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Pirates Beat Lowry, On To State

Zach Staley (left) and Haydn Waite (center) celebrate after the Pirate victory over Lowry in the state semi-finals on Saturday, November 13. Photo by Angie Glaubitz.

By Dave Belcher

Moapa Valley Progress

When the Lowry football team traveled the eight hours to Moapa Valley on Saturday for the semi-final matchup, no one knew what to expect for the outcome. The northern and southern teams had no common opponents to gauge the differences the two leagues.

But one thing was sure, Truckee rules the north.

How well will Moapa compete with the defending state champions? We will find out next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. as the Wolverines and Pirates will meet for the third consecutive year for the state title.

Lowry came in with the 3A leading rusher a two-time state wrestling champion, Jace Billingsley. The junior had 2286 yards coming into the game and left Moapa Valley with 81 yards more. He did take a Weiss pass 92 yards to the house as Moapa was knocking on the Lowry door.

The most impressive play of the game came when big Will Thacker, the offensive tackle, took the pitch on a hook and lateral and showed great speed out-racing a stunned Moapa defense to the end zone for Lowry’s second score.

Moapa’s first touchdown came when Lowry kicked an onside kick to the second level of the Pirate return team. It went out of bounds. Zach Waite caught a pass and took it to the Buck 16. A 25 yard gain after a tipped pass fell incomplete. Waite took the toss and finished the drive with a 16 yard touchdown with 9:39 left in the first quarter. Mortenson’s kick was no good and Moapa lead 6-0.

MVHS senior Riley Solomon carries the ball against tough Lowry defenders.

Lowry didn’t waste any time taking the lead, though. Three minutes later, quarterback Pollock sprinted around the left side for Lowry’s first touchdown. The kick was good and Lowry lead 7-6 with 6:39 left.

Moapa went three and out on their next possession. Lowry did the same.

It was at the 7:06 mark in the second quarter that on 4th and 11 Lowry ran it “hook and lateral” with Thacker. The point after was good and Lowry took a 14-6 lead.

Moapa had a fourth and 3 on their own 39 when Zach Waite was stopped at the line of scrimmage turning the ball over on downs.

Moapa set up with 2:42 from their 27. Solomon went nowhere on a run. Then Weiss hit Shane Terrill who ran down the Lowry sideline and stepped out on the Lowry 20 for a 54 yard gain. The very next play Weiss hit Lewis for the 20-yard score. A pass to Hayden Cooper in the end zone tied the score at 14’s. That’s where the half ended.

In the second half, Lowry fumbled on a reverse and the Pirates recovered at the Lowry 29. Weiss scrambled to the eight yard line with 6:36. After a Moapa timeout Billingsley picked Weiss off for Lowry’s next touchdown; a 96 yard return. The kick was good and Lowry was up 20-14.

Moapa’s next possession saw the Pirates inside the 10 again. Then Zach Waite fumbled in the Pirate backfield and Lowry recovered. The third quarter ended with Lowry at the Moapa 35 and moving the ball.

This is where the bottom fell out for Lowry.

Moapa took over on their own 24 after a Lowry failed fourth and 24 half back pass with 10:21 left in the game.

Moapa took control of the score board. Lewis scored on a pass from Weiss for his second touchdown from 16 yards out with 9:29 left giving Moapa a 21-20 lead. The point after was good.

Lowry went three and out and appeared to be running out of gas.

Moapa got a 1st down with a pass to Lewis at the Lowry 30 for a 32 yard gain. Thacker then sacked Weiss for a six yard loss. A pass to Dakota waters made it fourth and 9. Then Lewis dropped a pass and Lowry took over on downs at their 29.

With 4:01 left in the game Pollock dropped back, looking downfield, and threw a pick to Cooper who ran it to the Lowry 42. Defensive holding a advanced the ball to the 29.

Zach Waite went nowhere on his next run. Then Lowry used their first time out.

Zach Waite ran for six yards and Lowry used the second time out.

Third and 4 with 2:45 to go, Zach Waite picked up the first with a 13 yard run. Haydn Waite then finished the drive as he ran untouched up the middle for the next Pirate score. The kick was good and Moapa lead 28-20 with 2:17 to go.

Lowry on 3rd and 10 threw another half back pass. This time Billingsley’s pass was picked by Terrill who ran 32 yards for Moapa’s final score. The kick was good. Moapa 35, Lowry 20 and that was the final score.

Weiss was 14 of 27 for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

The Pirates rushed for 97 yard total lead by Zach Waite’s 48.

Lowry rushed for 165 yards half of their per game average. Billingsley rushed for 81 and Hernandez 51 as the Pirates shut down Lowry’s “ground and pound” running game.

Pollock was 4 for 14 and 69 yards. Lowry had 236 total yards to Moapa’s 385 total yards. Lewis had five catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

The Pirates will now get a chance to “bring it back” referring to the state championship. This will be their fifth consecutive championship appearance.

The game will start at 6:00 p.m. following the 1A championship between Coleville and Alamo at noon. The 2A championship between Lovelock and Mountain view at 6 p.m.

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