| By Jonathan Oglesby Moapa Valley Progress Published September 3, 2008
Now that the season is fully underway and training camp is but a memory, it is time for the public to find out the real identity for the Moapa Valley Football Pirates. They are the defending Nevada State Champion, yes; they are the favorites to win the Southern 3A, yes; and they have the third best schedule in the State of Nevada, yes. Even with all of these known factors, no one can |
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| predict what is to come of the season unless the real heart of Pirate football is analyzed and looked over.
The first factor determining whether this season will be successful lies in the hearts of the senior leaders. After a 1-2 start last season, the Seniors took control and helped the team along to a 9-3 season that ended with sweet redemption in the State Title game. Senior leadership is everything and the senior experience that is present in the team this year will be a major factor in determining the team’s fate. That experience and leadership starts in the offensive backfield where RB Brad Weiss |
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and QB Max Jenkins have seven years of experience combined and the test of two State Championship games under their belt. The same goes for the defense where Tyler Lomprey has three years of experience and two State Title games as well. Experience is deep in Pirate land so that isn’t an issue.
The second factor in this season’s expectations will be how well Moapa Valley can respond to challenges that are thrown in their path. The Pirates will play four 2007 playoff teams to start the season and the final game of the four will take place with the tough team from Delta, Utah. All of these games will test |
| the metal of the Pirate spirit and the results of the team after these tests will really tell the story of how Moapa Valley can respond to challenges. If they can respond well, they will have the courage to take action in the postseason. |
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The final factor in Moapa’s story this season is going to be how excited the Moapa Valley is about how their team is performing. If any year showed it, the 2006 Moapa Valley season showed that school and community spirit can mean the world to a team that needs confidence or reassurance that they are fighting for all the right reasons. If we as a community don’t bind together and show our love and appreciation to the athletes and coaches who represent our valley every Friday night, there is no way they will ever be successful in making it to Saturday afternoon. |
| Maybe it is too early to tell, but if this team continues to work hard in the face of adversity and attempts to succeed in spite of it, they have the talent, experience and intelligence to run the tables again. All they have to do is prepare for every game like it is a championship game and they will succeed. Hopefully, the results of their efforts is one we can all applaud and enjoy together. |
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