Liberty TE Jefferson makes good on opportunity

Noah Jefferson didn’t need to beg for the football. Liberty coach Rich Muraco already knew the junior tight end was being under utilized.

“In the first few games of the year, we weren’t able to get Noah the ball as much as we wanted to,” Muraco said. “As you evaluate your season and how things are going and your game plans, we realized we need to do a better job of getting him the ball and get him more involved in the passing game.”

After catching only five passes in the first four games, the 6-foot-6-inch, 265-pound Jefferson had a breakout game in Friday’s 45-27 victory over Coronado with five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, including a 39-yard catch-and-run that saw him drag multiple defenders an extra 10 to 15 yards.

“I knew they were going to get it to me; I just had to keep being patient,” Jefferson said. “The defense they played in with the safeties up, that game gave me a chance to show my athleticism.”

Jefferson, who transferred from Desert Oasis, comes from a football family. His father, William, was an offensive lineman for two seasons with the Cleveland Browns and also played in the Canadian Football League. His older brother, Cameron, is a starting offensive lineman for UNLV.

“It’s more motivation for me to be better than they were,” Noah Jefferson said.

Jefferson also is a talented basketball player, but his future appears to be either at tight end, defensive line or possibly offensive tackle. UNLV was scouting at Friday’s game, and Jefferson said he already is hearing from schools in the Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences, along with Nebraska and Notre Dame.

“He’s a force in the run game, but he presents matchup problems for a lot of teams,” Muraco said. “That was our focus last week: take advantage of his size and ability. And that’s kind of what we’re planning on doing the rest of the year.”

■ RAMOS RECOVERING — Las Vegas High football coach James Thurman said junior offensive lineman Adrian Ramos underwent surgery Tuesday after he suffered a dislocated ankle during Friday’s 36-22 loss to Arbor View.

Ramos was injured late in the first quarter when the Wildcats went for it on fourth-and-2 after a running-into-the-kicker penalty against Arbor View. The game was delayed for approximately 25 minutes as paramedics were called onto the field.

“Any time you lose a starter, it hurts,” Thurman said. “He’ll get back as soon as he can on the sideline this year. He’s a junior, so hopefully he’ll be ready to go next year.”

■ LEWIS STEPS DOWN — Lake Mead volleyball coach Diana Lewis will end her 14-year career after the Eagles’ match Friday against Laughlin.

Lewis, who guided the Eagles to the 2008 Class 1A state title and two other state runner-up finishes, and her husband are being transferred to Auburn, Ala.

■ HALL OF FAME ADDS SIX — The Clark County High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame announced it will add six members this year at a banquet Dec. 3 at The Orleans. The class is headlined by former Western coach Rich Stevens, who led the Warriors to the 1996 Class 4A state championship.

Gov. Kenny Guinn, former Boulder City coach Gene Schultz and Dr. Andrew Welch will be inducted in the historical figure category, in addition to former Las Vegas High and Cimarron-Memorial principal Mike Edwards (administrator) and John Witkowski (official).

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.