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The Las Vegas Sun hosted its annual high school football media day Wednesday at the South Point, bringing players and coaches from more than 30 local high schools for their annual kickoff to the season.
The setup resembled a college football conference media day — everything from player portraits and video interviews, and a remote broadcast from ESPN 1100-AM, whose “Mitch and Pritch” show aired live and interviewed coaches and players. Each of the four local television stations also reported from the event.
“There are a lot of kids who might never leave Las Vegas, so something like this is huge,” said Joe Delgado, the coach of Mojave High. “You see it on TV all the time with colleges and the NFL, so to be able to experience it is great.”
The media day has evolved over the years. Initially, it was held on the football field at Valley High and included still photos and a few interviews. It moved inside to the Sun’s offices the past four years before expanding this season to ballrooms at South Point, one of the event’s partners.
The Department of Public Safety, one of the Sun’s longtime sponsors of high school sports, hosted a booth to provide information on its Zero Teen Fatalities program. Wingstop, another sponsor, fed the group wings and fries.
“Spotlighting these talented players, their coaches and their parents is something we look forward to every year,” said Ric Anderson, managing editor of the Greenspun Media Group newsroom. “It’s one of the most visible ways that Greenspun Media Group demonstrates its commitment to our community, and we thank our sponsors for helping us make this year’s media day the most elaborate ever. To see the players light up when they sit down for a video interview or take part in a photo session while a live radio broadcast or TV interview takes place nearby is a thrill for all of us.”
The Sun also announced its preseason all-city team at the event, a who’s who of players in the valley. The team is highlighted by Bishop Gorman quarterback Tate Martell, who last year was the national sophomore of the year and considered the top quarterback recruiting prospect for the class of 2017. Other notables are Arbor View High senior lineman Keenen King, who has multiple Division I scholarships offers, and 2017 bluechip recruits Greg Rogers of Centennial and wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey of Bishop Gorman. Two UNLV commits, Julio Garcia II and Jaron Caldwell, also made the team.
“The support the Las Vegas Sun, and Ray Brewer and these guys like Case Keefer, what they do for high school football in this town is paramount,” said John Isola, the Legacy High coach. “I came from another state where the emphasis on high school football was pretty decent, and I’ve been here for 16 years now and it has grown.
“It’s great for the kids. It’s great for the exposure for the kids here,” he continued. “There are a lot of good players who come out of Las Vegas, and people are starting to realize that, and it’s no coincidence.”
GMG's stories, photos and video will appear on the Sun’s website next month. Throughout the season, the coverage includes a weekly podcast, game picks, recaps, profiles and more. Player of the Week recipients will receive $50 gift cards to Wingstop.
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