Las Vegas running back Jamal Lomax, left, and quarterback O'Ryan Bradley, right, congratulate Akeem Anifowoshe (5) following his 9-yard touchdown catch during the second quarter of the Wildcats' 6-0 victory over Palo Verde in their Class 4A state semifinal game. Photos by Ralph Fountain/Review-Journal Las Vegas quarterback O'Ryan Bradley runs for a first down during the second quarter of the Wildcats' 6-0 victory Saturday.

Las Vegas High football coach Chris Faircloth spent a week preparing for his team's Class 4A state semifinal game, but he only needed a few minutes Saturday to realize his game plan would have to be scrapped.

Though neither team expected the strong winds or biting cold weather, the Wildcats improvised just enough to gain a 6-0 home victory over defending state champion Palo Verde.

The win lifted Las Vegas into next week's state championship game against Hug, which defeated Cimarron-Memorial 17-14 on Saturday.

Jamal Lomax rushed 17 times for 52 yards to lead Las Vegas, which avenged last year's 21-7 loss to the Panthers in the state title game.

However, Faircloth said his defense deserved credit for the victory.

"The difference in the game was that we never broke down on defense," said Faircloth, whose squad forced a second-quarter fumble that led to the game's only touchdown. "And we got one on them."

That one opportunity was all the Wildcats (13-1) needed. The Panthers (7-6) fumbled a second-down snap and Las Vegas linebacker Anthony Jones pounced on the ball at the Palo Verde 39-yard line.

Lomax followed with a 30-yard run, and O'Ryan Bradley's 9-yard pass to Akeem Anifowoshe made it 6-0 with 10:05 left in the first half.

Palo Verde, meanwhile, squandered several opportunities, including a 14-play drive that fizzled at the Wildcats' 35-yard line just before halftime.

"We had our chances," Panthers coach Darwin Rost said. "But Vegas is a good program and they find a way to win."

Even so, Palo Verde's defense did its part in keeping the score close. Las Vegas was held to 101 yards on the night and just 25 yards in the second half.

Faircloth said the wind was a factor, noting that his passing game was adversely affected by the weather.

"We wanted to throw the ball a little more," said Faircloth, who usually gets big yardage from Lomax. "If the defense doesn't have to respect the pass, they're going to have more success stopping the run."

But the Panthers' offense had the same problem and was unable to convert again in the fourth quarter. A 12-play, 55-yard drive died on the Wildcats' 25 with 10:11 left.

Matt Edwards had 22 carries for 89 yards to lead Palo Verde, and teammate Apollo Tillman collected 36 yards on eight carries.

Eddie Fountain and Colin Pretlow sparked the Las Vegas defense with seven tackles each, while Bradley helped the offense with 30 yards on eight carries.

The Wildcats will travel to Reno to play Hug for the state championship at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at UNR's Mackay Stadium.

Faircloth said he plans to get to work on a new game plan.

"(Hug is) big and physical," said Faircloth, whose squad has won 13 consecutive games. "If you can beat Cimarron, you're doing some good things. We're going to need the same kind of effort we showed tonight, if not more."