High School Sports

Nevada football for dummies

Published

1 month ago

April 18, 2025

After every Wolf Pack football spring camp, I write up a “Nevada football for dummies” post for fans who haven’t closely followed our coverage for a chance to get familiar with the roster heading into next season. Don’t worry: If you read this, you’re not a dummy. I stole the title from those famous books. With Wolf Pack football wrapping up spring camp last week, here’s a breakdown of Nevada heading into the summer before fall camp begins in July.

Wolf Pack at a glance

2024: 3-10 overall, 0-7 Mountain West (12th out of 12)

Coach: Jeff Choate (second season) – At Nevada: 3-10; overall 31-32

Offensive coordinator: David Gilbertson (first season)

Defensive coordinator: Kane Ioane (second season)

Returning starters: Four (three on offense; one on defense)

Players to watch: QB Cubba Purdy; WR Marcus Bellon; OL Andrew Madrigal; RB Herschel Turner Jr.; TE Jace Henry; DL Thomas Witte; LB Stone Combs; DB Murvin Kenion III

Primary strengths: Nevada doesn’t have much returning productivity, but you can see a path to success at the offensive skill positions with Purdy likely taking over the offensive reins with a solid WR (Bellon), TE (Henry), RB (Turner) and intriguing youngsters at wideout (Marshaun Brown, Nate Burleson II). On defense, the Wolf Pack’s linebacker corps should be solid and there’s experience at secondary via transfer additions. Nevada has raved about the team’s bond and unity.

Potential problems: Nevada has among the fewest returning productivity of any FBS program, especially on defense. The Wolf Pack lost its top passer, top-three rushers, top-two pass catchers, three starting offensive linemen and six of its top-seven tacklers, not to mention all of its interceptions and 82 percent of its sacks. Depth is a concern across the board, especially in the trenches. And there are no returning starters on the defensive back seven, with the secondary a complete rebuild.

Team overview

Offense

Nevada’s offense showed more signs of life last season but remained a below-average unit. The Wolf Pack’s 23.1 points per game, up from 17.3 ppg the year prior, ranked 105th out of 134 FBS schools and eighth out of 12 MW schools. Nevada’s 163.5 rushing yards per game were its most since 2016, a positive sign given Choate takes a run-first approach. That run game will again be the foundation of Nevada’s 2025 attack, which will have a lot of key personnel changes.

Gone is offensive coordinator Matt Lubick, who accepted a job at Kansas in the offseason with quarterbacks coach David Gilbertson promoted to coordinator, a role he’ll hold for the first time. QB Brendon Lewis transferred to Memphis, leaving Purdy and A.J. Bianco to battle for the starting job. Chubba Purdy is the favorite. He’ll have two security-blanket targets in WR Marcus Bellon (39/522/4) and TE Jace Henry, who scored two touchdowns in four games before breaking his foot.

Utah State transfer RB Herschel Turner Jr. (79/405/4) showed as a true freshman last season he can succeed in the MW. He’s expected to lead a running back room that will run behind an offensive line that returns two starters in C Andrew Madrigal and RG Josh Grabowski, although LT Isaiah World, a potential 2026 first-round draft pick, transferred to Oregon. The offense has plenty of questions but more returning continuity year over year than the defense. Purdy’s play (and health) will be key.

Defense

Nevada’s defense took a step forward in Choate’s first season but lacked explosive plays. The Wolf Pack cut its points per game allowed from 33.4 in 2023 to 28.8 in 2024, which ranked 95th in the nation and seventh in the MW. But Nevada produced just 14 takeaways and 14 sacks in 13 games while allowing almost 200 rushing yards per game, areas that must be improved in 2025 if Nevada is going to return to bowl contention.

The Wolf Pack brings back the entire defensive staff, although a number of position coaches are in new roles. The only returning starter is DT Thomas Witte, a former walk-on now in his sixth season at Nevada. That defensive line has its share of question marks and is embracing a more blue-collar approach. The group must be better against the run (5.1 yards per carry allowed) and get more consistent pressure on the quarterback. DE Dylan Labarbera has breakout potential.

