2013 Las Vegas Football Capsule

Head coach: James Thurman, third season (15-6)

2012 record: 6-4 (3-2 Northeast, third)

Returning lettermen: 26

Returning starters: Eight offense, eight defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: Even

Top offensive players: QB Trevor Swanson (Jr.); RB Andrew Moreland (Sr.); WR Aaron Zanin-Banks (Sr.); OL Carlos Flores (Sr.); OL Eduardo Guardado (Sr.); OL Mark Anthony Gacutan (Jr.)

Top defensive players: LB Jacob Littlefield (Jr.); LB Randy Ramirez (Sr.); LB Angel Perez (Sr.); LB Elias Miller (Jr.); DL Dakota Pikyavit (Sr.); DL Tristan Gordon (Sr.)

Top special teams players: KR Andrew Moreland (Sr.)

Top newcomers: WR Antinio Wingfield (Sr.); WR Kode Miwirgi (Sr.); RB/LB Elias Miller (Sr.)

Key losses: DL Lahmad Evans; WR Vince Castro; K Jay Mattox

Outlook: The Wildcats slipped to third in the Northeast last season, but return plenty of experience as they try to return to the top of the league.

Moreland is poised for a big season. The explosive back rushed for 1,211 yards and 13 TDs, and also caught 25 passes for 155 yards last season.

Expect Swenson to be improved with a year of experience guiding the team’s spread offense. He completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,786 yards and 14 TDs with 14 interceptions.

Las Vegas will need to replace leading receiver Josh Mayfield, who caught 60 balls for 686 yards and eight TDs. But Zanin-Banks appears ready to take over as Swenson’s No. 1 option. Zanin-Banks was second to Mayfield last season with 26 catches for 334 yards and a touchdown.

Littlefield leads what should be an outstanding linebacker corps. He was a second team all-state selection last season with 95 tackles and three sacks.

It won’t be easy, but Las Vegas has the talent to capture their 10th league title since 2001.