2025 Reed Raiders Season Preview

2025 Reed Raiders Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

We are just under two weeks away from the start of the high school football season in The Silver State and I could not be more excited. Over the next few weeks, I will be previewing many teams from our local area as well as a few other surprises, before getting into football season full swing on Aug. 14^th when the first games kick off. Without further ado here is Today’s team: Reed.

Reed Raiders

Head Coach: Garrett Hughes, sixth season at Reed (30-18 overall, 17-9 league in five seasons at Reed)

Previous Season Record: 8-3 overall, 4-1 league

Overview: Coming off one of the most successful seasons in recent program history, The Reed Raiders enter the 2025 campaign with momentum and high expectations. In 2024, the Raiders reached the regional championship game for the first time since 2017, signaling a return to form for a proud football tradition. Along the way, the Raiders notched two hard-fought victories over crosstown rival Spanish Springs Cougars – avenging two years of playoff heartbreak and adding extra juice to an already memorable season. Despite finishing with three losses, those defeats came by a combined 17 points, including two to the eventual state champions, Bishop Manogue Miners - proof that Reed belongs among the elite.

The Raiders offense will stick with the spread this season in an effort to create space. This offense proved explosive and balanced for The Raiders a year ago and returns five starters, including several key playmakers. Leading the way is senior running back Bronwyn Rios (1,597 yards of total offense on only 180 touches, including 23 TDs) who enters the season as one of the state’s most highly recruited players after committing to The University of Nevada. His combination of experience (entering his fourth season on Varsity), and coupled with his physical traits of power, speed, and vision make him a threat to score on any touch, like he did in last season’s regional championship game where he totaled 217 rushing yards and four touchdowns against the Bishop Manogue Miners. The offensive line is led by Senior Charlie Bloomfield and brings back two starters with valuable experience, while a new quarterback (Junior Dax Dayton) steps into a leadership role with high upside after he stepped in to lead the Raiders to a playoff win against Spanish Springs after their starter went down with an injury. Expect the unit to build on last year’s efficiency and explosiveness with a strong foundation in place.

Defensively, Reed will lean on multiple base schemes, allowing the Raiders to use their size and keep offenses guessing while providing flexibility depending on matchups and situations. The Raiders don’t blitz a ton and try to keep everything in front of them – while tackling efficiently. The unit returns four starters, including standout players at every level of the defense. On the line, Senior Raymond Maveni is a dominant force capable of wrecking opposing game plans with his strength and quickness. At linebacker, Senior Shaysan Rivero brings a physical edge and plays with a relentless motor, a motor that helped him contribute 81 tackles last season – including three tackles for loss and a sack. The secondary is anchored by Senior Julian Zarate, a rangy and instinctive safety who could emerge as one of the surprise breakout players in the region after totaling 12 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble in limited action last season. With a mix of returning talent and new blood, the defense has the tools to be even better than last year’s.

One often-overlooked advantage for The Raiders is their elite special teams play, led by Sophomore Kicker Max Fuentes. A true game-changer, Fuentes has the leg to flip field position, nail long field goals (he hit a long of 49 last season as a freshman), and was perfect on extra points last season (51/51). His reliability adds a valuable dimension to close games, and he’s widely regarded as one of the top specialists in the Northern 5A.

With a strong mix of returning veterans and rising talent, The Raiders enter the season not just hoping to repeat last year’s success but aiming to exceed it. The experience gained from a deep playoff run, the heartbreak of coming just short, and the confidence from beating top teams has created a sharpened edge within the locker room. Coach Hughes says this team has embraced “discipline as a key to their success this season.” He continued on to say, “Their three biggest strengths this season will be [the fact that they have] good experience in big games – they will be competitive and have toughness regardless of who their opponent is each week,” and they’re ready for it.

What sets this group apart isn’t just talent - it’s mentality. The program's offseason has been defined by discipline, chemistry, and competition – developing championship habits and focusing on the task at hand. Veteran leaders have bought into the team-first mentality, setting the tone during workouts and holding teammates accountable. Coaches consistently praise the accountability, discipline, effort, toughness, and love for the game this group shows every day.

In conclusion, I’d assume this year’s team has adopted the motto: FINISH - a reflection of their hunger to take that final step toward a league, regional and state championship. With a tough schedule ahead and a target in sight, Reed is focused, prepared, and battle-tested. The road won’t be easy, but after last season’s breakthrough, the bar has been raised - and this group looks more than capable of clearing it, they just have to finish.

Potential Projected Starters:

Offense

QB Dax Dayton, Senior: Dayton was not the starter at the beginning of last season, but he stepped up when called upon in the playoffs and led the Raiders to a win in their playoff game against Spanish Springs. He threw for 198 yards and Two TDs last season. Those numbers will be exceeded in the Raiders first few weeks this season.

RB Bronwyn Rios, Senior: A first team All Region selection last season, Rios rushed for 1,390 yards and 20 TDs while catching 17 balls for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He is verbally committed to The University of Nevada.

RB Shaysan Rivero, Senior: First team All Region as an athlete last season Rivero totaled 569 yards on only 47 touches on offense and special teams – that was good for a 12.1 yard per touch average. Not too bad for a kid that hangs his hat on the defensive side of the ball as well. He’ll break a few big ones this year – mark my words.

WR Jayden Purdum, Senior: Returning starter with big play potential. He had 19 catches for 347 yards and six touchdowns, scoring just under once per every three times he gets the rock. This kid is legit.

WR Sean McGuire, Senior: Returning starter with an increased role this season. Eight receptions for fifty-five yards and a tugg last year.

WR Jesse Douglas, Junior: New to the Raiders program, he has the potential for explosive plays.

TEs TBD

OT Hapa Maveni, Sophomore: Tons of potential, older brother is a wrecking ball on defense.

OG TBD

C Charlie Bloomfield, Senior: A three year starter, who is the leader of the Raiders offensive line and he was a First Team All Region selection last season.

OG TBD

OT TBD

Defense

DEs TBD

DT Raymond Maveni, Senior: First Team All Region. He has the potential to be dominant on every snap.

OLBs TBD

MLB Shaysan Rivero, Senior: First Team All Region Athlete last season. He totaled 81 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack last season.

MLB Oscar Casarez, Junior: A returning starter who has a great nose for the ball. He had 92 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season.

DBs TBD

Safety Julian Zarate, Senior: Returning starter who is very rangy. He totaled 12 tackles, one interception, three passes deflected and one forced fumble last season.

Safety TBD

Special Teams

Kicker Max Fuentes, Sophomore: Returning starter with tons of potential. He was 4/8 on FGs last season, including a long of 49 yards while also being perfect on PATs going 51/51.

Punter TBD

Long Snapper TBD

KR TBD

PR TBD

Season Schedule:

Aug. 29 at Twelve Bridges (Lincoln, Calif.)

Sep. 5 vs. McQueen

Sep. 12 at West Park (Roseville, Calif.)

Sep. 19 at Carson

Sep. 26 at Spanish Springs

Oct. 3 vs. Galena

Oct. 17 vs. Bishop Manogue

Oct. 24 at Damonte Ranch

Oct. 30 vs. Douglas

J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling - let him know via Twitter/X @J_RayDoc.