The Las Vegas Chaparral Cowboys are coached by Fernando Carmona, who was 5-15 in his first two years as coach. They were 3-7 in 2005, 3-3 in the Northeast Division.

The Cowboys have five returning starters on offense, four on defense.

Their top players are linebacker Quentin McCloud, junior, 5-10, 190; offensive tackle Jeff Morgan, sophomore, 6-3, 280; defensive back Richard Hines, senior, 5-11, 165; quarterback Jarmell Mingo, senior, 5-11, 165; nose guard Jeremy Newby, senior, 5-5, 175; tight end-defensive end Kevin VanLandingham, senior, 6-2, 190; wide receiver Matt Huestis, senior, 5-9, 140; fullback Austin Tialevea, senior, 5-8, 250, and offensive tackle Johnny Gomez, senior, 6-5, 290.

Carmona has switched Mingo from safety to quarterback to run an option-oriented offense this season. Tialevea and McCloud are the primary running backs.

To prepare for the 2006 campaign, Carmona took his team on a three-day retreat to Big Bear, Calif.

The Cowboys' schedule:

Today, Home vs. Pahrump Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8, Henderson Basic, 7 p.m.; Sept. 15, at Henderson Green Valley, 7 p.m; Sept. 21, at Las Vegas Valley, 7 p.m; Sept. 29, at Desert Pines, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6, Canyon Springs, 7 p.m.; Oct. 13, Las Vegas, 7 p.m.; Oct. 20, Eldorado, 7 p.m.; Oct. 26, Shadow Ridge, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3, vs. Rancho at Eldorado, 7 p.m.

There is no easy way to get to any place in Las Vegas during rush-hour traffic on a Friday afternoon. So, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Chaparral High School is located at 3850 Annie Oakley Drive in east Las Vegas near the Boulder Highway.

According to a high school official, take I-15 to Flamingo and head east. Connecting streets are north on Sandhill and east on Viking to Annie Oakley. Visiting spectators should park in the North lot at the school.

Chaparral colors are black and orange, with the Cowboys playing out of the Class 4-A Sunrise region.