Las Vegas Sun

Steve Silver / Photo Illustration

Palo Verde running back Chaz Thomas (left) and Las Vegas High running back Reggie Bullock, two of the Valley’s top rushers, will collide Saturday afternoon in the 4A state semifinals at Arbor View High School.

By Brett Okamoto, Steve Silver · November 28, 2008 · 5:50 PM

Team: Las Vegas Wildcats

How they got here:

By the skin of their teeth. Closer. By the skin of the skin of their teeth. The Wildcats trailed Del Sol by 14 midway through the fourth quarter of the Sunrise Regional final game last Saturday. They stepped up to the challenge by scoring 21 unanswered points in less than five minutes to knock off the Dragons, 35-28. Quarterback Emir Lopez and running back Reggie Bullock each had two rushing touchdowns in the comeback. So far no team has been able to come up with an answer to the Lopez-Bullock combination. Las Vegas has averaged 44 points per game in the playoffs, with a 52-26 win over Foothill and a 45-32 win over Green Valley. During that stretch, Lopez has passed for 679 yards, nine touchdowns and only one interception. Bullock has rushed for 230 yards, four touchdowns and added 154 receiving yards and two scores. The team has an overall record of 12-1 and has made a habit of claiming the top spot in the Northeast Division.

"There are definitely expectations on this football team, we know we're supposed to be playing at this time of the year," said coach Chris Faircloth. "Every season there is a lot at stake."

Keys to victory:

1. Rain kept the Wildcats indoors at times this week but that didn't mean they weren't working. The players soaked up hours of film and the whiteboard was filled with different schemes the team hopes will give them a chance to contain a very fast Palo Verde team. The Panthers have made scoring look easy with all the speed they bring to the field. If Las Vegas hopes to be the first to contain them, it may take a little creativity.

"We're searching for an answer to contain their speed, if that's even possible," Faircloth said. "We're going to throw multiple formations at them, but you can't junk everything you've been doing all season. It's going to be a tall task."

2. The Wildcats offensive line has to give Lopez time with the ball for him to put up the same numbers he has been. The speed Faircloth mentioned transfers over to the defense as well, meaning it may take a second longer for the Wildcats receivers to find openings in the Panthers secondary. If Lopez doesn't have enough time in the pocket for the play to develop, the Wildcats will be in trouble.

3. Stay in the game. If the Wildcats wait until the fourth quarter to get going again, count them out. A late offensive surge was enough to get them here - it won't be enough to keep them going.

Players to watch:

"I don't think it will be the highlight players that will get us a win," Faircloth said. "It will be all the other guys you don't hear about. That means the linebackers and the guys on the offensive line. If they don't play well, we don't move the ball."

It may be hard with electric players like Lopez and Bullock back there, but keep an eye on offensive lineman like Madison Hales, Dallin Van Buskirk and Greg Holotik. If they're not winning their battles, chances are the team isn't.

Team: Palo Verde Panthers

How they got here: The Panthers secured the top seed in the Sunset region by posting a perfect 10-0 regular season record. So far the home field advantage has paid off as Palo Verde has outscored opponents 106-42 in the playoffs. In the first round the Panthers knocked off Sierra Vista 21-7 thanks to a two-touchdown, 157-yard rushing performance by Chaz Thomas. Next Palo Verde dropped Cimarron-Memorial 35-21 with a potent passing assault as quarterback Kelly Zurowski completed five of seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Last weekend the Panthers destroyed arch-rival Bishop Gorman 50-14 as Torin Harris scored four touchdowns; three on the ground and one via an interception return.

"We just have to keep it going," Harris said. "We have two more games left and we're not done with our journey yet."

Keys to victory:

1. The Panthers need to arrive at Arbor View on Saturday healthy. Thomas has been limited in practice all week with a leg injury and senior linebacker Dave Castro will play with several lingering injuries.

2. Las Vegas High's offense might garner most of the attention, but their defense is very strong. In order to break through the Wildcats front, Palo Verde must continue to mix up their offensive scheme with Harris, Thomas and Sidney Hodge.

3. Most importantly, the Panthers must find a way to shut down the dynamic duo of running back Reggie Bullock and quarterback Emir Lopez. The Wildcats love to line up with four or five receivers then switch plays several times once the defense shows their formation. This can be frustrating and confusing for opponents, so the Panthers' defense will have their work cut out for them.

"I think it's a good match-up," said Palo Verde defensive coordinator Dave Castro. "We have equal speed, but they might be a little stronger than us. That gets our kids fired up when I say that, but it's the truth. I don't lie to them. I tell them they will be stronger because we have to play our best ball to win."

Players to watch:

Harris is USC-bound for a reason; he is one of the most exciting players in the Valley. He must have another huge day both on offense and defense for the Panthers to advance to the state championship. The Panthers' backfield of Thomas, Hodge, and Tyrone Blake must also wear down the Wildcats' defense and control time of possession with a solid rushing attack.