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March 28, 2024 6:25 am
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Pirates Lose Heartbreaker Vs. Green Valley

MVHS senior Casen Lewis turns to complete a pass at a football game against Green Valley on Friday night at Jeff Keel Stadium.

By Dave Belcher
Moapa Valley Progress

Have you ever heard that a little love goes a long way? Well, Friday night a little Love did go a long way. Once for forty yards, then for twenty two yards for a total of 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Gator’s came to the newly named Jeff Keel field and stadium and defeated the Pirates 23-22.

It was a late arriving crowd that came to support the “recognition” of Jeff Keel field and stadium and also to see a great football game. The game itself had no bearing on the league standings for either team. Green Valley came into the contest 1-1 in the southwest and 2-3 overall. Moapa is still awaiting their first league tilt but had a record of 2-2 overall coming in off a bye week.

Zach Waite took the Gator’s opening kick to the Green Valley forty however the play was called back to the 13 yard line with a block in the back penalty.

The first play saw Weiss keep the ball and sprint 24 yards to the Gator 37.

Waite was stopped for no gain then Parker Chappell lost a yard. Weiss then dropped back and connected with Casen Lewis who didn’t stop running until he crossed the goal line 63 yards later. Weiss connected with Cooper for a two point conversion and the Pirates were up 8-0 at only two minutes into the game.

After holding Green Valley to a punt, the Pirates were on the move again. Two major penalties by the Gator’s defensive holding and then a pass interference call set up Weiss’ next scoring strike to Hayden Cooper from 15 yards out. Lewis took the reverse on the two point conversion and went untouched to the end zone for a Pirate 16-0 lead with 4:20 to play in the 1st quarter.

Green Valley’s first score came two minutes later when Love slipped through the Pirate defense and like lightning struck from 40 yards away. Love then carried it the three yards needed for the two point conversion to bring the Gator’s to within eight points at 16-8 after the first quarter.

The second quarter was scoreless and the teams headed into the locker room with the score still 16-8.

After half-time, the Pirates held the Gator’s for a punt then put together their next scoring drive which was a quick, 80 yard bomb to Hayden Cooper who out-raced the Gator secondary for the score. The two point conversion was incomplete and the Pirates were up 22-8 with 5:20 to go in the third quarter.

Green Valley returned with more Love as he sprinted 22 yards for his second touchdown of the night. Mcgovern’s kick closed the gap to 22-15 at the end of three quarters.

Moapa was unable to do much during the fourth quarter trying to hold on to their seven point lead. Green Valley did break though with a 30 yard scoring strike from McKay to Hanson with 1: 23 left to go and now down only one.

A time out set up Lopez who went right and scored the two point conversion sending the Gator faithful into the air in jubilation. Gator’s 23 Pirates 22.

The kick off was a reverse with Lewis getting the ball then Waite taking it around and down the west side line to the Green Valley 46 yard line. Now with Pirate faithful still sitting on their hands, the Pirates were called for holding after a completed pass.

Then Weiss threw his second interception. The game ended when McKay knelt down in the victory formation.

It was a hard fought contest which saw a lot of great football. The experience gained will benefit the Pirates greatly as they continue their quest for the title.

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