Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Foothill holds off Desert Pines, back in regional semifinals

Prep Sports Now

Playoff breakdowns and upset picks

Las Vegas Sun reporters Case Keefer and Ray Brewer break down this week's high school football playoff games, including their picks for potential upsets.

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The Foothill High football team Friday advanced to the Sunrise Regional semifinals for the second straight year.

Kyle Keplinger had five touchdowns to lead the No. 2 seeded Falcons to a hard-fought 35-26 victory against visiting Desert Pines in the first round of the eight-team regional.

Foothill led from start to finish, but Desert Pines had the ball in the fourth quarter only trailing 28-26.

“They played us tough. Their kids played their butts off,” Foothill coach Marty Redmond said.

Keplinger scored three rushing touchdowns, one receiving and one on a kickoff in a career night for the junior.

“He has deceptive speed,” Redmond said. “He doesn’t look real fast, but in the open field he can make people miss.”

Foothill advances to playLas Vegas High in the semifinals. It upset Las Vegas last year in the first round — arguably the biggest playoff upset in the last decade because Las Vegas was the six-time defending regional champions.

“We have to contain their speed and do a good job of tackling,” Redmond said. “If you miss a tackle against those guys, they will score.”

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