McAllister throws for three scores, runs for one as Basic tops Las Vegas

With a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter and his offense pinned deep in its own territory, Basic football coach Jeff Cahill made a gutsy call to put the ball in the air.

Josh Villaros ensured it was the right decision.

Villaros hauled in a 32-yard reception with a little more than four minutes remaining, and the play helped seal the Wolves’ 42-32 victory over host Las Vegas on Friday in the Division I Sunrise Region semifinals.

“Josh is our guy, man,” Cahill said. “He’s the No. 1 receiver in our conference, and we felt like he could beat the kid. They were playing press (coverage) every time it was third down, so we knew it was open.”

Basic, which finished fourth in the Southeast League, advances to the Sunrise title game for the first time since 2009. The Wolves (6-5) will play 7 p.m. Friday at Liberty.

“Nobody expected us to be here, so we’re going to strap it up next week and go play and see what happens,” Cahill said. “It takes a lot of luck, and the kids just believed they could do it. And they came out and did it. I’m proud of them.”

Basic quarterback Aeneas McAllister finished 15 for 19 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 41 yards rushing and scored on a 3-yard keeper after Las Vegas fumbled on the opening drive of the second half.

Jake Waldren blocked a 20-yard field goal attempt by Las Vegas’ Astrid Catalan with 5:36 remaining in the fourth quarter to preserve the Wolves’ 35-26 lead. On third-and-6 from Basic’s 9-yard line, McAllister threw a deep fade to Villaros, who came back to the ball to make a sliding catch.

“It’s a play that we practice, it’s a situation we practice,” Villaros said. “I know how to deliver. It’s what I’ve been doing since Day 1, just supporting my teammates and coming up big for them.”

Sean White then capped the nine-play, 95-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run that put Basic up 42-26 with 1:40 left to play.

Villaros finished with eight receptions for 133 yards and two first-half touchdowns that helped the Wolves take a 21-13 lead at halftime.

Dante Ortiz rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas. His second score brought the Wildcats (6-5) to within 28-20 late in the third quarter, but Dallon Ellett returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a score to give Basic a 35-20 advantage.

“That was a huge play,” Cahill said.

Las Vegas quarterback Trevor Swenson connected with Kyle Christensen for a 13-yard touchdown with 11:07 remaining to cut the Wolves’ lead to 35-26. Christensen also caught a 12-yard touchdown on the final play of the game and finished with seven catches for 70 yards.

Swenson completed 24 of 36 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.