Nevada Preps high school football top 5 games of the week

**Friday** Bishop Gorman will visit Lone Peak in Utah at 6 p.m. The Gaels’ performance took a dramatic turn Saturday when they fell to Florida’s Christopher Columbus High on the road. The loss — anticipated by virtually no one — stripped Gorman of its No. 1 national ranking and shifted the season’s outlook. Although climbing back to the top appears unlikely, the Gaels know they must win out to keep any title hopes alive. Quarterback Ace Amina, wide receiver Noah Cole and running back Zyren Menor will need to be at their best Friday, and they will require support from a defense that usually dominates but surrendered the first 20 points of last week’s contest. If those elements align, Gorman (2‑1) should remain in control. The Knights (2‑1) suffered a 59‑3 defeat at the hands of elite IMG Academy from Florida two weeks earlier, but rebounded with a convincing 45‑3 victory over Skyline (Utah) last week. Despite slim odds of upsetting Gorman, the Knights could make the game interesting if they leverage their home‑field advantage at 4,500 feet in Highland, Utah, and maximize the production of standout running back Cruz Christensen. On‑field discipline will also be crucial; the Knights provoked a sideline scuffle during last year’s meeting that resulted in a forfeit. Arbor View travels to Hamilton, Arizona, for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Aggies open the season 0‑2 against out‑of‑state opponents, and the schedule does not ease this week. They face Arizona’s second‑ranked Hamilton, a team heavily favored to win. Hamilton has claimed seven Arizona AIA 5A/6A State Championships since 2003, aided by a coaching staff stocked with former college players. The Huskies (1‑0) play in a stadium that seats up to 10,000 fans and regularly fills those seats. Wide receiver and USC commit Roye Oliver serves as a primary playmaker, while the defensive line consists of large athletes who pride themselves on stopping the run. The Aggies prefer to move the ball, led by standout running back Thaddeus Thatcher. A handful of early big plays could swing the momentum, but last week’s porous offensive unit must tighten to give Thatcher time to drop back. Success through the air might enable running back Kamareion Bell to catch Hamilton off guard in passing situations. Although the odds are long, last week’s Gorman contest demonstrated that odds do not always dictate outcomes. Skyridge (Utah) meets Liberty at 7 p.m. The Patriots have a chance to avenge last year’s 45‑27 loss to the Falcons, who relied on a prolific passing attack (283 yards, five touchdowns) to make the victory look straightforward. Liberty has improved since then. Quarterback Madden Dela Cruz, who recorded 266 yards and two touchdowns in a 42‑0 blowout over American Samoa’s Tafuna last week, has gained experience, and running back Ezra Sanelivi, a BYU commit, has helped balance the run‑pass ratio. Combining those strengths with four quarters of focused defensive play could give the Patriots (1‑1) a win. The Falcons (2‑1) are known for finishing strong and capable of fourth‑quarter rallies to seal games. Veteran lineman Sua Ripley anchors both lines, and his effort could assist dual‑threat quarterback Jagger Fountaine in creating opportunities. Though the teams appear closely matched on paper, the victor will likely be the side that generates the most big plays while committing the fewest mistakes. Green Valley hosts Basic at 7 p.m. The Gators have won three of the past four “Henderson Bowl” games, though the margins have been narrow. Green Valley remains the favorite, but rivalry games are notoriously difficult to forecast. The Gators (1‑0) arrive after a dominant 43‑8 victory over Canyon Springs last week, powered by an explosive offense and a solid defensive line. They intend to exploit those advantages, as the Wolves (1‑1) have struggled in similar areas. A balanced offensive approach is expected, although Green Valley’s potent offensive unit could develop a running game that Basic struggles to contain. Basic also won last week, defeating Sierra Vista 34‑12. The Wolves’ chances will depend on the defense’s ability to disrupt the rush of Green Valley quarterback Michael Lewis. Offensively, they must employ their running game to assemble sustained drives while keeping the Gators’ offense off the field. Home‑field advantage and defensive consistency could also influence the outcome. If the Wolves’ defense takes lessons from its embarrassing 42‑8 loss to Foothill in the season opener, fans might witness a contest that comes down to the final possession. **Saturday** Mililani (Hawaii) faces Foothill at Liberty, set for 7 p.m. The Falcons enter the game 2‑0 and ranked No. 6 in Southern Nevada by Nevada Preps. The downside is that the Trojans represent Hawaii’s top‑ranked team and are 3‑0 after outscoring opponents 123‑24 this season. A Foothill