Arbor View has one of the best offenses in the state and looks to challenge the strengths of Class 5A Division I Bishop Gorman and Liberty.
Legacy won the 5A Division III state title last season and will look to repeat after moving up to 5A Division II.
But what is just as important for both football programs is victory in the “Battle of the Bulls” showdown.
The rivalry between the teams will reignite Friday when Arbor View (1-0), ranked No. 3 in the Review-Journal’s Class 5A rankings, hosts No. 6 Legacy (1-1) at 6 p.m. The game was first played in 2006, the year Legacy opened.
“It’s always great to be part of a rivalry game, especially when the schools are only 15 minutes apart,” said new Arbor View coach Marlon Barnett. “A lot of the players know each other. My team and I know a few guys on their team. We’ll be playing against each other (on Friday).”
That’s not the only rivalry game Friday. Rancho hosts Las Vegas High in the 66th edition of “The Bone Game,” Nevada’s oldest high school football rivalry. Bonanza hosts Spring Valley in the “Banner Game.”
Although 5A is currently split into three divisions, eliminating the geographic divisions that led to so many rivalries, many long-standing rivalry games still exist.
“The energy on campus is high,” Bonanza coach Keith Jones said. “All the clubs are getting ready and the student body is ready to get out there. This is the only game of the year that we all prepare for, so everyone is excited. The players are excited, everything on campus is at its peak, which is a good thing.”
“Super fun environment”
Legacy coach Zach Monticelli said the rivalry with Arbor View is in “good shape” and he expects the game to always happen.
The Longhorns are trying to win “The Horns” trophy for the first time since 2013. Monticelli said the support of the North Las Vegas community around Legacy makes the rivalry special.
“It’s crazy how different the communities are at both schools,” Monticelli said. “The pride that both communities have makes it one of the most unique rivalries in town to me. It’s about community involvement and standing up for the people we live with and see every day. … Even though we’re not that far from Arbor View, it certainly feels like it.”
Las Vegas coach Jose Cerriteno won Sir Herkimer’s Bone twice as a player. Today, as he leads his alma mater, the game has a different meaning for him.
“As a player, you think you understand all the festivities and the pomp. You get a good sense of what it means when you go out there and see those big crowds,” Cerriteno said. “Now, as a coach, you’re nurturing that next group. You’re basically the janitor making sure the kids really do it the right way.”
Las Vegas has dominated “The Bone Game” recently, winning 26 straight games, but Cerriteno said that doesn’t change how important his team considers the game, which has been played since 1958.
“We have kids who raise money through our football program, and we have people who graduated years ago come up and say, ‘Keep the bone at home,’ and ask if we still have the bone and tell the kids their stories,” Cerriteno said. “You see how much it means to the community when people come up and say things like that.”
Spring Valley opened less than 10 minutes from Bonanza in 2004, sparking a rivalry between the schools. Although Spring Valley has dominated recently while Bonanza has been rebuilding, Jones said players are still excited about the game.
“Some former players came by (Tuesday) to talk to the guys,” Jones said. “… That rivalry, that competition in general, is something that bridges the gap between us and schools like Spring Valley. It makes the whole thing a super fun environment to be a part of.”
Hopes for a new direction
As part of the upcoming realignment, it may be possible to revive some rivalry games.
A football proposal from the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Association calls for combining all three divisions of 5A into one classification. The 20 5A Southern teams would be divided into four geographic divisions.
“If the (rivalry) games were division games, it would mean a lot more,” Jones said. “You want to win the rivalry, but really you’re playing for the playoff spot. That makes the whole situation even more exciting.”
Jones said the rivalries within Henderson — like between Basic and Green Valley in the Henderson Bowl and between Foothill and Basic in the Battle for Boulder Highway — are strong and make those communities “thrive.” He said meaningful games like this one can encourage participation.
While some rivalries are formed through playoff matchups – such as between Bishop Gorman and Liberty – Monticelli said re-structuring the game on a geographic basis could help not only rivalry games, but many high school programs as well.
“The whole family can come and support, there are more people in the stands, the kids feel more supported and there is more money going into the concession stands for the program so everyone is better off,” Monticelli said. “… There are so many reasons why a geographic realignment is the right way to go that I hope that decision is made.”
Contact Alex Wright at [email protected]. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
RIVALRY GAMES
Current high school football rivalry games in Southern Nevada:
“Banner Game”: Spring Valley vs. Bonanza
Result 2023: Spring Valley 37, Bonanza 6
Date 2024: Friday
“Battle for Boulder Highway”: Basic vs. Foothill
Result 2023: Basic 49, Foothill 32
Date 2024: October 10
“Battle of the Bulls”: Arbor View vs. Legacy
Result 2023: Arbor View 42, Legacy 18
Date 2024: Friday
“Bone Game”: Las Vegas High vs. Rancho
Result 2023: Las Vegas 44, Rancho 0
Date 2024: Friday
“Stollenspiel”: Chaparral vs. Eldorado
Result 2023: Chaparral 31, Eldorado 18
Date 2024: September 27
“Duel in the Desert”: Cheyenne vs. Cimarron Memorial
Result 2023: Cimarron-Memorial 18, Cheyenne 8
Date 2024: October 24
“Hammer game”: Virgin Valley against Moapa Valley
Result 2023: Moapa Valley 38, Virgin Valley 27
Date 2024: October 24
“Henderson Bowl”: Basic against Green Valley
Result 2023: Basic 19, Green Valley 17
Date 2024: September 6
“Railroad Rivalry”: Sierra Vista vs. Desert Oasis
Result 2023: Not played
Date 2024: September 6
