Palo Verde star running back talks about football, his future

Weaving in and out of players, dashing down the field, No. 4 scores again for Palo Verde High School.

Brandon Wright, a senior, is that guy, the star running back and the one who remixed Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" to "Black and Silver" with lyrics that fit the team.

Wright is going to play in one more game this year -- the "All World Gridiron Classic" on Friday at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. The game will feature many of the best high school senior football players in the country. Wright finished his senior season with 1,632 yards on 179 carries (9.1 yards per rush) and 25 touchdowns. He was the third-leading rusher in Southern Nevada.

Wright recently sat down with R-Jeneration to talk about this past season, his interests and his future.

Question: How do you feel about the past season?

Answer: I feel good. I'm proud of my team but I am a little disappointed. Overall, I'm really happy.

(The Panthers lost to eventual state champion Bishop Gorman, 28-10, last month in the Sunset Region championship at Palo Verde. The Panthers finished the season 12-1. Note: The game set a record as the largest paid crowd -- 4,102 -- to watch a high school football game in Southern Nevada.)

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the lyrics to the "Black and Silver" song?

A: Just my team. Everything we talked about in the song is real and true. It all came from how our team acts and other teams we have played.

Q: How did you feel about your role as varsity football captain this past season?

A: It was a new role for me. I liked being able to get everyone pumped up before the games.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?

A: The Cheyenne game, my junior year. I scored five touchdowns, had 220 rushing yards, and 70 returning yards. I got 1,000 yards in five games, which broke the school record.

Q: What are your immediate plans?

A: Working out with old teammates, college visits, getting ready for college and running track. I run the 100-meter dash, the 200, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay.

Q: During the season, did you have any pregame superstitions?

A: The whole team has to go eat at Mark Rich's New York Pizza. We did it the first game. We believed in bad luck so we feel like we had to go there before every game -- and it's really good. Also, I have to get at least 45 minutes of sleep. When I wake up, I am more focused than if I stay up the whole time.

Q: Why did you wear No. 4?

A: My "real" number is 2, but it was taken last year. I ended up getting 4 and I didn't wanna change my number since I had a good season wearing 4 last year.

Q: How many years have you been playing football?

A: Nine years, since I was 8.

Q: Besides football, what are your other interests?

A: Girls and playing video games -- "Call of Duty" and "Madden '11."

Q: If football does not work out, what are your other career goals?

A: A degree in engineering or criminal justice. I might like to become a detective.

Q: What college do you want to go to?

A: Cal (University of California, Berkeley), San Diego State, Washington, University of Nevada, Reno, and Hawaii.

Q: Who is your biggest role model?

A: My mom. She is everything a woman should be. She always took care of me, always takes care of me and has always been there for me no matter what I was going through. Also, Tupac Shakur, because he is a person (who didn't) change his beliefs.

Q: What is a typical Sunday like for you?

A: Chillin' with all my cousins and eating a big dinner. Also, it's my "Call of Duty" day.

Q: How many hours do you spend on Facebook?

A: I don't get on there a lot, maybe three hours a week.