BEATTY HORNETS

HEAD COACH: Gus Sullivan (Second season)

LAST YEAR: 2-3; 4-5 Overall

PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.

QUOTE: Head coach Gus Sullivan on the importance of off-season conditioning: "They know that as soon as they hit the field they better be in shape."

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TONOPAH MUCKERS

HEAD COACH: Curt McElroy (Fourth Season)

LAST YEAR: 5-0; 10-2 Overall

PLAYOFFS: Lost to Alamo in state title game: 56-14

QUOTE: Head Coach Curt McElroy on what he teaches his players: "Understand the game. Have a love for the game. Give something back to the game."

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After losing key seniors, and after head coach Curt McElroy's home was nearly destroyed in a fire this summer, Tonopah's goal remains the same: "Build a dynasty."

The coach raved about the mettle and compassion found on his team, which was magnified this offseason.

McElroy said players put in more time during the summer than any other team he's had. He added that the first three nights of practice consisted of conditioning only, and the athletes handled it well.

Tonopah has conquered the Central Division the past three seasons, going undefeated in league play. Last year was highlighted by a record 654-yard passing explosion by quarterback Mitch Lehner in a first-round playoff win against Carlin.

The Muckers went on to lose in the state title game to Alamo - an experience that left McElroy and company with a bad taste in their mouths. The coach said his goal this year is another perfect league record and a state championship.

The Muckers lose Lehner, and must also fill voids left by middle linebacker Guy Wagner, defensive end Billy Hammer, and wide out Dakota Smith among others.

However, McElroy focuses on the team, not the individual. "It's not I and me, it's we and us," he said.

The coach expressed confidence going in to his fourth season as Tonopah's head coach and 23rd season coaching overall. "I think our kids are ready to play. All in all, we're going to be there."

The Muckers return 11 players who started on offense or defense last year.

Tonopah runs a unique, versatile offense, with all plays run out of the shotgun and with players often switching positions. McElroy said he's planning on Scott Thibodeaux taking Lehner's spot at quarterback.

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ROUND MOUNTAIN KNIGHTS

HEAD COACH: James Swigart (6th season)

LAST YEAR: 1-4; 2-7 Overall

PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.

QUOTE: Head coach Jim Swigart on the Round Mountain community: "What we do have is community of hard working miners who take a lot of pride in their job."

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The Knights posted 1-4 league record last year and 2-7 overall, but were "competitive with some truly committed individuals," said Swigart.

"Our win loss record was not what we had hoped for, but the players improved and the coaching staff learned a lot," he added.

The football program was almost scrapped before Swigart took over in 2002. The school lacked enough coaches to continue. After enjoying watching his son win a state championship in 1995 and come in second in '96, Swigart felt motivated and obligated to keep the tradition alive.

The coach, along with most Round Mountain residents, is employed at the local mine, Round Mountain Gold Corporation, one of NevadaPrep's primary sponsors. Swigart said the town is as rural as they come, with no stoplights within 160 miles of the town.

"What we do have is a community of hard working miners who take a lot of pride in their job," he said. Such attributes are passed on to the kids, so selling hard work on the football field comes easy, he added.

To take the Knights back to a championship level, Swigart must develop a young team. The Knights preliminarily have 11 freshmen, 5 sophomores, 6 juniors, and only 4 seniors.

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Other teams:

INDIAN SPRINGS THUNDERBIRDS

HEAD COACH: Sope Faga (14th Season)

LAST YEAR: 4-1; 5-6 overall

PLAYOFFS: Lost to Alamo in first round, 60-14

QUOTE: Head coach Sope Faga on rural Nevada football: "The greatest part about our league is that there are these hidden gems in there. Nothing beats getting on a bus and driving for five or six hours. It's been magnificent for me."

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SPRING MOUNTAIN

GOLDEN EAGLES

HEAD COACH: Marco Rafalovich (third season)

LAST YEAR: 3-2; 4-5 Overall

PLAYOFFS: Did not make playoffs.

QUOTE: Coach Marco Rafalovich, a former Pahrump Valley High School quarterback, on a typical Golden Eagle season: "It's a grind. We just hope that we have kids who care enough and have invested enough throughout the season to want to just keep on winning."

Wait and see.

That's the procedure for opposing coaches in determining how the Spring Mountain Golden Eagles will look in a given season. It's also the procedure for the head coach himself.

Spring Mountain Youth Camp is part of the Clark County Department of Juvenile Justice Services and is operated by the Clark County School District. The camp assists in fulfilling the department mission of holding juvenile offenders accountable and assisting them in becoming contributing members of society, according to the county website.

Spring Mountain, located 8,470 feet up at Angels Peak near Mt. Charleston, houses approximately 230 students per year.

---- NevPrep.com