Let the playoffs begin

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 | 3:14 p.m.

The football season for Henderson-area high schools used to end in the first week of November.

That is when the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals were played, when local teams from the Southeast Division would more than likely be eliminated after one game by the more athletic and physical teams from the Northeast Division.

Come Friday, however, that trend could change for the first time since Southern Nevada was split in two regions nine years ago.

Basic (7-3, 5-1) and Green Valley (7-3, 5-1) both host quarterfinal games against teams who have a combined nine wins, while Del Sol (8-2, 5-1) travels to Rancho (5-5, 4-2) to face a squad it has already beaten this fall.

That could equal revenge for an area not associated with memorable postseason runs. Basic's 1960 squad captured Henderson's lone state title, while Green Valley lost in the title game in 1994.

"We're (Henderson schools) starting to catch up to those teams," said Foothill coach Marty Redmond, who has coached in Henderson since Foothill opened in 1999. "In those first few years, (the Northeast) would sweep us or win three of four games in that first round."

Basic, fresh off its Henderson Bowl victory against Green Valley Oct. 30, is the division's No. 1 seed and will host Valley. Green Valley is seeded No. 2 and hosts Desert Pines (4-5, 4-2).

Del Sol, seeded third, has lost to perennial regional power Las Vegas High in the title game the past two years. Del Sol advancing to the finals, which means winning two playoff games, gives other teams in the Southeast hope they can compete.

Las Vegas has won five straight regional titles, also capturing the state championship in three of the last seven seasons.

"Las Vegas is the cream of the crop. They are who you shoot for right now," Green Valley coach Matt Gerber said. "That is where every team in the Southeast wants to be."

Foothill (4-6, 2-4) is the Southeast's No. 4 seed and will get the first crack at dethroning host Las Vegas (9-1, 6-0). Las Vegas is led by tailback Reggie Bullock, who has rushed for 1,186 yards and 15 touchdowns.

"If we can play well, we can beat anybody," Redmond said about his Falcons. "It's going to have to be a total team effort. Everybody will have to rally to the ball to tackle Bullock."

Del Sol escaped with a 41-39 victory against Rancho Sept. 19, and coach Preston Goroff said his team will have to do a better job of stopping Rancho quarterback James Cammack. Cammack completed 26 of 34 passes for 384 yards and four touchdown in the first contest.

"We are going to have to play good in coverage and get after the quarterback," Goroff said. "He's a guy who can hurt you with his arm and his legs."

Valley, who went 2-4 in the Northeast, also has a dangerous dual threat quarterback in senior Kerwyn Williams. Williams rushed 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns this year and provides a challenge for a Basic squad which lacks athletes.

"(Williams) is just very elusive and has tremendous speed," Basic coach Jeff Cahill said. "He's so fast that he just pulls away from everyone."

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].