high school football:

Running game, defense carry Las Vegas to victory against Valley

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas running back Andrew Moreland leaps over Rancho defensive back Tuilealatasi Taoipu during their annual “Bone Game” Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Las Vegas won 45-0 for their 17th consecutive win in the series.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 | 11:02 p.m.

Prep Sports Now

Is the short week unfair for playoff teams?

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Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer are pumped up for all the high-stakes games going down Thursday night. But why can't they be played on Friday?

Las Vegas High’s Andrew Moreland rushed for 200 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries Thursday to lead the Wildcats past visiting Valley, 33-14.

Las Vegas (6-2 overall, 3-1 Northeast) rushed for 280 yards, including 51 yards and a touchdown on three carries from Elias Miller. Vince Castro scored on a 15-yard run on his lone carry.

Joshua Mayfield had five receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown, while senior Tevin Johnson caught one pass for a 4-yard touchdown — a nice reward on the school’s senior night for the backup wide out.

“We dropped some ball and had some miscues here and there, but we played good overall,” Las Vegas coach James Thurman said. “I really thought our defense stepped up and played well. They ran to the ball well.”

Next week, Las Vegas plays Canyon Springs for the No. 2 seed from the Northeast and a home playoff game. Last year, Las Vegas lost in overtime to Canyon Springs on a 2-point conversion by star running back Donnel Pumphrey.

Pumphrey, who is committed to San Diego State, is widely considered the league’s best player.

“He’s a special, special kid,” Thurman said. “You can’t stop him. You can only hope to contain him.”