Las Vegas shuts out Rancho, wins 22nd straight Bone Game

Even though this year’s edition of the Bone Game took two days to complete, nothing has changed in the state’s oldest rivalry.

Las Vegas dominated the opening half Friday by scoring 19 points, then scored three third-quarter touchdowns Saturday to win 47-0. It was the 22nd consecutive win for the Wildcats in the series.

For the second straight year, Las Vegas scored 47 points, but it took a lot longer in 2018.

The lights at Las Vegas High School came on only on the home side Friday. Officials waited nearly 40 minutes following the end of the second quarter to see if the lights on the visitor’s side would work.

Those lights never came on, and school officials decided to finish Saturday.

“You have to be good at adapting sometimes,” Wildcats coach Erick Capetillo said. “We have been working out at 5 a.m., so we were ready for the challenge. Once action starts, it’s football regardless of the time.”

Rancho opened play Saturday with its best drive of the game, moving the ball from its own 28 to the Las Vegas 21. On fourth-and-1, the Rams were flagged for a false start, moving the ball back to the 26. On the next play, Ethan Overson dropped the pitch from Ruben Vasquez and Las Vegas’ Jordan Dishmon scooped up the fumble and raced 70 yards untouched for a touchdown and a 26-0 lead.

Las Vegas scored twice in the final 4:28 of the period — quarterback Ja’shawn Scroggins found Miles Davis for a 59-yard score and Cody Sunmer finished his three TD afternoon with a 14-yard run.

Scroggins, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three scores, found Davis again for a TD on a 36-yard strike with just less than five minutes remaining. Davis had 95 receiving yards.

“We came out with the intensity we needed both days,” Capetillo said. “Friday was insane with people everywhere and school spirit was all over the place. I wish all schools could witness an experience like this.”

What the Wildcats didn’t like in the two-day experience was penalties. Las Vegas was whistled 17 times for 162 yards, including eight holding calls.

“We certainly have to address the flags,” Capetillo said. “I don’t know if it’s a discipline issue, we will just wait until we look at the game film. But we can’t play good teams down the road and have these many flags against us.”

Friday, Sumner scored twice and Scroggins found Darin Akau for a 12-yard scoring play as the Wildcats earned the 19-point cushion. Sumner led all rushers with 83 yards on 12 carries, and Akau had six catches for 66 yards.

Las Vegas outgained Rancho, 399-64. The Rams had just 4 yards of offense in the first half on Friday.