The back seven is a complete rebuilt after losing starters LB Drue Watts (Memphis), CB Michael Coats Jr. (West Virginia), CB Chad Brown (Purdue) and S Tori Daffin to transfer with S Kitan Crawford a likely NFL draft pick. Out of the portal, Nevada added Sac State’s Murvin Kenion III, UTEP’s AJ Odums, Bowling Green’s Edward Rhambo, Weber State’s Zavien Abercrombie, Nebraska’s Cooper Wilson and Columbia’s Hayden McDonald. That secondary is the big question.

Special teams

Nevada breaks in a new starting kicker in Kian Afrookhteh, who got some work late last season as an injury replacement and made both of his field goals and all nine of his extra points. Freshman punter Bailey Ettridge, an Australian import, is expected to start. Marcus Bellon (8.2 yards per return last season) has all-conference potential as a punt returner. Ky Woods (24 yards per return) and Marquis Ashley (21.5 yards per return) both have kick return experience.

Schedule

After playing one of the hardest schedules in program history in Choate’s first season, things are more reasonable in 2025, although the season opener — at Penn State — is formidable. Nevada also plays two Conference USA teams (Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee) in non-league plus FCS foe Sac State. The Wolf Pack hosts rivals Boise State and UNLV, last year’s MW championship game teams, and plays six 2024 bowl teams in total. Three of the Wolf Pack’s four conference road games are against non-bowl teams, so the better teams are coming to Mackay Stadium.

2025 outlook

Nevada is coming off back-to-back-to-back 10-loss seasons, the Wolf Pack’s worst stretch since joining the FBS in 1992. Last year showed on-field improvements but a lack of discipline and late-game execution led to a 2-6 record in one-possession game. With only four returning starters, outside expectations are still relatively muted. But the Wolf Pack expects to take a jump to a bowl game in Choate’s second season in charge. That’d marked the first postseason appearance since 2021.

Extra points

Top newcomer

RB Herschel Turner Jr: Turner’s high school résumé is the stuff of video games. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back from Richmond, Calif., rushed for 3,027 yards and 42 touchdowns, both school records, as a senior, averaging 17.1 yards per game. he also had 67 tackles, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries on defense. As a true freshman at Utah State last season, he rushed 79 times for 405 yards (5.1 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns, catching 12 passes for 71 yards.

Trend to note

Nevada’s roster remains under construction. The Wolf Pack exited spring camp in need of cutting around 15 players to get down to the NCAA maximum of 105 players if the House settlement is approved. That’s before adding any players from the spring transfer portal. So, more roster changes are coming, largely on the bottom of the roster, after Nevada lost 21 players to the portal during the winter period. By the time the dust settles, the Wolf Pack roster should be around 80 percent constructed of players Choate recruited despite getting the job just 16 months ago.

Quote to note

“We’re really a unified group right now, and that’s something we have to invest in. It’s not going to happen organically. We have to create opportunities for us to grow as a team. Becoming unified as a team is one goal. The second thing is they’ve got to grind. The summer’s where it’s at. The offseason is great. Spring camp is great. But the culmination of your summer training is real football. That’s where you really have to make it happen. (Strength) coach (Jason) Loscalzo’s got his job in front of him. We’re taking the whistle off. He’s putting it on. And those guys have to grind in the weight room spending time together getting to know each other.” – Choate

Projected starting lineups

Two-deep depth chart on offense

Two-deep depth chart on defense

Spring MW power rankings

Coming next week!

Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.

Related Topics:big blue bottom coach complete football green group health high school high school football history late new season sports team usa video watch winter

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High School Sports

State Semifinal

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

High School Sports

Wayne

Sectional postseason action heated up Saturday with a full slate of games across the Wayne-Finger Lakes, with several more teams advancing to the next round. Canandaigua baseball rolled past Victor behind Tyler Christopher’s three-RBI day and a complete game from Johnny Mohammed. Alexander Rogers dominated on the mound for Waterloo, striking out 19 in a […]

Published

4 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Sectional postseason action heated up Saturday with a full slate of games across the Wayne-Finger Lakes, with several more teams advancing to the next round.

