Las Vegas tries for extra point

The quest for three straight championships is a three-peat.

Five in a row is sometimes considered "one for the thumb."

But what phrase exists for seven consecutive crowns?

Las Vegas High's football team hopes to find out this year, and it's not all the Wildcats want to do.

"We have expectations here. I don't think the coaching staff or the kids allow themselves to think they're going to be any less than they were the year before," said Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth, whose team is bidding for its seventh straight Sunrise Region title. "They understand they need to be better than we were."

That's easier said than done. The Wildcats were 12-2 overall and 6-0 in the Northeast League, but the season ended on a sour note with a 42-21 loss to Palo Verde in a state semifinal.

"I think there is pressure just because of what happened last year," said senior offensive lineman Dallin Van Buskirk. "We beat Del Sol (in the region final), which was great, but we didn't make it to (the) state (final), which was our goal. This year, we want to get to state."

It's hard not to consider the Wildcats a favorite to add the extra point, so to speak.

Despite losing leading quarterback Emir Lopez (2,743 yards, 28 touchdowns), top rusher Reggie Bullock (1,647 yards, 23 TDs) and top receiver Aaron Franklin (63 catches, 986 yards, eight TDs), the Wildcats return some talented offensive weapons.

Sophomore running back Farrell Victor returns after gaining 393 yards and scoring four TDs in limited duty as a freshman on varsity.

Also back are receivers Saveon Butler, a senior who caught 24 passes for 322 yards and seven TDs, and Marquan Major, a junior who hauled in 58 passes for 762 yards and five scores.

Major will probably miss Friday's season opener with a collarbone injury but could be ready for Las Vegas' second game.

"We're better in the skill positions," Faircloth said. "The strength of our team is the quality of our skill kids."

Faircloth also said the offensive and defensive lines are "farther along than we thought they'd be."

Defensively, the Wildcats hope to improve a bit after allowing more than 26 points per game last season.

"Everybody has been working hard, and we've done a good job, but we can do better," said senior defensive back Ronald McCullogh. "There are always areas we can work on. Everybody has to be on the same page and be willing to do what it takes to win."

Faircloth said he expects Canyon Springs and Desert Pines to contend for the Northeast crown and understands his team represents everyone else's biggest game of the year.

"Some good things can happen with this group as long as we all keep our eye on prize," he said.

The Wildcats' biggest competition for the region title might come from Silverado, which returns eight offensive and seven defensive starters and welcomes back quarterback Trent Tipton.

Tipton missed most of last season with an injured shoulder and watched the Skyhawks lose five of their last six to finish 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Southeast.

"It really hurt to watch the team and how it did," Tipton said. "I'm ready to turn it around and get back out there."

Also back for Silverado are senior running backs Terran Madu-Jules (458 yards, three TDs) and Dariouse Gravely (377 yards, three TDs).

"On both sides of the ball, we had a lot of underclassmen playing last year," Silverado coach Andy Ostolaza said. "Hopefully it translates into more wins this year."

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.