BEATTY -- It's still a learning process for both the coach and players involved in the Beatty High School football program.

Which is why first-year coach Gus Sullivan is happy the Nevada Class A Central Division Hornets have to be only concerned with working hard in practice. Their next game is Sept. 9 at Pyramid Lake, a West Division Class A team; kickoff will be at 1 p.m. The Lakers lost 32-0 to Owyhee in their opener last week.

"The boys have been working hard on defense this week," said Sullivan. And considering the Hornets fell behind 36-0 in the first half at Laughlin last Friday, that is understandable. Beatty did rally in the second half to close to within 64-44, "but that was too little, too late for us," said Sullivan. "Laughlin was a well-coached team that was very strong.

"Laughlin scored on its second play of the game and you could see our kids' heads drop," said the first-year coach. "We were getting everybody into the game, playing them at different positions," said Sullivan. "I am still learning about them, just as they are learning about me. We're looking to find the right combinations, and we're looking for strength."

Standouts for Beatty were veteran quarterback Matt Everts and fullback Tony Heilman, along with Junior Dare, Byron Gray and Joe Serrano.

"We've had a few more boys come out for the team, so that's good for us," said Sullivan.

Round Mountain, another Central 1-A team, opened with a 36-14 rout of Coleville, Calif., but the Knights have a major test tonight, when they play East power Carlin, which blasted Indian Springs 46-6 in its opener. Indian Springs is another Central Division member.

Brent Paulick rushed for 189 yards on just 11 carries for the Jim Swigart-coached Knights, who had quarterback Patrick Sweeney complete 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards.

Tonopah opens its season at home Saturday against Las Vegas Mountain View Christian; kickoff is at 1 p.m. The Saints edged Smith Valley 9-6 Saturday, preventing a go-ahead touchdown with no time left in the game.

Tonopah was 7-3 in the 2005 campaign and recorded its second straight unbeaten Central Division season. The Muckers are 13-8 in two years in Class A, under the direction of coach Curt McElroy.

In other games involving Class A teams, it was defending state champion Pahranagat Valley Alamo 42, Wells (the 2004 state 1-A winner) 0, and Henderson Warren-Walker 40, Las Vegas Agassi Prep 20.

Thursday night, it was Eureka at Wells. Tonight, Smith Valley is at Alamo.