By LOU MARTIN
The Progress
Despite 100-degree-plus weather, the Virgin Valley High School Football team began practices on Monday, August 1. VVHS Head Coach Matt Woods greeted approximately 60 of Virgin Valley’s finest who will battle for spots on the varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams.
The Bulldogs are still stinging a bit from their 27-14 loss at the 3A Championship game to archrival Moapa Valley last November. The Bulldogs went 12-3 in 2021 and hope to repeat as Desert League Champions.
The Bulldogs return 24 athletes from last year’s squad. Plus they add three newcomers whom Coach Woods is counting on to go big this year.
“The kids have been working hard all summer in the weight room and they are stronger,” said Woods. “Hopefully we will keep injuries to a minimum which increases our chances to compete at the high level expected.”
Woods said that the Bulldog offense has not really changed much. “But we are going to run more this year riding the backs of last year’s freshman lineman, Alex Valle, Jacob Nelson and Dominic Piazza,” Woods said. “All are stronger and bigger after months in the weight room.”
The Bulldogs offense will be led by newcomer quarterback Gunner Cortez. Cortez transferred in from Pahrump.
Curt Felix, a junior this year who helped the Dawgs to the 3A Baseball Championships last spring is also joining the football squad this fall. In addition, senior Isaiah Freeling is returning.
They will be handing the ball off to a bevy of runningbacks including newcomer Nemo Flatt, Stratton Waite and Jared Jensen who will be splitting time from his wide-out position.
The Dawgs continue to be strong at that position with Cutler Crandall, transfer Chase Otteson, Martin Jordan, Waite and Jensen.
Tight end Trey Hafen gives the Bulldog QBs a big target. The defense will find Valle, Piazza, Nelson in the middle of the line assisted by Chandon Jensen and the Nevada’s only female ‘lineperson’ Ana Tausinga.
The linebacker corps is strong with Jordan, Cutler, and Hunter Ottison.
The defensive backfield will feature returnees Freeling, Waite and Jensen.
“Our weight room again will be a huge part of our program as the kid’s bulk up and get stronger for a demanding schedule,” added Woods. “Skyler has done a great job with the weight room and the players have responded by never missing a workout.”
“The key again is to stay healthy,” Woods said. “Injuries killed us last year. So conditioning must be stressed. The teams who have most of their players for the stretch run will have the advantage.”
Woods views the league as wide open with Pahrump, Boulder City, Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley as leading contenders.
The Bulldogs will have their first matchup on the road at Eldorado on August 19.
“That could be interesting as they have all new coaches,” Woods said of the Eldorado program.
The Dawgs defeated Eldorado 47-0 and 52-12 last season.
The Bulldogs follow their opening with another away game against 4A Chaparral High School. That will be one of the Thursday Night Lights Game on local television. It will be aired at 7 pm on August 25.
The Bulldogs will host their first home game against Pahrump Valley on September 2 at 7 pm. The Dawgs easily defeated the Trojans 42-18 and 35-0 last season.
That game starts a 3-game home stand with Boulder City coming on Sept. 16, and Losee coming on Sept. 23.
The Bulldogs Homecoming game will be on Oct. 7 against Valley High School.
The Hammer Game against Moapa Valley will be played in Mesquite this year on Oct. 21.
Varsity Football Season Schedule
Aug 19 6 PM Eldorado
Aug 25 7 PM Chaparral
Sep 02 7 PM Pahrump
Sep 16 7 PM Boulder City
Sep 23 7 PM Losee
Sep 30 6 PM Rancho
Oct 07 (HOCO) 7 PM Valley
Oct 14 7 PM Western
Oct 21 7 PM Moapa Valley
Oct 27 Playoff
Nov 04 Playoff
Nov 12 Playoff
Nov 19 State Champion – South
Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change without notice
JV Football Season Schedule
Aug 19 4 PM Eldorado
Aug 26 4 PM Chaparral
Sep 02 4 PM Pahrump
Sep 16 4 PM Boulder City
Sep 30 4 PM Rancho
Oct 07 4 PM Valley
Oct 14 4 PM Western
Oct 21 4 PM Moapa Valley
Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change without notice
