Members of the Mojave High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Luka Tuilaepa, Marquis Culpepper, Christopher Williams, Donte Hookfin and Zaquon Henderson.
Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 | 11:25 p.m.
Zaquon Henderson ran for two touchdowns, and Donte Hookfin had a rushing score and a three tackles for loss in Mojave's 27-12 home win over Del Sol on Friday night.
Henderson, also doubling at defensive end, also recorded a tackle for loss for the Rattlers, who are trying to bounce back after a rough end to last season.
Mojave won its first three games last season before losing four of its final five.
"They set the tone for us early on defense," coach Wes Pacheco said. "With Zaquon Henderson, we still give him the rock, and it starts and ends with him at running back for us."
Sophomore running back Miguel Reinares also finished shy of 100 yards on the ground.
The Rattlers were able to gash the Del Sol on offense because of how well their defense played. Mojave is returning eight starters from last season's defense, in addition to Henderson and Hookfin patrolling the edge on the defensive line.
Pacheco said colleges, like Colorado State, are looking at Henderson. But he doesn't want to play ironman football and give Henderson the ball 30 times a game. The rotation with Reinares and Hookfin could provide fresh legs for the star running back.
"We think he's an elite athlete," Pacheco said. "He's 6-3, 180, muscular, can run hard."
Mojave will have a bye next week before consecutive road games against Clark and Las Vegas, something Pacheco wanted to do to test his team early in the season.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
