Northeast title on line for Pioneers, Wildcats
Las Vegas High’s football team has yet to play a Northeast League game. But the league title probably will be decided Friday.
Eighth-ranked Las Vegas (4-1) plays host to No. 7 Canyon Springs (5-1, 1-0 Northeast) at 7 p.m. Friday, and the winner will have a decided advantage in the league standings.
“Without overlooking anybody, it’s basically kind of a playoff game in October,” Las Vegas coach James Thurman said.
The rest of the Northeast League — Eldorado, Rancho and Valley — has combined for a 2-15 record, so the winner between the Wildcats and Pioneers almost certainly will capture the league title. With it will come home-field advantage throughout the Sunrise Region playoffs.
“Coach has been preaching all week that this is like a playoff game to us,” Las Vegas senior defensive end Elijah Sem said. “We’re working really hard this week, because this could decide whether we get home-field advantage all through playoffs.”
Canyon Springs won only three games last season, but the Pioneers have excelled in close games this season. Canyon Springs has won three games by six points or fewer, including a 33-30 overtime win over No. 6 Basic.
“They’ve been in scraps over there,” Thurman said. “They’ve won close games, so they’re a little salty over there. We’ve been in a few scraps and found ways to win. Hopefully, we can do it again.”
Las Vegas looked as if it might be able to complete an undefeated regular season after a 24-21 win over Centennial on Sept. 16 improved the Wildcats to 3-0. But Shadow Ridge shocked Las Vegas 28-21 the next week, and the Wildcats needed a touchdown in the final minute last week to claim a 34-27 win over Chaparral.
“It’s been kind of like a roller coaster,” Sem said. “Everybody’s emotions have been up and down. The loss to Shadow Ridge, then the win against Chaparral was a really big one for us.”
Las Vegas got its running game going last week against Chaparral, rushing for a season-high 299 yards on 52 carries. Elijah Hicks, who has rushed for 602 yards and seven touchdowns, has topped 100 yards in three consecutive games.
“That’s the key to winning games anywhere; you stop the run, and you run the football,” Thurman said. “Whoever tackles better and doesn’t turn it over is going to win big games. That’s the key to any game, whether it’s this level, next level or any level.”
Senior center Bryan Acosta thinks the Las Vegas offensive line will have a major say in the outcome.
“We’ve just got to make sure we hold our blocks,” Acosta said. “We can’t let the quarterback take pressure. We’ve got to make those holes open for our running backs. They’re very explosive, and we can really do good things.”
Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at 702-380-4587 or dseiters@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DamonSeiters
