By Dave Belcher
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley Varsity Football team traveled to Silverado High School to face off against the Skyhawks on Friday, October 15. The Pirates fought hard but came away with a loss.
Moapa received the opening kick off and returned the ball to the 34. Moapa’s second play was a pass to Casen Lewis who took it to the Silverado 40. After a Moapa clip made it 2 and 23 at the Pirates own 46, Weiss dropped back and threw short, or long, to a Skyhawk wide open. He returned it to their own 49.
Isaiah Thurman ran four yards for 3-5 at the Pirate 45. It was a steady force-feeding of Thurman to the 26 when Parker Chappell caught Thurman in the back field for a loss at the Pirate 31. An incomplete pass left Silverado with 4 and 11 at the 31 when Curtis caught and scored Silverado’s first touchdown, with 6:46 left in the quarter.
Zach Waite took the kick, went right, and handed to Lewis, who took off down the Pirate sideline. He shook off the kicker around the 50 yard line and sprinted to the end zone for a 94 yard Pirate touchdown. Dillion Mortenson kicked the extra point tying the score at 7’s.
In the next series, Thurman ran to the Moapa 46, then to the 44. Scamorrza ran to the 37 then to the 24. The much bigger line was just pushing the Pirate defensive line back five yards at a time; completely dominating. The drive ended with a Scamorrza touchdown with 2:39 left in the 1st.
The Pirate’s next possession ended the first period. They punted to start the second. Back came the Thurman and Scamorrza show, down to the Moapa 12. Here is when the drive stalled as the Pirate defense stiffened and Silverado was forced to kick a 27 yard field goal, making the score 17-7.
Moapa’s next drive made it to the Silverado 40 at 4-1. Weiss’ pass was picked off by Scamorrza who also played line backer. The Skyhawks took over at their own 30. Thurman eventually took the ball into the end zone from the one yard line and Silverado lead 24-7 with 1:04 in the half.
Moapa’s last drive of the half started at the Silverado 49. Moapa’s final play in the half was an incomplete pass on 4 and 10 as time ran out.
In the second half, Silverado’s 1st play was fumbled. Moapa recovered on their own 47. On 4 and 3 at the Skyhawk 49 Weiss’ pass fell incomplete.
Silverado scored three plays later with another pass 27 yards out. Silverado 31- Moapa 7.
Five plays later, Hayden Cooper hit Lewis for a 48 yard touch down. The extra point was no good though.
Silverado’s final score came on 4 and 7 from the 14 yard line when Moniz hit Thompson for the score. The extra point was scored. 38-13 Silverado.
The Pirates did not give up. Moapa’s final score came with a 2 yard Dakota Gordon run. The kick was low and blocked on the extra point. The final score, 38-19.
Moapa had 33 total rushing yards with Gordon leading the Pirates with 21 yards on five carries. Passing Weiss was 14 of 29 for 230 yards and two interceptions. Cooper was one for one, 48 yards and one touchdown. Lewis had six receptions for 123 yards, 1 touchdown. Lewis also returned a kick off for a touch down. Cooper had 70 yards on five receptions. Johnson 2 for 39, Gordon 1 for 26, Terrill 1-10.
On Friday night the Pirates will host the Boulder City Eagles for Homecoming game. A Pirate win knocks Boulder out of the playoffs.
