Week 11 roundup: Del Sol, Las Vegas renew rivalry in playoff opener

By Ray Brewer (contact), Case Keefer (contact)

Published Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 | 7 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.

It was the biggest win in the eight-year history of the Del Sol High football program.

The Dragons’ 33-28 regular season victory against perennial power Las Vegas High last year was more significant than what they accomplished later that fall — winning the Sunrise Region and taking second in state.

Las Vegas had beat Del Sol in the Sunrise finals the previous three years, including twice when Del Sol surrendered significant second-half leads. So, when Del Sol saw its three-touchdown first half lead last year get trimmed to less than a touchdown, the players couldn’t help thinking the worse.

But Del Sol stopped Las Vegas from scoring on the game’s final play to ignite a celebration three years in the making.

The schools will renew their rivalry Friday night in the Sunrise Regional quarterfinals.

Del Sol, which has played in the last four regional finals, has struggled this year and enters the playoffs as the last seed from the Southeast.

Las Vegas, which was upset in this same spot last year against Foothill to snap a streak of six straight regional crowns, has plenty to prove. The Northeast Division champions are again one of the favorites to win the region, but have feasted on a weak league schedule and could be prime for another upset.

Las Vegas has more proven players and is a team feared by most. However, Del Sol isn’t one of those teams, making this playoff game more exciting than a typical first-round postseason contest.

Other Sunrise playoff games included Silverado at Canyon Springs, Rancho at Liberty and Desert Pines at Foothill.

The playoffs will not begin until next week in the Sunset Region, but two games in the Northwest Division will surely feel like a postseason contest.

Arbor View and Palo Verde, the last two undefeated teams in the large-school classification, will play for the Northwest Division title. Legacy and Cheyenne will hook up in the other game of interest, with Legacy playing for the league’s last playoff spot.

If Legacy loses, Shadow Ridge would take the last spot. Shadow Ridge beat Faith Lutheran Thursday for its fourth straight win.

In the Southwest Division, defending state champion Bishop Gorman hosts Durango looking to clinch the league title. If Durango pulls off the upset, there would be a three-way tie for first between Desert Oasis, Durango and Gorman.

Check back all night. We’ll have stories from all of the games when the scores become final.

•Las Vegas avenges early exit from last year’s playoffs

•Cimarron closes season with win, but fails to make playoffs for first time in 16 years

•Cheyenne beats Legacy, helps Shadow Ridge claim final playoff berth

•Western tops Pahrump Valley in season finale

•Foothill holds off Desert Pines, back in regional semifinals

•Bonanza finishes the year with .500 record by beating Sierra Vista

•Spring Valley takes care of Clark to reach the playoffs

•Gorman beats Durango to capture Southwest crown

•Liberty runs past Rancho with full complement of weapons

•Canyon Springs advances in playoffs by taking down Silverado

•Palo Verde wins defensive battle against Arbor View