Canandaigua baseball rolled past Victor behind Tyler Christopher’s three-RBI day and a complete game from Johnny Mohammed. Alexander Rogers dominated on the mound for Waterloo, striking out 19 in a shutout win over North Rose-Wolcott. On the softball side, Gwyn Panek powered Waterloo with a home run, triple, and double to lift the Tigers.

Check out all the scores and stats below.

BASEBALL

Class AA Quarterfinals
No. 6 Canandaigua 12
No. 3 Victor 3

Tyler Christopher led the Gray Wolves with two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Sam Clark, Jack Clark, and Cole Harris each added two hits, while Johnny Mohammed contributed two hits of his own and earned the complete game win on the mound.

Class B Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 9 North Rose-Wolcott 0
No. 8 Waterloo 6

Alexander Rogers was dominant on the mound for the Tigers, striking out 19 over 6.1 shutout innings while allowing just four hits and one walk. He also scored a run in the win. Dylan Caraballo led the offense with two hits and a run, while Aidan Acquilano added a double, a run, and an RBI. Marcus Haffner and Lathan Milliman each collected two hits for North Rose-Wolcott.

Class C1 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 13 Caledonia-Mumford 3
No. 4 East Rochester 4

Class C1 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 11 South Seneca/Romulus 1
No. 6 Notre Dame-Batavia 11

Bryce Racono went the distance on the mound for South Seneca/Romulus, striking out five in a complete-game effort. Samual Dufour led the offense with a pair of singles, while Hunter Scott added a hit and scored a run. Liam Wolvert and Kyan Miller-Hopkins each chipped in with a single.

Class C1 Quarterfinals
No. 8 Williamson 3
No. 1 Sodus 5

Austin Cincinello struck out 11 over six strong innings to lead the Spartans to the next round, while also contributing a single, walk, and run at the plate. Jordan Orrange-Paton launched a two-run homer, and Garrett Barron tallied two singles, a walk, and an RBI. Cooper Ingersoll added a single, two runs, a walk, and an RBI as part of a balanced Sodus offense. The Marauders rallied for three runs in the seventh behind RBI singles from Devin Allen and Michael Ishler, with Allen and Caiden Watson combining for eight strikeouts on the mound.

Class C1 Quarterfinals
No. 7 Bloomfield 7
No. 2 Pembroke 6

Grady Rogers sparked the Bombers early with a two-run single as part of a multi-hit day, helping the Bloomfield build a 7-0 lead through three innings. Kevin Dredger and Gunner Vogel each added RBI singles, drew walks, and scored, while Joey Walsh tossed five innings with five strikeouts and chipped in an RBI at the plate.

Class C2 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 13 Alexander 9
No. 4 Honeoye 10

Kyle Schmitt ignited the Bulldogs’ comeback with two singles, three runs scored, and an RBI while striking out three in two innings of relief. Owen Cuba earned the save with two strikeouts in the final frame and added two hits, two RBI, and a walk at the plate. Samuel Clark tripled, singled, walked, scored twice, and struck out two over 2.2 innings on the mound. Christopher Shannon chipped in with two singles and two runs, while Dylan Washburn added a hit, an RBI, a run, and a walk.

Class C2 Quarterfinals
No. 6 Cuba-Rushford 0
No. 3 Gananda 8

Henry Shutts delivered a complete-game gem for the Blue Panthers, striking out 10 and helping his own cause with two walks and a run scored. William Schneemann paced the offense with two singles, two walks, two runs, and two RBI. Anthony D’Agostino added a single and drove in three, while Peter Jacob went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Owen Switzer doubled and scored, and Brady Wadsworth chipped in with an RBI single.

Class D Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 13 Hinsdale 2
No. 4 Naples 4

Oliver Bruen delivered a key two-run home run in the third inning to help power the Big Green Machines. Theron VanZandt chipped in with two singles and scored twice, while Wilhelm Schmitt added an RBI single. Hunter Jacoby started on the mound and pitched four innings with two strikeouts. James Haremza, Lukas Hall, and Grady Grove each pitched in relief, combining for six strikeouts over three innings.

