HIGH SCHOOLS Faraglia adapts to move west

Phil Faraglia Jr. has made a successful transition from Chaney to Palo Verde High.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Phil Faraglia Jr. had to leave Chaney High earlier this year for family reasons after completing his junior year to transfer to Palo Verde High in Summerland, Nev., a suburb of Las Vegas.
After becoming a fixture at Chaney and playing three years of football as a wide receiver and defensive back, and three years of baseball as a left-fielder, Faraglia headed west to venture into the unknown.
But armed with the basic fundamentals in academics and athletics, he has been able to capitalize on his changed situation and turn the relocation into an interesting and successful adventure. It also has opened new vistas that are boding well for his future.
Fitting in
Since enrolling at Palo Verde this school year, Faraglia has become a standout on the football team while holding a 3.65 grade-point average.
He also already has begun practicing with the Palo Verde baseball team, and hopes to win a baseball scholarship to Arizona State to study sports medicine. He also is considering Nevada-Las Vegas and Colorado.
And in the midst of his new life, he also has become a hero of sorts due to his rare exploits on the gridiron as "The Big Faker."
Scored on trick play
What Faraglia did was run for the winning touchdown on a fake field-goal attempt as the ball holder in double overtime of a state quarterfinal playoff game, after suggesting the trick play to his coach.
It marked the seventh time that he was able to score on a fake kick during the season, having previously run for six conversions on fake extra-point attempts -- all also executed as the ball holder.
"No one was expecting it because we had a pretty good kicker," said Faraglia of the fake field-goal run from the 10-yard line around left end on the first play after an interception, which lifted Palo Verde to a 34-28 win over host Centennial in the Division 4A Sunset Regional quarterfinal game.
He had an open field all the way to the end zone.
"There was no one in front of me," he said, not knowing why the defense fell for it.
"We did it quite a few games [on extra points] so I'm sure they had to see it, but they weren't looking for the fake at all," he added. "They were just trying to block the field goal and get the ball back."
Grateful to coach
Faraglia is grateful to his coach for listening to his suggestion and letting him try the fake field goal.
"As soon as we got the interception, someone yelled, 'Kick a field goal,' " recalled Faraglia.
"He [coach] called timeout. He brought the field goal unit on the field, and I asked him if I can take it in, and he told everyone in the huddle that it would be a fake and to block like they usually block," Faraglia said. "I was real confident and he [coach] gave me a lot of leeway with that [play]."
After that big win, Palo Verde was drubbed in a state semifinal to McQueen High, 45-0, near Reno. McQueen then went on to win the state 4A title.
Palo Verde qualified for the playoffs as a wild-card team and finished the season with a 9-4 record.
Versatile player
Faraglia played several roles with the team. Not only was he the holder on extra-point and field goal attempts, but he was the starting running back and defensive back and played on the punt and kickoff return squads.
He rushed for 502 yards in 52 carries for a 9.7-yard average, and set a school record with a 91-yard touchdown run. On defense, he came up with 10 tackles and a blocked pass.
Now his athletic thoughts are turning to baseball.
"We are practicing right now," said Faraglia, a center-fielder who batted .470 last spring with the Chaney team.
He also continues to focus on academic achievement.
"I had straight A's the last grade period."
Faraglia is planning to graduate in June. His ultimate goal is to become a sports team doctor.
He likes Palo Verde High, which is only 6 years old, and he likes the area.
"The people are friendly and there is some beautiful scenery out there," he said. "We have good teachers and the academic programs are real tough out there."
kovach@vindy.com