THE CASE FOR THE RAIDERS

It’s hard to argue with three in a row.

So, until someone proves otherwise, there’s no reason not to see Reed as the team to beat in Division I North.

With three straight regional titles in hand — and a 32-8 record over that span — the Raiders begin the 2014 season with three important questions in mind:

1. Can they adequately replace a boatload of lost talent?

2. Will a brutal early schedule be a blessing or be too much?

3. Is “four-peat” actually a word?

If Reed is to reach the top of the Division I North mountain again, it will be with a group of players taking advantage of their first significant opportunities to star. Most notably, senior quarterback Jackson Gilmore is ready to step into the key role in running the Raiders’ up-tempo attack after attempting 19 passes last season in a backup role, and junior Jorden Carter is a dangerous tailback who scored seven times on fewer than 70 rushing attempts.

The Raiders’ biggest strength, though, appears to come from the guys who don’t touch the ball. Both lines are solid, with a pair of Codys — Carr and DeHaan — leading the way on the offensive side. Both were all-league selections as juniors a year ago.

“I feel like, right now, the strength of our team is up front,” Reed coach Ernie Howren said. “It’s a great spot to be in. With so many inexperienced skill guys, it’s going to allow those guys the opportunity to get up to game speed.”

The Reed staff will challenge its players with one of the most ambitious schedules ever seen in Northern Nevada. The Raiders opened their season a week earlier than the rest of the region, playing Saturday in Las Vegas against Mountain Pointe, Ariz., that state’s defending large-school champion.

Reed’s other nonleague opponents are Clovis (Calif.) North on Saturday and Oak Ridge (Calif.) in mid-September. Those teams combined to go 23-5 last season, with each making deep playoff runs.

“We want to do whatever we can … to challenge ourselves,” Howren said. “And, more importantly, find out where we’re at and where we need to go.”

PLAYER I WANT TO SEE

Jackson Gilmore, QB, Senior

Gilmore is big (6-foot-4) and has the look of a classic dropback passer. But he’ll be asked to do much more than that in Reed’s aggressive offense, where everything filters through the quarterback.

KEY PLAYERS

Cody Carr, OL, Senior

In his third year at the top level, he’s a player the Raiders are counting on to win battles up front.

Cody DeHaan, OL, Senior

Like Carr, he was an all-league pick in 2013. He also plays on the defensive side.

Nick Gregg, DL, Junior

Howren said he’s been blown away by Gregg’s explosiveness off the ball and foot speed.

THE FILE ON REED

COACH: Ernie Howren

REGION/LEAGUE: Division I North/High Desert

STATE TITLES: None

ADDRESS: 1350 Baring Blvd., Sparks

2014 SCHEDULE

Aug. 23	vs. Mountain Pointe (Ariz.)^	7 p.m.
Aug. 30	vs. Clovis (Calif.) North^^	2 p.m.
Sept. 5	vs. Damonte Ranch	7 p.m.
Sept. 12	at Galena	7 p.m.
Sept. 19	at Oak Ridge (Calif.)	7 p.m.
Sept. 26	vs. Douglas	7 p.m.
Oct. 3	at Reno*	7 p.m.
Oct. 17	vs. North Valleys*	7 p.m.
Oct. 24	vs. Hug*	7 p.m.
Oct. 30	at McQueen*	7 p.m.
Nov. 7	at Spanish Springs*	7 p.m.

* denotes league game

^ at Las Vegas

^^ at Loomis, Calif.

Most Important Game: Oct. 3 at Reno. After a brutal opening stretch of nonleague games, the Raiders will get tested right away in their High Desert League opener. The Huskies pulled off a stunning win last year.

2013 RESULTS

Aug. 30	at Foothill (Calif.)	W, 38-28
Sept. 13	at Douglas	W, 48-28
Sept. 20	vs. Bishop Manogue	W, 53-7
Sept. 27	vs. Carson	W, 64-26
Oct. 4	vs. McQueen*	W, 35-17
Oct. 11	at Hug*	W, 41-6
Oct. 18	at North Valleys*	W, 59-40
Oct. 24	vs. Reno*	L, 29-27
Nov. 1	vs. Spanish Springs*	W, 63-28
Nov. 8	vs. Douglas^	W, 55-7
Nov. 15	vs. Galena^	W, 53-44
Nov. 22	vs. Carson^	W, 47-39
Nov. 30	vs. Liberty^+	W, 35-31
Dec. 7	vs. Bishop Gorman^++	L, 48-14

* denotes league game

^ denotes playoff game

+ at Bishop Manogue

++ at UNLV

Recap: Only a missed last-minute FG against Reno kept the Raiders from entering the Division I state championship game with an unbeaten record. The state semifinal against Liberty was moved to Manogue after the NIAA deemed Reed’s field unplayable.