Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 | 10:31 p.m.
Seconds after the Arbor View High football team put the finishing touches on a 37-21 victory against Coronado in the Class 5A, Division-I state semifinals, the public address announcer proudly bellowed what many were thinking: The Aggies’ next game would be at Allegiant Stadium for the state championship.
The reminder of what would be next helped intensify the celebration.
Arbor View will take on defending state champion Bishop Gorman on Nov. 26 at the stadium near the Strip, advancing to the title game for the first year in the program’s near 20-year existence.
The experience of playing in the Raiders’ home field is the reward for a remarkable season — they only lost once, earned a rare victory over Liberty, and had two hard-fought wins against Coronado.
Coach Marlon Barnett, when addressing the team, said playing at Allegiant Stadium isn’t the goal. It’s winning at Allegiant Stadium, he said.
“It feels great, man,” Barnett said. “But, you know, like I just told the guys, man, the job’s not finished.”
The Aggies would score 20 unanswered points starting in the second quarter to take firm control of the game, using short touchdown runs from Thaddeus Thatcher, Nylen Johnson and Kamareion Bell to extend the lead.
Meanwhile, Arbor View’s defense was able to partially contain Coronado’s high-scoring offense led by quarterback Aiden Krause.
Neville Roberts and Christian Nabong had touchdown receptions for the Cougars, and standout wide receiver JJ Buchanan had about 130 receiving yards.
Thatcher connected with Jayden Williams on a 19-yard scoring strike to open the scoring for Arbor View and the Aggies found success in the running game. Its offensive line dominated.
When Barnett was hired for the job in the offseason, he told the players they would be a championship-contending team. After enjoying tonight’s win, Barnett says they will quickly flip the page to Gorman and the quest to be champions.
“Extremely proud of those seniors because they could have left after I took the job, but they didn’t,” the coach said. “They bought into what we do. They believed in it. Every single guy in this team believed in it.”
Gorman, of course, is rarely challenged by local opponents. Since 2007, it has won all but two state titles.
Gorman beat Liberty 49-3 tonight in the other semifinal game. The Gaels led just 14-3 at halftime.