Bulldogs Beat Pahrump, Advance To Semi-Finals

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

The longer Virgin Valley extends its season, the more it gives players who were injured early in the year time to heal up and return to the field.

The Bulldogs guaranteed themselves another week of football as they punched their ticket to the 3A state semifinals by thoroughly dominating Desert League champion Pahrump Valley 35-0 on Friday night in Pahrump.

The victory sends Virgin Valley, which improved to 9-2 overall, north to face Elko (7-2) on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Elko High School. The Indians advanced by defeating Fernley, 46-38, at home Saturday for their sixth straight win.

“Elko is big, physical and likes to wear teams down by running the football,” VVHS head coach Matt Woods said. “They have a good running back and like to use him. I’m sure they will try to dominate the line of scrimmage. We’ve got to step up and be ready to play some physical football.”

The Bulldogs turned in an impressive all-around performance on Friday. Virgin Valley dominated Pahrump Valley on both sides of the ball, holding the Trojans to just 93 yards of total offense while piling up 300 yards, mostly through the air.

“Our guys were locked in,” Woods said. “I thought we played great. I’m really happy with the way we played.”

It was the fourth time Virgin Valley has defeated Pahrump Valley in the last seven months, all of them coming on the road. The Trojans finished their season at 4-4.

The Bulldogs, who were hit hard by the injury bug early in the season, are getting healthier having gotten a couple of two-way starters back two weeks ago. More help could also be on the way.
“We’re as healthy as we’ve been since the first quarter of our first game,” Woods said. “There’s a slight chance we could get another player back this week.”

The Bulldogs scored on their first three possessions against Pahrump Valley to take control of the game.
Quarterback Gavin Brown, who completed 14 of 18 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns, tossed a 15-yard scoring strike to Ashten Roman late in the first quarter. Edgar Perez booted the point after putting the Bulldogs up 7-0.

Brown added a 45-yard TD pass to Benson Leavitt and scored on a nine-yard run in the second quarter to give Virgin Valley a 21-0 halftime advantage.

Meanwhile, the Bulldog defense held the Trojans to just 27 yards of offense. The defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass in the second half to help ensure the shutout.

Brown scored on a two-yard run with 8:36 to go in the third quarter to increase the lead to 27-0. Brown fired a 21-yard TD pass to Leavitt with 8:30 remaining to cap the scoring.
“I feel good where we’re at,” Woods said. “I like the way our kids are locked in right now. They’ve played their butts off.”