Here is a breakdown of the seven playoff-eligible Class 5A and 4A high school football teams in Southern Nevada this season:

Class 5A Southern Region

Bishop Gorman Gaels

Coach: Brent Browner (61-4, entering seventh season)

2025 record: 11-1

Playoffs: Won Open Division state championship

Breakdown: Bishop Gorman brings back 19 players from its team that won a fifth straight state title. The Gaels boast many of their starters from last year’s team, led by first-team All-Southern Nevada selections RB Noah Cole, four-star WR Zyren Menor and OL Jamaree Turner. Most of Gorman’s returning core is on defense, led by a strong secondary with Oregon commit Hayden Stepp, Cal commit Kamil Loud and UNLV commit Azavier McDaniel. DB Brayley Manning, DL Tayaun Lawrence and four-year LB Tamatoa Gaoteote will also anchor a strong Gaels defense. Newcomers for the Gaels include three-star TE Seager Milholen, three-star WR Gavin Honore, RB Corey Hinton, LB Roy Otis III and Kansas commit Chance Thomas, who is expected to battle Ace Amina for the starting quarterback spot. The Gaels have 36 players with at least one Division I college offer.

Faith Lutheran Crusaders

Coach: Jay Staggs (6-8, entering second season)

2025 record: 6-8

Playoffs: Lost in 5A state championship game to Spanish Springs

Breakdown: Faith Lutheran made a surprise late-season run in 2025 to get into the 5A Southern Region playoffs and the Crusaders completed a comeback victory after trailing 28-0 in the region title game to reach the program’s third straight state title game. With 33 varsity players back from last year’s team, Faith Lutheran is expected to be just as strong. WR/CB Jaden Mason, a UNLV commit, is one of Faith Lutheran’s top returners, as is kicker Liam Radke, who is committed to play baseball at North Carolina. Other top returners for Faith Lutheran include QB Dom Folino, CB Ace Brimmer, ATH Trey Fox, S Nami Meeks, OL Brayden Nelson and DL Joel Sandoval. Staggs said newcomers Grant O’Reilly, an offensive lineman, WR Gavin Folino, ATH Dom Aguilar, OL Zion Echevarria, DL Ethan Bailey, ATH Clint Bourque and TE Will Halligan will be contributors this season.

Losee Lions

Coach: Spike Rossi (entering first full season)

2025 record: 0-10

Playoffs: None

Breakdown: Last year was a season of transition for Losee, which is entering its fifth season with a football program, but Rossi is optimistic about the foundation laid last after taking over midseason in 2025 and into the offseason for the direction of the program. Losee had 25 returners and Rossi is optimistic about the veteran offensive line and linebacking core led by LB Xander Leaks and OL/DL Tyler Underwood. Rossi added WR/DB Coen Daniel, QB/WR Lucas Mamac, DE Noah Gayle and DL Damian Lopez. The Lions bring in seven new players including former Gorman OL Teyton Savea, and other newcomers include RB/LB Roni Fua, DB DJ Hunter (who has a UNLV basketball offer), RB Tristan Savea Tanielu, LB/TE Saolotoga Panama Faiivae, LB Trustin Afoa-Kuhiiki, DB/LB Tayven Savea and OL/DL Damian Pichardo.

Class 4A Southern Region

Cadence Cougars

Coach: Adrian Garcia (entering first season)

2025 record: 0-9

Playoffs: None

Breakdown: Cadence found itself as one of the four remaining playoff-eligible 4A Southern Region teams after the departure of the CCSD schools. The Cougars will look to find success against the 4A schools, while also playing non-CCSD independents and 2A Southern programs. Most of Cadence’s top players from last year graduated, but among notable returners is Bradyn Graham (four TD catches last year).

Mater East Knights

Coach: Tim Hough (entering first full season)

2025 record: 7-4

Playoffs: Lost in 4A Southern Region semifinals to Sloan Canyon

Breakdown: Hough, a Desert Pines graduate and former UNLV football player, took over as head coach of Mater East midway through last season in the Knights’ first season in 4A. Now, Mater East returns 20 players and brings in a handful of new players and will look to challenge Sloan Canyon atop the 4A Southern Region. Mater East brings back QB James Monaghan IV, who threw 37 TDs, and WR Justin McCullah (1,116 receiving yards and 13 TDs). Newcomers to the Knights include three-star TE/DE Michael Taylor, three-star CB Demichael Burks (BYU commit) and OL Phoenix Pollard (a UNLV commit).

Sloan Canyon Pirates

Coach: Nate Oishi (17-5, entering third season)

2025 record: 12-1

Playoffs: Lost in 4A state championship game to McQueen

Breakdown: After a breakout 2025 season, Sloan Canyon returns 39 players and will be the favorite in the new-look 4A. The Pirates return most of their production on offense, with QB Cade Hoshino, WR Brandon Quaglio and RB Jermaine Wilson and four returners on the offensive line for their balanced attack. On defense, Oishi said senior Tyson Kame’e Sawyer-Mahoe will lead the linebacking core, and seniors Kahiau Kipapa and Arie McQuaig IV will star on an experienced secondary. Sophomore running back Braylon Rayford (12 Division I offers) is among the newcomers for the Pirates who can make an impact, along with WR Kaiden Hunn and OL Justice Kaina. Sloan Canyon has 15 players with college offers.

SLAM! Nevada Bulls

Coach: Eric Shufford (entering first season)

2025 record: 9-5

Playoffs: Lost in 4A Southern Region title game to Sloan Canyon

Breakdown: SLAM! Nevada is entering a new era after former 49ers kicker Mike Cofer retired after the end of the season. Shufford comes over from Mater East to lead the Bulls, who reached the region title game in its first season in 4A in 2025. Athletes Greg Cortez and Kaleb Ross are two of SLAM! Nevada’s top returners.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.