Pirate JV/B Teams Win Tough Match-ups

By GANNON HANEVOLD

Moapa Valley Progress

Though they took on different opponents, the Moapa Valley High School B and JV football teams both found hard-fought games last week on the road. Thought the Pirates faced tough competition, they were up for the challenged.

The freshman B team went up against the Legacy Longhorns. The Longhorns came out with a running game early to get on the board against the Pirates. But Moapa would respond with a rushing attack of their own. The team’s “thunder and lightning,” as head coach Stuart Humes called it, came from the power of Tristan Vagedes and the speed of Austin Heiselbetz. Ben Jolley played tackle for a banged up offensive line and Humes was impressed with his performance.

In the passing game, Peyton Neilsen made the throws needed and ended up making one of the plays of the game in a 55 yard touchdown pass to Heiselbetz just before halftime. The team would ride this momentum alongside a defense anchored by Jayme Carvajal, Weston Munns, and Lex Bowman, into the second half. Deep in the defensive secondary, Gunner Redd came up with two huge interceptions and went on to add a late touchdown catch. The Pirates would win 30-14.

“It’s been a blast coaching this team,” Humes said. “They work hard and we have fun! They want to compete every week.”

The JV Pirates played the Clark Chargers in their toughest test of the season. Moapa opened with their own two headed rushing attack. Steele Skinner and Rolando Villareal drove the Pirates down the field to take an early lead. After a drive stalled by penalties, the Pirates would go down on their third possession and extend their lead to two scores before going quiet on the offensive end for much of the game.

A fumble forced by the tough Moapa defense set up another score early in the third. Leading 22-6 in the fourth quarter, the Pirates felt comfortable. Ultimately, the Chargers would score on a long passing touchdown with just under two minutes left. A desperate Clark onside kick attempt headed out of bounds and the Pirates would kneel on it to win 22-14.

“It was really hard hitting and a tough game for us,” said coach Dallas Larsen. “It was definitely the toughest game all season. They were big and physical and the defense was able to rally enough to hold on for the win.”

Both teams, rattled with injuries top to bottom, but coming off of road victories, will head to Virgin Valley this week.