Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

high school football:

Legacy dominant through the air in victory over Sierra Vista

2016 High School Football

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Legacy High football team pose for a photo at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day July 20, 2016 at the South Point. They include, from left, Jamal Britt, A.J. Culpepper, and Marcellus McCoy.

The Legacy Longhorns have run over nearly every opponent they’ve faced this season on their way to a 7-2 record and a spot in the postseason.

Thursday night, the Longhorns flipped the script, beating Sierra Vista 53-21 behind the arm of quarterback Roberto Valenzuela.

“I’ve said it all along that we can throw the ball — it’s just that we haven’t had to,” said coach Johny Isola. “We showed tonight that if you force us to pass, you might not want to.”

Valenzuela threw only eight touchdowns during the regular season but completed 10-of-14 passes for 145 yards and two scores.

The Longhorns rested star running back Sam Turner, who was nursing an elbow injury, in the second half after he ran for 60 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.

“We can pull it out and make throws, which we have in spots throughout the season. With Sam being out, we picked more spots to throw it,” Isola said.

Legacy played well in every aspect, scoring twice on defense.

Amere Foster stripped Sierra Vista’s quarterback, picked up the fumble and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, and Lamondrel Edmond returned an interception 50 yards for another score.

“Our team is based on defense and the defense really took over in the first half,” Isola said. “The defense made a statement.”

The win is only Legacy’s second playoff win in school history.

“We talk about it since the beginning of the season that the goal for these kids was to make history,” Isola said. “They want to be one of the best teams that have played Legacy football.”

Next Friday the Longhorns face Arbor View in the 4A Sunset Regional Semifinal. The Aggies beat Legacy 55-21 on Oct. 20.

“They are a strong team,” Isola said. “We are going to have to play our A-game, and if we do, anything can happen.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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