SOFTBALL

Class AA Quarterfinals
No. 7 Victor 2
No. 2 Penfield 13

Class B1 Quarterfinals
No. 8 Penn Yan 0
No. 1 Haverling 20

Class B1 Quarterfinals
No. 5 Midlakes 5
No. 4 Livonia 11

Class B1 Quarterfinals
No. 6 Hornell 0
No. 3 Waterloo 9

Gwyn Panek powered the Tigers with a triple, double, home run, three RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases in a dominant all-around performance. Maddie Westerberg added three singles, two runs, two RBI, and two steals. Gwen DiIorio went the distance in the circle, striking out nine in a complete game victory. Allisa Haley led Hornell at the plate with a pair of singles.

Class B2 Quarterfinals
No. 5 Mynderse 3
No. 4 Le Roy 7

Kyah Lajewski led the Blue Devils offense with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Bella Burlew added a solo home run, while Mercedes Santana chipped in with an RBI single.

Class B2 Quarterfinals
No. 7 North Rose-Wolcott 0
No. 2 Wayland-Cohocton 9

Class C1 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 10 Canisteo-Greenwood 0
No. 7 South Seneca/Romulus 4

Class C2 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 10 Clyde-Savannah 5
No. 7 Alexander 24

Class C2 Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 14 Honeoye 0
No. 3 Genesee Valley-Belfast 12

BOYS LACROSSE

Class D Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 9 Waterloo 3
No. 8 Haverling 17

GIRLS LACROSSE

Class B Pre-Quarterfinals
No. 9 Canandaigua 21
No. 8 Eastridge/Bishop Kearney 14

CAN: Alexandra DiSanto (1g), Taylor Ennis-Chinn (4g-1a), Keira Gioseffi (5g-2a), Samantha Lupton (3g-2a), Lola Schorr (2g-5a), Leah Sheridan (1g-1a), Sarah Urlacher (1g-1a), Nola Weaver (4g-1a) Goaltending: Aviana Nelson 7s/14ga (48 mins)

Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].

High School Sports

25 Sports High School Saturday

(25News Now) – El Paso-Gridley is the 1A State Girl’s Track Champion. Normal U-High is the 2A State Girl’s Track Champion. Eureka, IVC, Peoria Notre Dame and Normal U-High win 2A baseball regional titles. Heyworth and Illini Bluffs win 1A baseball regional titles. Dunlap and Metamora are both sectional tennis champs. Metamora has a softball […]

Published

6 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

(25News Now) – El Paso-Gridley is the 1A State Girl’s Track Champion. Normal U-High is the 2A State Girl’s Track Champion.

Eureka, IVC, Peoria Notre Dame and Normal U-High win 2A baseball regional titles. Heyworth and Illini Bluffs win 1A baseball regional titles.

Dunlap and Metamora are both sectional tennis champs. Metamora has a softball day for the ages with their 1,000th program win!

You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

High School Sports

High school highlights for Saturday, May 24, 2025

SECTION 1-2A Elimination Round ADVERTISEMENT • Winona Cotter’s Briar Rouleau made a diving catch in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded to secure a 1-0 win over Cannon Falls. Madelyn Speltz scattered six hits to pitch the shutout. Cotter moves to the final four of the section, playing Caledonia on Tuesday. SECTION […]

Published

8 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SECTION 1-2A

Elimination Round

• Winona Cotter’s Briar Rouleau made a diving catch in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded to secure a 1-0 win over Cannon Falls. Madelyn Speltz scattered six hits to pitch the shutout. Cotter moves to the final four of the section, playing Caledonia on Tuesday.

SECTION 1-2A

Second Round

• Luke Sems picked up the win on the mound, throwing a complete game for Pine Island and limiting Lourdes to one run on two hits as the Panthers beat the Eagles 11-1 in six innings. Sems struck out seven and was 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Brandon Week went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run for the Panthers. PI advances to the winners bracket quarterfinals to play St. Charles on Monday.

