Sparks High boys soccer will play Arbor View in a 5A state semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas.

The Railroaders (17-1-7 overall, 8-0-4 in league) earned their state berth despite a 1-0 double-overtime loss to Hug High School in the regional championship on Saturday, Oct. 31. It was Sparks' first defeat of the season, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.

Hug junior Manuel Chavez headed in the lone goal with one minute left in the second overtime on a rainy afternoon at Hug. Chavez had scored just one goal all season before that match.

The two teams had tied both regular-season meetings. Hug has now beaten Sparks in the regional title game three straight years.

Arbor View (14-8-3, 5-4-1) won the 5A-South regional by beating Palo Verde in a penalty-kick shootout. Hug (15-2-2, 9-1-2) faces Palo Verde (16-5-3, 8-1-1) at 6:45 p.m. Friday in the other semifinal.

No North team has won a 5A state title since moving to the division in 2021, Nevada Sports Net reported.

Sparks head coach Jose Espana is a 2006 Sparks High graduate who joined the coaching staff in 2011 and became head coach in 2016. Under his leadership, the program has qualified for state 12 times in 14 seasons, according to Nevada Sports Net. The Railroaders won 3A state titles in 2011 and 2016 before moving to the 5A five years ago. This is their third state trip in the large class.

The roster is young. Just six seniors suit up for Sparks this season.

Railroaders earn All-League honors

Several Sparks and Spanish Springs players landed on the High Desert League All-League teams, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.

Sparks' Yosgar Cruz was named Defensive Player of the Year. Miguel Lopez earned Goalkeeper of the Year. Isaiah Zamorano, Juan Cruz and Giovanni Espana also received All-League recognition.

Spanish Springs' Jayden Elliott was named Midfielder of the Year. Cougars Evyien Cordova and Jens Jensen also made the All-League teams.

Felsted wins regional cross country title

In cross country, Spanish Springs High School senior Taizley Felsted won the girls 5A regional individual championship with a time of 19 minutes, 7 seconds, Nevada Sports Net reported.

The 5A state cross country meet is set for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City.

If Sparks wins Friday's semifinal, the Railroaders would play for the 5A soccer championship at noon Saturday, Nov. 7, at Faith Lutheran.