STATE CHAMPIONS! Pirates Win State In Overtime Nail-biter

By DAVE BELCHER

Moapa Valley Progress

The Pirates came together last weekend to pull off the greatest come-back win in Moapa Valley football history. On Saturday night, against the Desert Pines Jaguars of Las Vegas, the Pirates overcame a 22 point deficit and secured an overtime victory in the 2014 state football championships.

Desert Pines took complete control of the game in the first half. But in the end, dropped pass, a holding call and a fumble were what did them in during the second half. Meanwhile, Moapa Valley scored the final four touchdowns to close out the game and turn what seemed a certain loss into a huge victory, 42-36.

Moapa Valley trailed 20-0 after the first half. Desert Pines had dominated the Pirates. The Jaguars completely shut down Moapa’s high scoring offense, which had averaged over forty points a game this season. They also were able to confine quarterback Zach Hymas who had been 106-170 for 1766 yards with 23 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions this year.

Trevor Nofoa started the scoring with a 6 yard run on the first Jaguar drive. The run for the 2-point conversion failed. Six minutes later Isaiah Morris broke a run for 54 yards and a touchdown. Nofoa caught the pass for the 2-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.

Morris would get his second touchdown when quarterback Marckell Grayson found him for a 7 yard touchdown building a 20-0 lead with just under 3 minutes remaining in the first half.

“We didn’t talk X’s and O’s in the locker room at half time,” said Coach Brent Lewis. “I challenged their manhood, their heart.”
It was a wakeup call.

At 3:56 into the third quarter Kaleb Bodily ended the first Pirate drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion was no good. But now the Pirates were rolling again.

Backup quarterback Nate Cox was the next to score on an 11 yard pass reception from Hymas with 2:17 left in the third.
Then disaster happened. Just 19 seconds after the Pirates touchdown, Isaiah Morris broke a 65 yard run to the endzone. With a 2 point conversion the Jaguars now led 28-14.

Another Jaguar touchdown left Moapa Valley down 36-14 to start the 4th quarter. But instead of falling apart, the Pirate team came together. Hymas scored from three yards out cutting the Jaguars lead to 16 at 36-20 with 11:02 to play.
On the Jaguar’s next drive, Morris took the hand-off, cut left and scored from 26 yards out. But a flag in the Jaguar backfield called the play back. That crucial holding call caused a second down and 23 for Desert Pines. From there the Jaguars couldn’t gain the ground needed for a first down.

After the punt Moapa started the next drive at their own 31. On the first play Hymas found Mulcock on the left sideline at the Desert Pines 37. Then Bodily took the pitch for 5 yards to the 32. After an incomplete pass to Hubert, Mulcock on the jet takes the ball around the right side for 12 yards to the 20. Hymas then threw to the end zone for Hubert who had a step on Breland. But at the last second, Breland snuck a hand in to break up the pass. Mulcock caught a flat pass for 5 yards to the 15 yard line. Hymas missed in the end zone forcing a 4th and 5. Then he found Bodily on a quick slant in the middle for 10 yards and a 1st down at the 5 yard line. Bodily gained 1 yard on the first carry then scored from 4 yards out. Hymas then scored the 2 point conversion with a run around the left side to cut the lead to 8 with 7:20 to play.

On the ensuing kick off Morris was brought down at the Pirate 38 for a huge 44 yard return. Nofoa gained 5 yards, then Morris gained 3 with a dive up the middle.

Then in a huge defensive play, Justin Gentry caught Morris in the back field for a loss of 6 yards making it 4th and 8 from the Moapa Valley 36 yard line.

Instead of punting and pinning the Pirates deep, The Jaguars tried to go for it. But Grayson’s pass fell incomplete giving the Pirates 1 and 10 at their 38 with 5 minutes to play.

Sterling Simmons ran a dive 11 yards. Mulcock caught a flat pass for 7 yards to the Desert Pines 46. Bodily got four more yards on a dive. Then a Moapa holding call makes it 2nd and 22 yards. Hymas’ pass went out of bounds and it was 3rd and 22 with 3:29 remaining. Another pass to Bodily for five yards made it 4th and 17.

The game’s outcome was going to be determined in the next play. Hymas took the snap and found Bodily on a short post route. Bodily broke the tackle and raced to the goal line for a 49 yard touchdown making it a 2 point game.
On the 2 point conversion Hymas rolled left, then found Mulcock in the front corner of the end zone alone for the game-tying score with 3:09 left to play.

Fearing another run back Cope kicked the ball out of bounds where the Jaguars took possession at their own 40 yard line.
After an unsuccessful drive, Desert Pines punted. The ball was downed at the Moapa Valley 30 yard line with 2:15 to play. The Pirates ran several plays before the clock ran out, ending regulation with a tied score, 36-36.

In overtime, the Pirates lost the toss and took possession of the ball first. Moments later, Hymas lofted a pass to the back corner of the left end zone. There Hubert out-jumped his defender bring in the ball for the touchdown: a first Pirate lead of the game. Hymas’ pass was knocked away on the 2 point conversion leaving the score 42-36.

Then it was Desert Pines turn. Grayson handed the ball off to Dillard Davis. But then Davis fumbled the ball. Moapa’s Bo Redd dived on it. Moapa Valley had captured the championship!

Pirate fans flooded the field in pandemonium while the Desert Pines offense lay motionless on the field in complete disbelief. Tears of joy streamed down the checks of coaches, players, parents, brothers, sisters. Players from years before hugged each other as the cheerleaders, dance team, band and students encircled the hometown heroes. There were very few dry eyes anywhere.

Of course, that included the Jaguar players and their fans. Their tears represented disbelief, confusion as to what had happened; complete shock and sadness. They were encircled by family trying to give comfort.

You have to feel for this team of Jaguars who endured something similar to last year when Faith Lutheran came from behind in the state semi-finals and ended the Jaguar season. The Desert Pines players lingered on the field for quite a while.
For the Pirates it is their 16th state football championship in history. Third in the last eight years. This one ended a perfect 13-0 season.
Moapa Valley finished with 487 total yards, 109 yards rushing and 378 yards passing. Desert Pines ran just 21 plays in the second half while the Pirates ran 22 rushing plays and 30 passes for 31 more plays than Desert Pines. Moapa Valley ran 9 more plays in the game than the Jaguars, 40 more yards and 6 more points.

Morris ran for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had 3 receptions for 24 yards receiving and a touchdown. Quarterback Marckell Grayson ran for 38 yards on 8 carries he threw for 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Trevor Nofoa ran for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Zach Hymas was 20-41 for 378 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He ran the ball 6 times for no yardage. RJ Hubert was 0-1 passing with an interception, he had one rush, -1 yard; and 6 catches for 148 yards with a touchdown the championship winner. Kaleb Bodily had 18 carries for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns. He caught 5 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Cole Mulcock had 4 rushes for 20 yards and 6 receptions for 78 yards. Sterling Simmons had 3 rushes for 14 yards. Andrew Huerta had one run for 5 yards. Justin Gentry had one run for no yards. Nate Cox caught 2 passes for 15 yards and one touchdown. Derek Cope caught one pass for 9 yards.
Bo Redd had one interception and a fumble recovery that he will remember forever.