Pirate JV Dismantles Valley

By GANNON HANEVOLD

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley High School JV Football squad went up against Valley Vikings on their home field on Thursday, Aug. 30. For the second straight week, the Pirate team would be joined by the freshman B team as the Vikings do not have a B team to field this season.

The Vikings started with the ball. On their first set of downs, the Valley quarterback sent a pass to the left sideline that was tipped and caught by Moapa’s Austin Heiselbetz, darting in from the safety position. Heiselbetz dodged defenders and saw nothing but green ahead. His touchdown made the score 8-0 just seconds into the game.

In the first half, the Pirates weren’t done. With 4:56 on the clock in the first quarter, Steele Skinner followed up a long rush on the play before with a short goal line dive. He’d take the play literally, leaping for the end zone and extending the lead to 16-0.

Early in the second quarter, Skinner added another goal-to-go to make it 24-0. Moapa Valley was clearly in control.

Later in the second period, as the clock approached the three minute mark, Carson Heiselbetz would catch a short touchdown on a screen pass and extend the lead to 31-0 thanks to a Justin Proffit PAT. It would be 38-0 by the intermission.

It was more of the same after the half. Three more touchdowns made the score 58-0 when the final buzzer sounded.

Perhaps the highlight came from Justin Proffit, who picked up a fumble from his defensive line position and returned it over forty yards for the score, before diving over the pylon for emphasis.

It was the final candle on the cake for one of the most dominant victories the JV Pirates have seen.
“We were able to move the football on the ground and the defensive touchdowns set the tone,” said JV head coach Dallas Larsen. “That was just a combination for success. When the freshmen got their chance, they decided to put a few on the board too.”

This season’s Pirate defense has yet to surrender a score against them this season, as last week’s game only included a special teams score by the SLAM Bulls. New coach Steve Wallace, who brings head coaching pedigree from out of state, is who Larsen credits with that success.

“He’s brought in some energy and experience on the defensive side,” Larsen said. “He loves to put pressure and use unique blitzes. Our kids are buying into it.”

This week, the two teams will separate for the first time this year. Both the B and JV teams will see action in separate games on the road.