The FSM Essential Recap: Centennial vs Legacy - Las Vegas High School Football Playoffs Round 1

Las Vegas High School Football Game of The Week: Playoffs – Centennial vs Legacy

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Separated by a just few miles, Legacy High School traveled north to Centennial High School in the first round of the NIAA football playoffs for the Mountain Region. The Bulldogs are 9-1 and finished as the top seed in the Northwest League. While the Longhorns came in as the 4th seed in the Northeast, they had two tough losses–one to Desert Pines and the other to Las Vegas High School.

On a cold and breezy night at Bulldog Stadium, Centennial took a 14-0 lead on two Jordan Smith touchdowns. The senior running back is one of Las Vegas’ most underrecruited players. He has rushed for 1,249 yards and 18 total touchdowns on the year as a three-year starter at running back for the Bulldogs. Smith had another big game rushing for over 200 yards and four touchdowns vs. the Longhorns, but his leadership and smarts late in the game helped secure the win for Centennial.

Legacy scored a touchdown with under 8 seconds left in the first half to cut the lead to 14-7. Junior Quarterback Evan Olaes lead the Longhorns down to start the third quarter for another touchdown, a rush by senior Carlos Julian. On the night, the gun-slinging Olaes had four touchdowns to cap off a stellar junior season throwing for a total 25 and over 3,000 in the air.

Centennial did an excellent job nullifying one of the best wide receivers in Las Vegas, junior Aaron Holloway. He’s another player who should be getting more offers from colleges. Holloway set a school records for receiving yards with over 1,400 and 16 touchdowns. His season receiving total was the third-best in NIAA history. The Bulldogs kept him out of the endzone and did an excellent job containing him in the return game.

Centennial retook the lead after junior wide receiver Gerrick Robinson took a screen pass 44 yards to pay dirt. Robinson is one of Las Vegas’ most electrifying players with the ball in his hands. He finished the season with 745 yards receiving, eight touchdowns, and averaging nearly 17 yards per catch. The Bulldogs forced Legacy to punt after a Thomas Lane IV sack, and two plays later Smith took the handoff to the end-zone from 44 yards out to give the Bulldogs a 28-14 lead.

Olaes and the Legacy offense tried their best to match the Bulldogs score for score, but turnovers hurt the Longhorns when it was all said and done. There was an interception by Centennial linebacker Nate Conger, who happened to be at the right place at the right time as the ball bounced off a Legacy receiver into his hands. The Longhorns also had a critical fumble late in the third quarter that stalled a drive that nearing the Bulldog red-zone.

Late in the fourth quarter, after a Legacy touchdown to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-20, the Longhorns failed to recover an onside kick. On their next play, Jordan Smith took the handoff off the right tackle for the 68-yard touchdown to give Centennial a 35-20 lead and in essence, seal the Bulldogs victory. A series earlier, Smith ran the ball on three consecutive plays with the second down play being the critical one. It was crucial because even on the nine-yard loss, Jordan evaded multiple Longhorn defenders and ran 10 seconds off the clock, managing to stay in bounds.

After the punt, Legacy scored another touchdown which was a pass from Olaes to Julian. The game ended at 35-27. Olaes played tough all night, taking big hit after big hit from Bulldogs’ defenders. He is poised to have a big senior year for Legacy, who is returning the majority of their team and will be a force next year for head coach John Isola.

Las Vegas High School Football Centennial vs Legacy 

Centennial High School’s next game is on November 22, 2019, against Palo Verde. The game kicks off at Centennial High School at 7:00 PM.

Las Vegas High School Football Centennial vs Legacy 

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Las Vegas High School Football Centennial vs Legacy