral 31, Del Sol 29

Legacy at Green Valley

Green Valley gains momentum for the postseason. Green Valley 29, Legacy 19

Centennial at Losee

Centennial needs to fine-tune some things before the elimination games begin. Centennial 33, Losee 17

Palo Verde at Mojave

Mojave wins for the fourth time in five games to solidify its place in the playoffs. Mojave 23, Palo Verde 19

Eldorado at Mater East

Mater East can score with any team in the Class 4A. Mater East 41, Eldorado 17

Pahrump Valley at Boulder City

Boulder City has a senior-heavy roster. It will not lose on Senior Night. Boulder City 20, Pahrump Valley 19