Pirates Take Down SLAM, 50-12

By DAVE BELCHER

The Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Football team travel to Faith Lutheran High School on Friday, Mar. 26, where they went up against the SLAM Bulls.

It didn’t take long for the Pirates to take control of the game. SLAM was hounded by the Pirate defense all night.

In the opening minutes of the game, Gunner Redd stepped in front of a SLAM pass at the Bulls 28 yard line, picked it off and returned the ball to the 7 yard line. Landon Wrzinski scored on a seven yard run two plays later. Cameron Reese ran in the two point conversion for a 8-0 Pirate lead.

SLAM scored on their next series when their quarterback ran 29 yards for a touchdown. The kick for the extra point was blocked for an 8-6 Moapa Valley lead.

Wrzesinski scored the second touchdown for the Pirates from the 1 yard line. Redd took the pitch for the 2 point conversion into the endzone for a 16-6 Pirate lead.

SLAM was held on their next drive and punted for 12 yards giving the Pirates the ball at the 39 yard line.

Tight end Justin Proffitt broke open on a slant across the middle where he caught the pass and carried it to the 9 yard line. Austin Heiselbetz took the hand-off on a jet sweep running into the endzone for another Pirate touchdown. The 2-point conversion was incomplete for a 22-6 Moapa Valley lead.

On the ensuing kick off, SLAM fumbled the ball away. The Pirates recovered it and went on to score another touchdown when Carson Heiselbitz ran it in from a yard away. Gunner Redd scored the 2 point conversion for a 30-6 lead.

There was a lot of turnover back and forth in the game. SLAM fumbled their next possession. Then Pirate quarterback Cameron Reese threw an interception in the endzone giving the ball back to SLAM. Moapa Valley fumbled away its next possession and later Reese threw another interception.

A fourth Pirate turnover, a fumble on a QB sack, gave the ball to SLAM at the Pirate 34.
SLAM scored their second touchdown on a fade.

Then Proffitt scored the next Pirate touchdown on a 52 yard pass reception. Redd scored the 2 point conversion for a 44-12 Pirate lead.

The Pirates and SLAM each fumbled on their next possessions before Moapa Valley scored the final touchdown, a Carson Heiselbetz run for 23 yardsfor the final score of 50-12.

The Pirates will travel to Virgin Valley where they will play the Bulldogs in the Hammer game at the Mesquite sports complex. No spectators will be allowed at the venue. But the Hammer Game will be livestreamed over an online platform as with other games this season.