Las Vegas turnaround started with a return to a familiar defense

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004 | 11:27 a.m.

It was late October, and the Las Vegas Wildcats had just given up 28 points to Desert Pines, a team that had been struggling offensively all year.

The Desert Pines game ended a stretch of five games when the Wildcats had gone 3-2, and given up 115 points. Less than a year after being the runner-up in the state championship, Vegas' season looked like it was starting to fall apart.

Chris Faircloth, Vegas' first-year head coach who replaced the widely respected and successful Kris Cinkovich, had installed some new defensive plans he'd seen earlier in the year.

But the defense was confused, and with the Northeast Division title on the line on October 28 against Valley, Faircloth realized it was time for a change.

"We simplified ourselves a lot is what we did," Faircloth said. "We had about every scheme under the sun working... we went back to what we've done for a very long time. Our kids responded well to it. We can just line them up and tell them what we'd like them to do instead of having to wonder where they're going to go next."

The result was a Vegas defense that has been simply stellar since the change. Not only did the Wildcats win that season finale against Valley, they held the Vikings to a field goal and just 61 rushing yards. The next week in a Sunrise Region quarterfinal, Vegas held Green Valley to a touchdown. In last week's regional semifinal, Silverado's offense mustered just 20 points, not scoring again after returning the second half kickoff for a touchdown.

The real turning point, say the Wildcats players, was Vegas' 21-14 loss to Eldorado on Oct. 8. It was the team's second consecutive home loss, and with the Sundevils streaking, it looked as though the loss had ended Las Vegas' hope at a division title.

"It kicked in after that Eldorado game," linebacker Dante Fielder said. "We'd never lost two here in like, the last three years. We knew we had to make some changes, and it turned out for the better."

The defense, particularly of late, has been overshadowed by the offensive numbers, particularly Eric Jordan's soaring rushing numbers. The offensive firepower gave Faircloth some breathing room at the beginning of the season to explore defensively, but after the two losses, the tinkering was done.

"We always know our offense could keep us in the game," he said. "Eric Jordan's a potential touchdown every time he touches the ball. Our kids know that. It definitely lets you relax now knowing that you don't have to win every game 7-0."

Defensive lineman Mark Taylor said there are other reasons why he and his teammates are forgotten.

"We've always been underestimated, especially because of our size," Taylors aid. "Even last year, just because of our size."

Now that the defensive adjustments have been made, the challenge is keeping the team pumped for its sixth consecutive region championship game, particularly against the same Valley team Las Vegas defeated fairly soundly just 19 days ago. Since the Southern Region split into the Sunrise and Sunset regions in 2000, Las Vegas has played in every Sunrise final.

"It definitely is a problem," Faircloth said. "Two years ago we played Desert Pines that last game of the regular season, and they came back and just worked us in the Sunrise Region championship game three weeks later. Against Foothill back in 2001, we beat them soundly the last game of the regular season and they almost ran us off the field that night and fortunately we came back at the end."

Fairlcoth is wary of that happening again, particularly against a Valley team that thrives on winning respect.

"Whether we like to say it or not, it definitely breeds some complacency when you have beaten somebody," Faircloth said. "Once they've beaten somebody, you're not sure they take it as seriously than if they haven't. If we do that, it could be an ugly Friday night for us."

Defensive back Jashaad Gaines said he's watching Valley's running game as a key.

"We've got to stop the run," he said. "We made some changes since the Eldorado game, and it's worked out for us."

While Valley's running game has been potent, Faircloth was hesitant to pigeonhole the Vikings as a ground team. In fact, he took the opposite approach, saying the Vikings' biggest threat is their passing game.

"It's like Russian roulette with them," he said. "We've watched a ton of film on them over the weeks. They have very good skills kids, a very good quarterback, he's very accurate and he throws well under pressure. He's got four or five kids he can throw to that can score a touchdown -- every time they drop back or roll out, you've just got to hold your breath and hopefully they don't go big on you."

Las Vegas Wildcats

RECORD: 10-2, 4-1 Northeast.

POINTS FOR: 411 (34.3 ppg).

POINTS AGAINST: 199 (16.6).

HEAD COACH: Chris Faircloth

Playoff leaders

Passing: O'Ryan Bradley (14-for-25, 202 yards)

Receiving: Christian Vidal (7 receptions, 127 yards)

Rushing: Eric Jordan (46 carries, 310 yds)

Rank reflects opponent's standing in state poll week of game. Record reflects team's final regular season record.

QF -- Region quarterfinal. SF -- Region semifinal.