Battle Born Preps

Week 9 is where Northern Nevada starts separating contenders from pretenders. McQueen vs. Damonte Ranch. Fallon vs. Elko. Galena at Carson. The playoff picture is finally getting real, and this solo edition of the Battle Born Preps Podcast breaks down the matchups that could decide who owns the top of Northern Nevada football.Michael Reeves goes deep on the biggest games across 3A, 4A, and 5A, including why Fallon still looks like the standard in 3A, why Reno and Galena are better than their records suggest, and why McQueen at Damonte Ranch could be the most revealing game of the season so far.

Reeves also gives his full read on Nevada's trip to North Dakota State, plus the week's biggest college football showdowns and NFL storylines, including the 49ers, Bears, Broncos, and Seahawks.One especially meaningful moment: Reeves shares a powerful community note about Damonte Ranch's snack bar proceeds supporting the Cowell family after Connor Cowell's tragic injury, underscoring how much this football community shows up for its own. Essential listening if you care about Northern Nevada football, want the clearest Week 9 playoff picture, or need to know which teams are truly built for the postseason run.

Week 7 is loaded with possible shakeups, and one upset could change everything.

Michael Reeves and Brady Raggio break down the biggest Nevada high school football matchups, argue over who belongs in the top five, and spotlight the games that could reshape the race in 5A, 4A, and 3A.The conversation starts with a loaded 5A slate, where McQueen’s statement win over Bishop Manogue has suddenly changed the conversation at the top. Can Spanish Springs keep building momentum against a surging Damonte Ranch? Is Reed in danger of getting caught in a letdown spot after McQueen’s breakthrough? And could Bishop Manogue and Douglas turn into the kind of tight, fourth-quarter battle that decides more than just one Friday night?You’ll also hear the case for why Reno and Galena are separating themselves in 4A, why Churchill County still looks like the team to beat in 3A, and why Truckee at Elko may be the most important matchup on the board. Michael and Brady also react to the week’s biggest storylines around the Nevada Wolf Pack, including the Air Force overtime loss, Jeff Choate’s biggest fixes, and what a bye week means before a brutal stretch.Then the conversation widens to the national picture, with reactions to Alabama-Mississippi State, Ohio State-Iowa, Miami-Clemson, Texas Tech-Colorado, and a USC game that sparks a bigger discussion about quarterback protection, sideline etiquette, and what crosses the line after a brutal hit.If you want sharp prep football analysis, top-five debate, upset picks, and a fast-moving look at the biggest games in Nevada and beyond, this one has plenty to keep you locked in. Featured speakers:

• Michael Reeves host of the Battleborn Preps Podcast, steering the week to week Nevada high school football recap and top-five conversation.
• Brady Raggio co-host and analyst, offering game picks, team evaluations, and the week’s upset call.

Douglas Tigers head coach Kyle Mays joins the Battle Born Preps Podcast to discuss Douglas’s close losses, the mental execution and physical football needed to turn the season around, and the team’s proud tradition. Mays highlights key players on both sides of the ball and previews the Tigers crucial league matchup with Bishop Manogue, including the challenge of containing a powerful offensive line and explosive playmakers. It’s a conversation about resilience, team standards, and what it will take for Douglas to control the line of scrimmage and keep its playoff hopes moving forward.

Bishop Manogue head coach Ernie Howren joins Michael Reeves to discuss the Miners’ difficult 1-5 start, staying committed to their process, and preparing for a physical matchup against Douglas. Howren reflects on the players stepping up, the importance of the offensive line and run game, and what it will take to put together four consistent quarters of football.

Lynn Ault is more than the voice behind the mic, he’s a high school sports insider who knows the players, coaches, campuses, and storylines that matter. In this bonus Battle Born Preps episode, Michael Reeves gets to know Lynn’s journey from coaching and teaching to announcing at Damonte Ranch, and explores how his work with young people across Northern Nevada informs his sports commentary. They discuss why Lynn puts student-athletes first, the latest high school football storylines and standout players, and his takes on college football, the Broncos, and the upcoming Niners matchup.

The playoff picture is starting to take shape across Northern Nevada. Michael Reeves and Brady Raggio break down the biggest Week 6 high school matchups, including Spanish Springs–Reed, McQueen–Bishop Manogue, and Reno–Galena, share their latest team rankings, and look ahead to Nevada’s game against Air Force and a packed weekend of college and NFL football. It works by pairing specific matchups with bold predictions, giving fans a clear reason to tune in before kickoff.Want me to generate show notes next?

Reed is turning the corner at exactly the right time and Friday's rivalry test could reveal how far this group has really come. After five weeks of close calls, Reed finally flashed the version of itself it has been building toward. Coach Garrett Hughes breaks down why the 49-7 win over Carson felt like a breakthrough, why this team has learned more from adversity than from easy victories, and why league play against Spanish Springs suddenly feels like a whole new season.Host Michael Reeves sits down with Hughes to unpack the growth of quarterback Peyton Smith, the emergence of freshman running back Delaney Knowles, and how Jesse Douglas has become a game-changing weapon while the rest of the receiving room starts to make opponents pay for focusing too heavily on one star. They also get into the offensive line settling into its best rhythm, the defensive identity built around Oscar Cezares, and the under the radar players who are making Reed tougher every week. You'll hear Hughes explain what has changed since the season-opening one-point loss, how the team is handling consistency, and why this matchup with Spanish Springs always delivers one of the best atmospheres and most physical games in high school football. He also shares what has to happen for Reed to keep climbing, including the details that matter most when two familiar programs know each other as well as these two do. Perfect for anyone who loves Nevada high school football, rivalry week energy, and behind-the-scenes insight into a team that may be peaking at just the right moment.

Northern Nevada’s Race Is Wide Open. Nevada high school football is wide open, and Week 5 could redraw the whole map. Michael Reeves and Lynn Ault break down the biggest games, injuries, rankings, and storylines across Northern Nevada from Damonte Ranch’s unbeaten run and McQueen’s winning streak to Bishop Manogue’s first win and the pressure building on Reno, Spanish Springs, Reed, and more. They also preview the week’s key matchups, debate their top five rankings, discuss the 3A race, check in on Nevada football, and share college and NFL predictions.

Reno Huskies head coach CJ Wintch discusses his team’s physical identity, emerging depth, sophomore quarterback Trevor Martinelli, all purpose standout Jackson Matthews, and the keys to defeating a dangerous Spanish Springs team. He explains why Reno must play with relentless energy for all four quarters as league play approaches.

Coach Rob Hummel joins Michael Reeves to discuss Spanish Springs football’s uneven start, key injuries, developing players, and the team’s search for its own identity after last season’s championship run. They also preview the upcoming matchup with Reno and examine what the Cougars must improve to turn their potential into results.