By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Flag Football team had to face off against a pair of challenging teams last week; one of which is likely headed to the playoffs, and the other a rival who has yet to fall to a league opponent.
The first game of the week was a match against the Del Sol Dragons played at home on Tuesday, January 31. Earlier in the season, the Dragons took down the Pirates by a score of 25-6. This game was the beginning of what became a five game losing streak for the Pirates. The Moapa Valley team was enthused by the chance to end their losing streak against the team that began it in the first place.
Due to a Felicia Perez touchdown, the Pirates were in the driver’s seat right out of the gates. This gave Moapa a seven point lead going into the halftime break.
In the second half, though, the Dragons were able to knot it up at 7-7.
With the game coming down to the wire, the Pirates’ athletes were excited. In the final minutes, the score remained unchanged at sevens, as both sides looked to score the go ahead touchdown.
In the end, it would be the road team, the Del Sol Dragons, who broke the tie to lead 13-7. Their advantage would not fall in the closing moments and the Pirates went on to lose by a final score of 13-7.
This extended the Pirates stretch of losses to six and made their record 1-6 with three games left.
“We played our best, and I think that after the game we were a little disappointed that we weren’t able to win,” said Pirate quarterback Alex Peay. “But since it was close, it showed us that if we give it our all, then we are going to be able to win our games.”
The Pirates’ second game of the week came against the undefeated Bulldogs of Virgin Valley on the road. The Pirates were shut out by the Bulldogs earlier in the season and they looked to get revenge on their rivals.
A 40-0 halftime deficit was hard to swallow for the Pirates, however they compensated by scoring a pair of touchdowns from Peay and senior Felicia Perez in the second half.
The final score in the game would be 53-13.
“We walked out with our heads held high,” said Peay. “We did our best against a team that has yet to lose. We played our hearts out and that’s all that matters.”
With one week left on the year, Peay also added, “I was excited to play with my teammates and create bonds with them (this season).”
The Pirates travel to SECTA Wednesday for their last game of the season.
