By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School Flag Football team played its final two games of the season against Boulder City and SECTA last week. For the seniors in the program, this was the end of an era, and was an emotional one for many. MVHS Senior Felicia Perez said, “After the last game, we were all in tears because we knew it was our last time playing together.”
The first game of the week was at home against Boulder City. The Eagles, in prime position to get into the playoffs, came in as the favorite. They would come into Moapa Valley and seal up what would be a 27-0 victory in the Pirates’ last home game of the season.
However, this would not be the final game for the Pirates, which was against the Roadrunners of SECTA. Contrary to the results of the Boulder City game, the Pirates and Roadrunners would duel in a close one.
The Pirates had to come into the game with a chip on their shoulder. The Roadrunners came in with a 6-3 record and the confidence of taking down a powerhouse in Virgin Valley just days earlier. The Pirates entered the game with a 1-8 record and a desire to finish on top.
At the end of the first half, the game was very close, with SECTA leading by a narrow 12-7 margin. In the second half, both sides added another score and the deficit wouldn’t waver for the Pirates. They fell short by a score of 18-13.
Avery Rayos was the X-factor for the Roadrunners. She caught a pair of scores and threw for one more. On the other side of the ball, Rayos hauled in two interceptions as well.
The Pirates would finish the season at 1-9 in league play, and 2-16 overall.
After the game, Perez spoke fondly again about playing her last flag football game for the Pirates. “It’s extremely bittersweet,” she said. “I’ve played this sport for the past four years of my life and I’ve made so many memories. It’s so sad knowing I won’t play with the girls ever again.”
Meanwhile, fellow senior Danielle Chandler said, “Our team went through a lot in the four years I’ve played. I’ve had five different coaches and tons of different teammates. The sport I played and loved was done, but I’m so happy I got to be a part of such a great program.”
Chandler emphasized her appreciation for Pirates’ Head Coach Dave Belcher. “I’m grateful for my coach this year,” she said. “He believed in us so much even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. He made this year truly great for us.”
Despite having just one coach on the field, for the Pirates, it always felt like there were two present. Having been a year since the loss of their previous head coach, Brent May, the players always played with him in mind.
“Even when we didn’t win, we played with passion and played for Mr. May,” Chandler said. “Even if the scoreboard didn’t always end up how we wanted it to, we did it for him.”
