Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

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Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Steve Silver break down last week's truly memorable high school football action and preview this Friday's upcoming games. They also discuss the latest NIAA realignment news.

Do not mess with the Las Vegas Wildcats when they are angry.

All week the Wildcats had to relive their narrow loss to Del Sol last Thursday and swallow the reality of breaking an 11-year, 30-game undefeated streak against Henderson teams.

That disappointment over last week's performance boiled over Friday night as Las Vegas unleashed its wrath on Valley Friday night with a 48-6 blowout.

"Our team was mad, real mad," said sophomore quarterback Hasaan Henderson, who threw for 272 yards and five touchdowns. "We came out hard and everyone was hungry to erase last week. When you're hungry you get a victory."

Indeed Las Vegas' offense feasted upon Valley's porous defense from the opening whistle.

The Wildcats needed just 1:12 and five plays after the opening kickoff to move the ball 53 yards for the first score of the night. Henderson found receiver Saeveon Butler for a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Las Vegas on top 6-0.

"We expected to come out and go right down the field, but we still have some dropped balls we need to work on," Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said. "We're getting better, but we're still not clicking… Obviously winning is better than losing. Winning kind of heals the wounds."

After a tight first quarter, Las Vegas exploded for 28 points in the second quarter including a one-yard rushing touchdown by Michael Glenn just five seconds into the quarter.

Already trailing 12-0, Valley made matters worse for themselves by losing a fumble on the ensuing possession.

One play after Las Vegas scooped up a Roland Hodge fumble, Henderson hit Butler for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The duo connected again on the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 20-0.

Valley lost three fumbles Friday and all three were instantly turned into touchdowns by Las Vegas.

"We hadn't turned the ball over like that much this year, so that is something we had taken pride in, but it broke down tonight," said Valley coach John Elwell. "All we can do is keep working at it and try to fix that problem."

With a comfortable 34-0 lead at halftime, Faircloth let Henderson lead one more drive to open the second half.

Nine plays and 40 yards later, Henderson launched a 21-yard touchdown pass to Marquan Major for a 41-0 lead.

Henderson finished the night 23-of-33 with 272 yards and five touchdowns.

"All of my receivers are good," Henderson said. "When they are open, if I can just get them the ball they will do the rest. They make me look good."

The Wildcats also picked up 145 yards on the ground while holding Valley to just 155 yards of total offense.

Valley, which dropped to 0-4, lit up the scoreboard just once as Wallace Dean scrambled 29 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings will continue to search for their first victory of the season next week against another 0-4 squad, Chaparral.

"We have to find a way to stay together and play for the love of the game," Elwell said. "We have five more conference games. We've come back in the past at Valley and made the playoffs, so I believe we can do that. We have to stay together and keep the morale up."

Las Vegas (3-1) can now rest during its off week before also facing Chaparral next at home on Oct. 9.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].

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