Four Wildcats Knock on Pro Football’s Door (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – A tennis player who switched to football just two years before the pandemic upended high school sports now stands on the cusp of the NFL. Fernando Carmona Jr. earned a fifth-round selection by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, marking a milestone for Las Vegas High School. The eastside public school, long overshadowed by powerhouse programs, suddenly boasts four alumni headed to rookie minicamps.[1]
Four Wildcats Knock on Pro Football’s Door
The draft brought immediate attention to the Wildcats’ recent graduates. Carmona, who lined up at tight end during his brief tenure, became the program’s highest recent pick at No. 142 overall. Defensive back Keionte Scott followed closely, going in the fourth round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though Scott spent his senior year in California, he returned to Las Vegas High for his final semester, where coaches helped launch his college path at Snow College.[1]
Running back and return specialist Miles Davis secured a minicamp invite from the Seattle Seahawks after stints at BYU and Utah State. Safety Devyn Perkins, who played at Utah Tech, heads to the Las Vegas Raiders’ camp. Such numbers represent a breakthrough for a program that often scrapes by with limited rosters. Coaches view these opportunities as hard-earned rewards for persistence.[1]
The Eastside’s Unyielding Community Backbone
Las Vegas High sits in an older, inner-city neighborhood where challenges abound. The eastside fosters a tight-knit sense of belonging, with residents watching out for one another amid everyday struggles. Coach Jose Cerriteño grew up there under a single mother’s care, and the school’s staff often steps in as mentors for local youth. This environment breeds resilience that translates to the gridiron.[1]
Participation remains a hurdle; the Wildcats frequently lack enough players for a freshman squad. Resources come at a premium compared to well-funded rivals. Yet the neighborhood’s grit provides an edge. Players develop not just skills, but a mindset forged in real-world adversity, setting them apart in college and beyond.
A Coaching Staff Rooted in Tradition and Discipline
Head coach Jose Cerriteño, a Las Vegas High alumnus who played at Colorado State, embodies the program’s enduring spirit. Practices under his watch pulse with organization and intensity, echoing the approaches of predecessors Chris Faircloth and James Thurman. Those mentors remain connected, offering guidance that keeps standards high. “It’s an honor that we get to be the caretakers of this program,” Cerriteño remarked.[1]
The Wildcats carry a legacy of state championships in Nevada’s top division, drawing steady Friday night crowds despite shifting competitive landscapes. National powers like Bishop Gorman and consistent contenders such as Liberty dominate headlines with travel schedules and sponsorships. Las Vegas High operates differently, focusing on local rivalries and steady improvement. In 2025, the team ripped off nine straight wins to open the season, toppling nearby powers Desert Pines and Mater East along the way. Such results affirm the staff’s methods amid roster constraints – no ninth-grade team, persistent numbers issues – yet they refuse to yield ground on their home turf.[1]
“It highlights and showcases what the best can be in terms of public high school football,” Cerriteño added, capturing the pride in proving skeptics wrong. The coaches prioritize purpose over flash, turning neighborhood talent into polished prospects. This philosophy not only sustains the program but elevates it, as evidenced by the draft windfall. Observers note the competitive edge immediately upon visiting a session, a testament to deliberate cultivation of talent in lean times.
Validation for a Storied Program’s Quiet Climb
Last week’s selections felt like collective triumph for a school often overlooked. The eastside remains a breeding ground for determined athletes who shun elite recruiting pitches for community-rooted development. Las Vegas High honors its history while adapting to modern demands, ensuring the pipeline flows onward. With recent successes, the Wildcats aim to inspire the next wave, much like Carmona did for those who followed.
These achievements underscore public high school football’s potential when grit meets guidance. As minicamps unfold, the eyes of east Las Vegas turn toward training camps and beyond, watching neighborhood sons chase professional dreams born on familiar fields.
