Las Vegas Capsule Preview

Coach: Chris Faircloth, fifth year (47-11)

2007 record: 9-5 (4-2 Northeast)

Returning starters: Four offense, six defense

Top players: QB Emir Lopez (Sr.); OL Greg Holotik (Sr.); OL Madison Hales (Sr.); RB Reggie Bullock (Sr.); OL Austin Woo (Jr.); DL Alanzi Langstaff (Sr.); DB Johnny Tagle (Sr.); DL Ray Langston (Sr.): OLB Jordan Hamilton (Sr.); DL Jordan Turner (Jr.)

Base offense: Spread

Base defense: 50

Outlook: The Wildcats have won the last five Sunrise Region titles, and there’s no reason to think they won’t contend again.

Las Vegas must replace leading rusher Robert Hackett (1,160 yards, 10 TDs) and starting quarterback Marvin Campbell (1,837 passing yards, 14 TDs), but help came from the west side of the valley.

Lopez transferred from Sierra Vista and will replace Campbell at quarterback.

Lopez passed for 1,592 yards and 12 TDs for the Mountain Lions last year and has the arm to thrive in Las Vegas ’ spread offense, especially if the team’s young receivers improve quickly.

Bullock transferred from Western to give the Wildcats a big-play threat at running back. The speedy Bullock rushed for 1,356 yards and 12 TDs last season, averaging 10.2 yards per carry. Cimarron-Memorial transfer Kevin Cormier (508 yards) should help in the backfield, too.

The return of 300-pound tackle Langstaff, who missed most of last season because of injury, should help bolster a defense that also returns All-Sunrise Region linebacker Jordan Hamilton.