Pirates Dispatch Western, 42-0

By DAVE BELCHER

The Progress

Moapa Valley High School Head Football Coach Brent Lewis will be a little lighter in his wallet this week. His Moapa Valley football team earned a pizza party with a 42-0 shutout on Friday night, Oct. 8 at Western High School in Las Vegas.

The Warriors have struggled this season, coming into the game with just one win.

The Pirates started their first drive after receiving the open kickoff at their 20 yardline. The drive ended when quarterback Peyton Nielson found Dustin Gordon for a 21 yard touchdown pass giving the Pirates a 7-0 lead.

One of two Western bright spots during the game came during the Pirates’ punt on their second possession. The punt travelled to midfield and was returned to the Pirate 26 yardline. Finally, it would result in a failed field goal attempt by the Warriors, turning the ball over to the Pirates at their own 20 yard line.

It took just one play for the Pirates to score. Landon Wrzesinski caught a screen pass to the left. Behind a wall of Pirate blocks, Wrzenski ran 80 yards for the second Pirate touchdown. Anderson kicked the extra point for a 14-0 Pirate lead.

Western then fumbled on their first play on the next possession. Joe Whitmore recovered for the Pirates at the 11-yardline.

On the very next play, Neilson found Gunner Redd for the 11-yard touchdown. The score was 21-0 after Craig Anderson’s kick with 1:23 to play in the first half.

Moapa Valley would get the ball again before time ran out on the half. After the kickoff, Western threw a deep pass. Austin Heiselbetz picked it giving the Pirates a first and ten at their own 43.

The Pirates would score their fourth touchdown when Neilson threw a 6 yard touchdown to Gordon for a 28-0 lead.

After a series that Neilson threw an interception, he returned with a 48 yard bomb to Redd giving the Pirates a 35-0 lead and a running clock once Anderson kicked the extra point.

The final touchdown of the game came in the third quarter when Wrzesinski ended a Pirate’s drive with a 7-yard touchdown run and with the extra point gave the Pirates a 42-0 win.

The Pirates now have a 7-0 record overall and 3-0 in league play.

Neilson finished with 178 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. Gordon and Redd each caught two touchdown passes.

Next week the Pirates will host Clark High School, a 4A team from Las Vegas that is 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the 4A mountain league. This will be the Pirates toughest game yet.

Game time is 7PM with Homecoming festivities beginning at 6:30.