Mater East and Sloan Canyon clash for 4A region crown Friday

No. 1 seeded Mater East hosts No. 2 Sloan Canyon at 6 p.m. Friday for the Class 4A Southern Region championship. The game takes place at Mater East, and the winner will advance to the 4A state title game. That final is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at McQueen High School in Reno.

The state championship opponent will be determined by the 4A Northern Region final, also played Friday, between Reno High and Galena. This matchup has been anticipated by Southern Nevada football fans throughout the season. Both teams are charter schools that have risen quickly to become top programs in the Las Vegas Valley.

The rivalry between the two schools runs deeper than just the field. Both head coaches, Tim Hough of Mater East and Nate Oishi of Sloan Canyon, are former UNLV football players. Oishi’s coaching staff includes several of his former Rebels teammates, while Hough coaches with players from his UNLV and Desert Pines High school days. This shared history adds a personal layer to the competition.

The path to this region final was marked by a recent administrative issue. Mater East originally defeated Sloan Canyon 27-19 on Sept. 17, holding off a late rally. However, on Oct. 12, Mater East was required to forfeit that win due to a roster error. Athletic administrator Shawn Dickson stated in an email that a cleared student-athlete was inadvertently omitted from the official game roster. He described the mistake as an administrative oversight.

Mater East head coach Tim Hough expressed frustration over the forfeit in a recent podcast interview. He said he was hurt by the decision, noting that Sloan Canyon had reported the incident to the NIAA. Hough, who played with Oishi at UNLV for three seasons, said the personal bond between the coaches made the situation difficult. Sloan Canyon coach Nate Oishi said the matter was between Mater East and the NIAA. He noted that he received an email from the Mater East administration explaining the error but had limited other information.

Sloan Canyon players are focused on using the rematch as motivation. Senior defensive back Arie McQuaig IV said the team is prepared and excited for the region championship. He noted that last year’s loss to McQueen in the 4A title game at Allegiant Stadium helped the team learn how to handle high-pressure situations this season. The Pirates were undefeated last year before falling to McQueen for the state title.

Oishi has encouraged his players to stay off social media during this week of buildup. He wants the team to focus on their internal brotherhood and daily improvement rather than outside opinions. Senior wide receiver Brandon Quaglio said the team is embracing the energy of the rivalry. The group is looking forward to the competitive challenge presented by Mater East.

Attempts to reach Hough for additional comment were unsuccessful. The game will determine which Southern Nevada team travels to Reno for the Nov. 21 state final. Both teams have strong records, with Mater East standing at 8-3 and Sloan Canyon at 8-2.