By Don Ketchum

As the story goes, Marvin Johnson liked to go to Las Vegas.

One day, he was on a good streak and was so overjoyed that he exclaimed, “I’m going to name my first kid “Vegas!’ ’’

Flash forward nearly two decades and Vegas Johnson is ready for his good streak to show its face one more time when he and his Peoria Centennial football teammates face Scottsdale Chaparral for the Class 5A Division II championship on Monday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Kickoff is 8 p.m.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior running back and linebacker and his teammates would like to make up for a loss to Tempe Marcos de Niza in last year’s semifinals. That eliminated the possibility of a title game against Chaparral.

“It was sad, especially for the seniors who were on that team,’’ Vegas said. “So we want to come back and win this for them and our seniors this year.’’

He has rushed for 1,134 yards and 17 touchdowns, which is true to his lineage. Marvin Johnson was a running back for Peoria High teams that won state titles in the mid-1980s.

Like his dad, Vegas does not underestimate the value of the linemen and fullbacks who block for him.

“You’ve got to trust them to do their assignments, and ours do a great job every week,’’ he said. “You’ve got to be patient with them and your fullback to lead you through the hole.’’

It is not surprising that Vegas likes offense better, “because I like to score.’’

He can score on defense, too, as he did in the semifinals against Tucson Ironwood Ridge, scooping up a fumble and returning it for about 25 yards into the end zone.

Next year, Vegas hopes to accept an appointment to the Air Force Academy. He has been recommended by a former Centennial player who is at the academy, Austin Arias.

Vegas hopes to study medicine and work toward obtaining a pilot’s license.

“A few years ago, I couldn’t see myself doing something like that, going into the military,’’ he said. “But after hearing about all the benefits it offers and how it will affect my life, I think it is a good opportunity, a good decision.’’

Now, if he could just hit the jackpot one last time . . .