Vandal football features experienced O-line, skill players

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The Eureka County High School football team qualified for state last season and played top seed out of the North, Mineral County, to a three-point game in the quarterfinals–at Mineral County. That was after falling to Mineral County 42-2 just a week earlier. 

The Vandals have a strong core returning this season, with six seniors (five starters), four juniors (two starters) and three sophomores, two of whom played significant minutes last year. Head coach Fred Minoletti also said he has three freshmen “with good potential.”

“We finished last season strong after a slow start, and with most of our starters returning, we hope to build on that momentum,” Minoletti said. “Offensively, we will be young at quarterback but experienced along the offensive line and at the skill positions. Defensively, we have experience across all positions.”

Dean Benson is the eldest player listed as a quarterback on the roster, and he’ll have plenty of weapons around him when he isn’t running the ball. Tight end Preston Auch returns, as do running backs Lian Allred and Gio Minoletti. They’ll run behind senior guards Trent Conley and Liam Sullivan.

Eureka plays its first game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at McDermitt. Minoletti expects Pahranagat Valley to be “a good early test” on Aug. 28 at ECHS. 

“We feel good about the season and are hopeful we can avoid the injury bug this year,” said Coach Minoletti.