Sophomore duo hopes to lead Las Vegas to state championship

By Steve Silver

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 | 1 a.m.

A football team rarely improves when it graduates its star quarterback and running back.

But Las Vegas High might prove an exception this season.

With standout quarterback Emir Lopez and running back Reggie Bullock heading to college, the Wildcats turned to sophomore sensations Hasaan Henderson and Farrell Victor to lead Las Vegas' perennial powerhouse backfield.

The youth movement did not disappoint in the Wildcats' 48-21 opening week victory over Douglas.

In his first varsity start, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Henderson completed 24-of-32 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns.

His classmate, Victor, rushed for 91 yards on 12 carries while hauling in nine passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

"Considering the circumstances I think they are both pretty grounded," said Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth. "As freshmen they were pretty big headed, but I think we've beat them down mentally and got them grounded. Right now we are looking for consistency. One good week isn't enough."

Henderson and Victor, though, do not intend to make their breakout performances a one-time deal as they prepare to host Snow Canyon (Utah) on Friday night.

As freshmen, Henderson and Victor watched as the Wildcats crumbled against Palo Verde 42-21 in the state semifinal. Even though they were not major contributors to that squad, just witnessing that loss last November continues to motivate the young duo.

"I think we are more talented this year than last year and we are more bought into the program," Henderson said. "Last year some guys weren't practicing hard, but this team works hard all the time. We aren't satisfied with the regional titles. We want State."

Leading the Wildcats to that coveted state championship is certainly an attainable goal for the young quarterback.

In addition to Victor's inherent knack for catching balls out of the backfield, Henderson also has a deep and talented receiving corps in Saeveon Butler, Marquan Major, Maotoi Pearson and Cameron Rogers.

"We probably have the best receiving corps in the city," Henderson said. "They know how to work and go up and get the ball. So I just have to put the ball in the right spot and I know they will take care of the rest. They make me look good… and Farrell is a phenomenal athlete. Just give him the ball and he'll make something good happen."

Despite possessing two of the top offensive weapons in the league, Faircloth is not starting to celebrate.

The veteran coach knows his squad still has plenty of tough tests before the playoffs, including a Sunrise Regional championship rematch with Del Sol on Sept. 17 and a showdown with Desert Pines prior to the season finale "Bone Game" against Rancho.

"From a talent standpoint, (Henderson) and (Victor) have it, but we'll see if their maturity is the same as their talent," Faircloth said. "This is a very hard working team. The last few years we had too many problems off the football field that were always distractions. Right now I don't think we have those… Our focus in on W's and L's though, not stats. We are definitely a week-to-week outfit."

Even with Faircloth's expected hesitation, it is hard to deny that Wildcats have once again fielded a talented squad that will not have to leave the city to win a state championship at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"We're not working so hard in the weight room for nothing," Victor said. "We want to get that state championship."

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