SECTION 1-1A

Second Round

• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th with no outs, Josiah Dornink drew a loaded count walk to end the game and get a 4-3 win for Hayfield over Goodhue. Dornink finished 1-for-4 with a double and the winning RBI. Ben Nelson threw eight innings for the Vikings, scattering three hits, three runs (one earned) and six walks with three strikeouts. Eric Bermea came in to relieve Nelson and pitch the final three innings. Bermea allowed just one hit. Hayfield will face No. 1 seed Lyle/Pacelli in the quarterfinals on Monday.

By
Staff reports

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

High School Sports

FULL HIGHLIGHT

#1 Calallen wins an absolute classic over #8 Tuloso-Midway 1-0 in 10 innings of the one-game 4A-I Region Final at Cabaniss. Postgame reaction from both teams. Author: kiiitv.com Published: 1:09 AM CDT May 24, 2025 Updated: 1:09 AM CDT May 24, 2025 1

Published

11 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

#1 Calallen wins an absolute classic over #8 Tuloso-Midway 1-0 in 10 innings of the one-game 4A-I Region Final at Cabaniss. Postgame reaction from both teams.

High School Sports

Seven Cape & Islands boys and girls teams were in action as the regular season winds down

It was a career day for Nantucket’s Mayson Lower, who notched five goals to join the 100-goal club for her career. Lower added a trio of assists to help propel the Whalers (13-4) to a sixth-straight victory as they beat the Vineyarders (9-9) 14-3 on Saturday. Maddie Lombardi added a hat trick and Louisa Beni […]

Published

12 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Seven Cape & Islands boys and girls teams were in action as the regular season winds down

It was a career day for Nantucket’s Mayson Lower, who notched five goals to join the 100-goal club for her career.

Lower added a trio of assists to help propel the Whalers (13-4) to a sixth-straight victory as they beat the Vineyarders (9-9) 14-3 on Saturday.

Maddie Lombardi added a hat trick and Louisa Beni had a goal and two assists, while Suz Peraner (one assist), Grace Hanlon and Dylan Damian all scored once.

The Vineyarders are currently ranked 33rd in the MIAA Division 3 Power Rankings, but they would still qualify for the state tournament as they have a .500 record.

In other high school sports action:

Boys Lacrosse

Nantucket 12, Martha’s Vineyard 5: The Whalers (11-4) won their third straight game. The Vineyarders (5-13), who are 30th in the Division 3 Power Rankings, have lost nine straight games to end the season, and will hope they’ve done enough to get into the state tournament.

Baseball

Martha’s Vineyard 10, Nantucket 0 (5 inn.): Wyatt Loughman threw a no hitter, striking out six batters. Rob Pacheco was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Ted Pacheco was 2-for-2 with a RBI and two runs scored. Lathrop Keene was 2-for-3 with a triple, a RBI and a run scored. The Vineyarders (10-9) have won two straight games.

The Whalers (8-11), who are currently ranked 45th in Division 4, likely saw their playoff hopes come to an end with one game remaining on their season.

Softball

Nantucket 12, Martha’s Vineyard 0: The Whalers (6-12) ended a three-game slide at the expense of the Vineyarders (4-14).

Carver 9, Dennis-Yarmouth 4: The Dolphins ended their season with a 7-12 record after falling in the regular season finale.

Upper Cape 14, Barnstable 7: The Rams (14-6) won in a non-league matchup in their final tune up before the state tournament. The Red Hawks (4-16) closed their season with three straight defeats.

The Rams fell behind 4-1 early but chipped away until they exploded in the fifth inning, led by Kenley Thomas who drove in two on a monster drive to left field, and Taysia Lopes who had three hits. Jaelynn Harraden was a menace on the base paths, stealing multiple bases, driving in two runs and scoring three times.

Defensively, Amya Irving made a circus catch to end the sixth and threw out the last runner of the game. Lopes struck out 11 batters in the winning cause.

The Rams will play in the semi-finals of the Vocational Tournament on Tuesday at Franklin County Vocational.

Allen Gunn covers high school sports for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at agunn@gannett.com and follow him on X at @allentgunn.

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