No. 7 Foothill rides running game to victory over Desert Pines — PHOTOS

The Foothill bench reacts after Foothill wide receiver Jaymen Tiss, not pictured, jumps over a Desert Pines defender to catch the ball and score a touchdown during the high school football game at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill wide receiver Bryce Rodriguez (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill senior Avant Gates Jr. (2) drags Desert Pines defensive players, making a first down during the high school football game at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill quarterback Brennon Arthur (7) hands the ball to running back Eugene Altobella III (3) during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines freshman Michael Taylor (9) celebrates making a first down during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines freshman Michael Taylor (9) attempts to hurdle Foothill cornerback Isaiah Sams (20) during the high school football game at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill quarterback Brennon Arthur (7) looks to throw the ball during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Foothill student section cheers while dressed as minions during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill senior Lucas Allen (24) looks to catch a ball during a warm-up before the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. The game was slightly delayed due to nearby storms. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill fans wait for the high school football game against Desert Pines to start after being slightly delayed due to nearby storms at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill cornerback Isaiah Sams (20) slowly brings down Desert Pines senior Ejuan Carter (1) during the high school football game at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines running back Marcus Williams (20) watches film during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines wide receiver Jaxon Sharp (3) runs the ball during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines senior Ejuan Carter (1) slowly walks off the field after not converting on fourth down during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines running back Marcus Williams (20) grabs his shoe after being tackled during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill wide receiver Jaymen Tiss (11) jumps over Desert Pines junior Majik Mcmillion (5) to catch the ball and eventually score a touchdown during the high school football game at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill running back Eugene Altobella III (3) cruises into the end zone unscathed during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill Head Coach Vernon Brown talks to the team after the high school football game against Desert Pines, winning 27-0 at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Desert Pines quarterback Zeyshawn Martin (7) is hit while throwing the ball during the high school football game against Foothill at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Foothill running back Eugene Altobella III (3) runs the ball during the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A group of Foothill helpers work to inflate an entrance tunnel before the high school football game against Desert Pines at Foothill High School, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Henderson. (Daniel Jacobi II/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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By Lucas Gordon Special to the Review-Journal

September 20, 2024 - 9:32 pm

Foothill turned to its ground game to earn a 27-0 home win over Desert Pines on Friday in its Class 5A Division I league opener.

After mostly finding success through the air four games into the season, the Falcons (5-0, 1-0), No. 7 in the Review-Journal’s 5A rankings, piled up 176 yards rushing against the Jaguars (1-4, 0-1).

“We’re known as a passing school, but we ran the ball,” Foothill coach Vernon Brown said. “We’re trying to be a 60-40 ballclub and be more balanced.”

Senior running back Eugene Altobella led the charge for Foothill with 109 yards on 16 carries. He also hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Despite all the success Foothill had on the ground, the team scored only one rushing touchdown.

In the first half, Avante Gates Jr. led the Falcons down the field with rushes of 17 and 14 yards, then finished up the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run that put the Falcons up 13-0 after the extra point was missed.

Although the running game carried the bulk of the offense, the Falcons did find success in the air. Quarterback Brennon Arthur finished the game with 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Arthur got the scoring started early in the first quarter with a 29-yard pass that wide receiver Bryce Rodriguez pulled down to go up 7-0.

With a 13-0 lead at halftime, Arthur only needed to complete two passes for the rest of the game, but both went for touchdowns. One was the 11-yard strike to Altobella, and the other was a 47-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Jaymen Tiss, who reached over the defender for the grab to extend the lead to 27-0.

Foothill will have an opportunity to rest on its bye week before heading to Bishop Gorman on Oct. 5.

“This was a big win for us, Brown said, “because we are now 1-0 in the league, have the bye coming up, and gives us extra time to prepare for Gorman.”