Las Vegas defensive lineman Billy Winn had some big shoes to fill with Xavaier Cleveland's departure, but he has been up to the task in helping the Wildcats to a seventh straight Sunrise Regional title game. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.

Las Vegas High has become a football power by reloading rather than rebuilding.

But coach Chris Faircloth wasn't sure how he was going to replace defensive lineman Xavaier Cleveland, who helped key the team's state championship run last season.

It turns out Faircloth didn't have to look far.

Billy Winn, a returning starter on the defensive line, has picked up where Cleveland left off and has helped the Wildcats advance to the Sunrise Regional title game for the seventh consecutive season.

"Xavaier Cleveland was our horse on the line last year, and I didn't know if Billy was going to be able to fill those shoes," Faircloth said. "But as it's turned out, he's doing a real good job."

Cleveland was a first team all-state selection, finishing with 121 tackles, including 21 for loss and 14 sacks, in 15 games. Winn hasn't quite matched Cleveland's numbers, but he is definitely a force on the line for the Wildcats. In 12 games, Winn has 61 tackles, including seven for loss and 14 sacks. He has forced two fumbles and recovered two.

"The presence he brings to the field is huge because everybody is trying to figure out how to block him and they haven't quite figured it out yet," Faircloth said.

Winn said he knew the loss of Cleveland left a void, one he hoped to fill.

"I felt like I was trying to fill his shoes," Winn said. "I knew it was going to be a big responsibility, but I just took it one day at a time."

Rather than try to do more to make up for Cleveland's loss, Winn said he focused on taking care of his responsibilities.

"Last year, I played really selfish," Winn said. "I was trying to make all the plays and trying to do more than him, and it just wasn't working out. This year, I'm just trying to help my team out."

Winn has helped lead a defense that has allowed an average of just 14.4 points per game. The Wildcats have two shutouts and have allowed 21 or fewer points in each of their 10 wins.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound Winn is hard to miss on the field. But he's more than just a big body.

"He's a high-energy guy," Faircloth said. "I think he keeps us up when we're on the field as much as anybody out there. He's definitely a leader by example. We have to calm him down sometimes because he gets so hyped up. That's a huge presence for us out there, because we play real hard on defense and we need a high-energy guy to keep us going."

Winn's job is to keep pressure on the opposing offense, whether it's rushing the quarterback or taking on opposing offensive linemen to free up linebackers to make plays against the run.

"We've put a lot of pressure on him," Faircloth said. "He understands that he has to have control of the game; he has to have control of the line of scrimmage. He has to be the guy to make big plays."

Winn has shown the ability to play the pass and the run. His relentless pass rush was a big reason the Wildcats were able to defeat Canyon Springs twice this season. He had four sacks in each meeting, including last week's 55-21 victory in the Sunrise semifinals.

"He's played real big against Canyon Springs the last two times we faced them," Faircloth said. "He basically took over the line of scrimmage those two games and had their quarterback on the run those two games and helped us tremendously."

Winn showed the athleticism that has made him a college recruit, as he kept pace with speedy Canyon Springs quarterback Devonte Christopher.

"For a kid that size, he runs very, very well," Faircloth said. "He's very athletic. He's very good at anything he does around here -- basketball, wrestling -- he's a phenomenal athlete."

Winn has visited Arizona State and Texas Tech and has trips to Washington State and Oregon planned after the season. He's keeping his fifth visit open for now.

He said his athletic ability has attracted coaches, but acknowledges he has to take care of business in the classroom as well.

"My freshman year I messed around a lot," Winn said. "Now, I'm just trying to retake some classes that I messed up on my freshman year. So I'm just catching up to myself now."

Faircloth said whatever college signs Winn will be getting a player who loves the game.

"He really enjoys playing football," Faircloth said. "He has a lot of fun playing football, so it makes it a lot easier for us. We don't have to ride him all the time."