Las Vegas witnessed an exhilarating day of high school football as eight teams took to the field at Allegiant Stadium on Tuesday for the state finals. The competitions determined the champions for the 1A, 3A, 4A, and 5A Division 1 classes, with four teams emerging as titleholders and making history for their programs.
In the highly anticipated 5A-D1 clash, the powerful Bishop Gorman team faced off against Arbor View. From the outset, Gorman showed their dominance, taking control early on and leading an impressive 48-0 at halftime. The game escalated in intensity, with tensions flaring even among the coaching staff. Ultimately, Gorman secured a resounding victory with a final score of 69-7. This win marks their fourth consecutive state title and solidifies their position as a powerhouse in the state, having now claimed 15 championships in the last 17 years.
Looking ahead, Gorman’s head coach, Brent Browner, expressed the team’s commitment to fostering healthy rivalries within the league: “We want to play here at state, we want to have good rivalries… we need it. The sport of football needs it.”
The 4A final featured a face-off between North Las Vegas schools as Mojave battled Canyon Springs. The Rattlers established their pace early in the game, with Antwan Hawkins scoring to give them the lead. Quarterback Mark Ames also made significant plays, finding Ja’Laun Miller for crucial receptions. At halftime, Mojave led 14-0 and maintained control throughout the game, ultimately winning 30-6. This victory constitutes a milestone for the school, marking their first-ever football state title. Coach Wes Pacheco spoke about the journey of the seniors, stating, “We validated our success with this game and what I thought about the most is all the hard work… we get that final prize and that’s what we work for right?”
Meanwhile, in the 3A championship, SLAM! Nevada made history by securing their first state title. After trailing by 10 points, they rallied to score 14 unanswered points against the back-to-back defending champion Truckee. This victory shattered Truckee’s impressive 34-game win streak. Coach Mike Cofer expressed the significance of the moment, saying, “If you don’t soak it in now, something’s wrong with you.” He further highlighted the challenges faced by his program, acknowledging the effort put forth by many.
Earlier in the day, Pahranagat Valley secured their victory in the 1A final, adding a remarkable 24th state title to their legacy. The championship games at Allegiant Stadium celebrated not only great football but also the passion and perseverance of the high school athletes involved.
