Pirates Shut Out Trojans, 42-0

By DAVE BELCHER

The Progress

MVHS senior Gunner Redd picks off a Pahrump pass away from Trojan senior Henry Amaya just before half time at Friday night’s home game.
Redd would then go on to run the ball 20 yards to the endzone. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress.

It was another return to Friday night lights and Pirate Football at Jeff Keel Stadium on Friday, Sept. 17. The Pahrump Valley team returned to Moapa Valley for this non-league contest. They were soundly defeated by the Pirates, 42-0.

The Trojans were playing only their second game of the season due to extensive COVID-19 quarantines in Pahrump. They came to the game with a 0-1 record with the loss going to Virgin Valley.
Moapa Valley was coming in to the game with a 3-0 record as the top ranked team in the state 3A division.

The game started slow as the teams sized each other up on both offense and defense. The Pirates started moving the ball midway through the first quarter but ended their drive with turnover on a fumble.

It wouldn’t be until the second quarter when Peyton Neilson found Austin Heiselbetz on a quick slant across the middle for a 12 yard touchdown pass. With 8:38 remaining in the half. Craig Anderson kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Amidst a pitched battle at the line of scrimmage, MVHS senior Ben Jolley slides through
a gap into the endzone and caps off a shutout game against Pahrump, 42-0. POTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress.

Pahrump Valley’s next possession ended exactly 48 seconds later. A toss in the backfield was fumbled right in front of MVHS senior Sam Wheeler who picked the ball up and returned it 15 yards to the endzone for the second Pirate touchdown of the game. Andersons kick scored the 14 point for the Pirates.

The onslaught continued from there. The Trojans weren’t done turning the ball over. On their next possession, Heiselbetz picked a Pahrump pass at the 50 yard line and returned it to the Trojan 24. Landon Wrezsinski finished the Pirate drive with a 2 yard run. The successful extra point gave the Pirates a 21-0 lead with 4:15 to play in the half.

Pirate senior Gunner Redd would score the Pirates next touchdown with a 20 yard reception from Neilson with :39 seconds left in the half. He would score again just 19 seconds later when he picked another Trojan pass and returned the ball 49 yards diving into the end zone. Anderson was perfect on the night with extra points. Moapa Valley held a 35-0 lead going into halftime.

The second half started with a running clock. The Pirates scored their final touchdown when MVHS senior Ben Jolley scored from a yard out. The final score was 42-0 as the Pirates earned their first shutout of the season.

Moapa Valley will play the Rancho Rams this Friday night at Rancho High School. Rancho is 1-1 with a win over Cadence and a loss to SLAM.