Eureka football reloads following last year’s state title run

By Harper Wines

The reigning Nevada 1A State champions return after a perfect no-loss season last fall. With three shutouts and an average margin of victory of 31 points the Vandals couldn’t have asked for a better showing from their team. 

Maintaining last season’s success won’t be easy for Eureka. The Vandals lost seven players to graduation last spring including Anothony Minoletti, the team’s quarterback who led in touchdowns, tackles and rushing yards – being both an offensive and defensive asset that will surely be missed. Mason Johnson, who led the team in average receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, is another spot head coach Fred Minoletti will have to fill this season. 

Among the returning players filling those shoes is Jace Kniefel, a senior this year, who was just behind Minoletti in rushing yards and touchdowns last season. Kniefel will play alongside Aden Adams. Those two are the only returning seniors on Minoletti’s roster this fall. 

Having lost almost all of the team’s starters, underclassmen from last season are ready to get some playing time and prove themselves as worthy replacements. Younger team veterans include Joseph Minoletti and Donovan Mears, both juniors this season and eager for their opportunity to help the team reclaim its title. 

Following a no-loss season makes it difficult to predict who the tough competitors will be and what games the Vandals will need to prepare for. They will face a league of teams looking to dethrone them and put an end to their winning streak. 

Sitting at the top of the list of revenge seekers is Pahranagat Valley, the team they beat 34-32 in the state final last November. It was one of the closest-scoring games of the season. Pahranagat will be returning several more starters, including many seniors who were on the state championship team their sophomore season. 

The Pahranagat faceoff will come early in the Vandals season, being their second game on Aug. 23.

While their season will begin on Aug. 16 against Tonopah, league play won’t begin till the end of the month in a matchup against Wells (a team they shut out 42-0 last season) on Aug. 29. 

The Vandals’ first set of games will serve as a clear indicator of how they stack up both against this season’s competition and compare to last year’s state title-winning team.