2012 Las Vegas Football Capsule
LAS VEGAS
Coach: James Thurman, second season (9-2)
2011 record: 9-2 (6-1 Northeast League)
Returning letterwinners: 21
Returning starters: Five offense, five defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 3-4
Top offensive players: WR Vince Castro (Sr.); WR Josh Mayfield (Sr.); RB Andrew Moreland (Jr.); K Jay Mattox (Sr.)
Top defensive players: LB Randy Ramirez (Jr.); LB Dee Wade (Sr.); LB Winston Vongmepunt (Sr.); DL Lahmad Evans (Sr.)
Top newcomers: QB Trevor Swenson (So.); LB Jacob Littlefield (So.)
Key losses: QB Hasaan Henderson, RB Farrell Victor, OL Tony Verdugo, DL Kaveo Walker
Outlook: No Sunrise Region team has had more success than Las Vegas. The Wildcats have advanced to the Sunrise title game in 10 of the past 12 seasons, winning seven titles.
But Las Vegas will need to reload quickly after losing several key players to graduation.
Henderson, who passed for 1,484 yards and 18 TDs and rushed for 656 yards and seven scores, is at UNR. All-state running back Victor, who rushed for 1,281 yards and 21 TDs, and caught 29 passes for 281 yards and four scores, also graduated.
Without those two, the Wildcats don’t have a proven go-to offensive player. Castro (30 catches, 429 yards) was a first team All-Northeast League receiver, and Mayfield is back after catching 22 passes for 302 yards.
Moreland had more success as a receiver than a running back last season, but probably will be leaned on in the running game.
On defense, All-Northeast performers Wade and Evans should anchor a unit that Thurman thinks is sound.
And with Mattox, who hit six field goals and had 47 touchbacks last season, the kicking game should be among the state’s best.
