Clark’s Cassiah Banks – Las Vegas Sun News

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Clark High School freshman flag football standout Cassiah Banks saw the ball flying in her direction. 

What she didn’t see was the opposing team’s safety. The collision sent her protective headgear flying.

If there was ever a welcome-to-varsity moment, that was it.

“I got laid out, and I was not expecting it,” she said.

Banks brushed herself off, returned to the huddle, and kept competing. More often than not, she’s the best player on the field.

Her stats tell the story: 111 receptions for 1,800 yards and 35 touchdowns, plus four rushing scores. In one game alone, she recorded six catches for a school-record 217 yards and four touchdowns — not bad for a 14-year-old freshman.

Clark coach Matthew Moyle received a text at the beginning of the school year from a friend who coaches the Apex Predators, a club team that travels the nation playing elite competition. The message: Clark was getting one of the club’s top players.

Banks was studying finance in the magnet program at Clark, which is considered one of the top magnet schools in Clark County School District.

“It was a pretty simple decision: We threw her right into the fire,” Moyle said of building an offense around a ninth-grader.

Senior quarterback Taedyn Parks often arrives early to practice for extra work with her receivers. Banks never misses a session — and their chemistry is obvious.

“I wanted to spend time getting to know Taedyn, and working to build a bond on and off the field,” Banks said.

A freshman dominating at the varsity level is rare, especially one who stands just 5 feet, 2 inches. But Banks is not an ordinary freshman.

She’s usually the fastest player on the field, has superior knowledge of the game, is battle-tested from competing in national club events, and possesses a maturity most ninth-graders lack, Moyle said.

“She is level-headed and super easy going,” he said. “She’s mature and knows what to do.

Banks wasn’t intimidated by older competition. Naturally, the players guarding her are taller and stronger. And yes, the game is more physical.

But few can match her speed. It took a few games for her nervousness to be replaced with confidence.

“I was very nervous (at the beginning of the season) because I wanted to make an impact on the team,” she said.

Her impact has the Chargers hopeful of a postseason run. 

The playoffs begin next week, and Clark is pushing for the school’s first state title. The Chargers reached the semifinals in 2020.