SLAM Gives Bulldogs First Loss

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

Here is just a sampling of what happened to the Virgin Valley High School football team Friday night in Mesquite: two touchdowns called back, dropped passes, two muffed kick returns, turnovers in both the red zone and deep in their own territory.
Yes, it was that kind of night.

But despite all of that, the Bulldogs still had a chance to win or pull even late in the contest.
Visiting SLAM Nevada was the beneficiary of the Bulldogs’ shortcomings as the Bulls hung on to defeat Virgin Valley, 21-14, inside Evan Wilson Stadium.

It was Virgin Valley’s first loss of the season, dropping the Bulldogs to 4-1 as they conclude non-league play. SLAM improved to 4-2 with its fourth straight win.
“We just didn’t play well,” VVHS head coach Matt Woods said. “Didn’t take advantage of our opportunities. It was ugly at times. We’ve got to be better than that.”

Part of the reason may have been the rash of injuries the Bulldogs have suffered this season.
“We had to move kids into different places on the field and we were coaching them on the fly,” Woods said. “We knew coming in it would be a challenge with kids learning new positions. But, it is what it is. Bottom line, we’ve got to do better. That includes me.”

The Bulldogs gift-wrapped SLAM’s first score. After going three-and-out on their first series, the Bulldogs had a bad snap that went over the punter’s head and was recovered by the Bulls at the Virgin Valley one-yard line. Joe Kuykendall scored on the next play to put the Bulls up 7-0 just 90 seconds into the contest.

It was the first time Virgin Valley has trailed in a game this season.
On SLAM’s next possession, the Bulls scored on a 68-yard run by Blayz Mcghee off a double-reverse to lead 14-0 with 1:55 left in the opening quarter.

The Bulldogs used 15 plays to march from their 19-yard line to the SLAM 13, coming up empty on fourth down. The Bulls then proceeded to go 87 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 30-yard scramble by Kuykendall to put SLAM up 21-0 at halftime.
“I challenged the kids at halftime,” Woods said. “I wanted to see how they would respond.”

Virgin Valley went 68 yards in 16 plays on its first possession of the second half scoring on a six-yard pass from Gavin Brown to Jimmy Kelly. Edgar Perez booted the point after cutting the margin to 21-7 with 3:39 to go in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs closed the gap to 21-14 with 8:35 to play on Brown’s 12-yard TD pass to Kelly.
After the Bulls missed a 35-yard field goal attempt, Virgin Valley had one final chance. The Bulldogs drove into SLAM territory in the final minute, but an interception at the 11-yard line by Mcghee sealed the victory for the Bulls.

The Bulldogs will open league play this Friday hosting Rancho of North Las Vegas at 7 p.m. at Wilson Stadium.
“We’ve got lots of work to do this week,” Woods said. “Rancho is big and physical. Very athletic. We better come ready to play.”