Bulldogs Win A Shutout Against Del Sol

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

The Virgin Valley High School football team got contributions from all four phases of the game — running, passing, defense and special teams – in a dominating performance against host Del Sol Academy on Friday night, Aug. 20 in Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs ran for three touchdowns, passed for two and returned a punt for a score while the defense allowed only two first downs in a 46-0 victory over the Dragons to kick off the 2021 prep campaign.

“Obviously, I’m pleased with the win,” said VVHS head coach Matt Woods. “We saw some good things on both sides of the ball. Overall, I thought we played well for it being the first game of the season.”

The Bulldogs wasted little time in taking control. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard in four plays as quarterback Gavin Brown, making his Virgin Valley debut, connected with Cutler Crandall on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Brown threw a two-point conversion pass to Ashten Roman putting VVHS up 8-0.

On their next possession, the Bulldogs scored again when running back Eathan Workman raced into the end zone from 15 yards out. Brown ran in the conversion to make it 16-0.

Virgin Valley, which never had to punt, upped its advantage to 24-0 after one quarter of play when Brown threw a 25-yard scoring strike to Jimmy Kelly and then found Benson Leavitt open for the two-point conversion.

Brown, a senior, completed 8-of-10 passes for 150 yards and rushed for 25 yards on six carries.
“I thought Gavin threw the ball really well for us,” Woods said. “He also did a nice running the ball.”

Brown scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter and ran in the conversion to increase the margin to 32-0. Javen Laub followed by scoring on an eight-yard run and Leavitt kicked the point after giving Virgin Valley a commanding 39-0 lead at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Bulldogs closed out the scoring on Jared Jensen’s 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. Leavitt added the PAT.

“I thought our skill players played well,” Woods said. “They caused some matchup problems for their defense. Ashten (Roman) had a nice game. He made some great catches.”

The Bulldogs will host Eldorado High School of Las Vegas this Friday at 7 p.m. in their home opener on the new artificial surface inside Evan Wilson Stadium. The Sundevils, who dropped from 4-A to 3-A this season, lost to Moapa Valley 48-12 in their first game last Friday.

“We’re looking for improvement in our next game, which happens to be Eldorado,” Woods said.