prep football preview:

Foothill eyes return to top of league

Sam Morris

Foothill football player Matt Westover Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Foothill used to be the team to beat in the Henderson-based Southeast Division.

The Falcons won four league titles from 2001 to 2005 and advanced to the 2001 state semifinals in being mentioned alongside the likes of Las Vegas and Palo Verde highs as Southern Nevada’s top programs.

But after a few down seasons, the Falcons enter this fall looking to regain its status as Henderson’s team to beat.

“We have high expectations. We want to be one of the top teams in the conference,” said Foothill coach Marty Redmond, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the program and has been on staff since the school opened in 1999.

“We have the right group to do that. The kids were real dedicated over the summer. They are a good group of kids who like to work together.”

Foothill returns seven starters on defense and six on offense from a team that reached the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals last year.

The Falcons’ strength will be its team speed, which is something that could separate them from opponents in a league that traditionally lacks athleticism.

“We are more athletic than in years past,” Redmond said. “We are faster in all of our skilled positions. We are going to try to get the ball to those guys in space and let them make plays.”

Foothill’s offense will be led by junior running back Connor Afoa, who played most of 2008 at wide receiver but showed potential running the ball late in the season. He’ll run behind veteran linemen Matt Westover and Chris Waitkus.

Defensively, linebackers Ryan Call, Keegan Buck and Dillon Armstrong each saw significant action last year and will be counted on to lead the way.

Foothill opens Aug. 28 against visiting Bonanza and jumps into Southeast Division play against Del Sol on Sept. 25.

“Week in and week out, every week seems like it a rivalry game,” Redmond said. “You have to show up ready to play.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.

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