Pirates Prepare For A Landmark Season

By DAVE BELCHER

The Progress

The 2023 high school football season is here! And the Moapa Valley High School football team has spent the last few weeks preparing for this new season. It is yet another shot to regain the state title that the Pirates last won two years ago.

But this season could also bring a milestone for long-time MVHS Head Coach Brent Lewis. This will be his 21st year coaching Pirate football. In that time, Lewis has had 184 wins which places him fifth in total wins among Nevada head coaches in history. With ten wins this season, Lewis would pass legendary Pahranagat Valley football coach Ken Higbee for the fourth place slot.

Last year the Pirates finished the season with an 11-1 record. The team held out until the state semifinals against Truckee, played in California. Truckee went on to win the Nevada state championship in the final game against SLAM Nevada with a score of 40-13.

For the Pirates, it was a season which saw victories over rivals in close games.
Boulder City had led 22-8 at half time in the first meeting only to lose to the Pirates 26-22 in the fourth quarter. The two matched up in the state quarterfinal round played in Moapa Valley. That game took a Pirate touchdown and a two point conversion in the third quarter to get the win for Moapa, 8-7.

The Pirates beat their arch-rival Virgin Valley in the final game of the regular season to retain their grip on the “Hammer.” The final score was 19-6 in the game that was played in Virgin Valley.

The Pirates had to travel to Truckee in the state semi-final. Moapa Valley had beaten SLAM earlier in the season but was the second seed to the Bulls as the Pirates were in the lower half of the state bracket.

The undefeated Pirates were on the road while the SLAM Bulls hosted their state semi-final.
But all that is in the past for the Pirates. This year the team returns four players who will lead the way.

The Pirates will have a new starting quarterback, Talon Schraft a junior. Schraft was the starter from last year’s JV team.

Shandon Matheson who, last year, split time behind the center will be moving to receiver and linebacker positions. His quickness and speed will help the Pirates as he will catch and have a few plays running the ball.

Degan Jones will see many carries coming out of the back field. Last year’s 100 meter state champion in track and field, Jones will provide speed in the Pirates’ power running game.

Mateo Bradshaw will also provide Moapa Valley another good strong runningback. But it will be hard replacing Landon Wrzesinski who led the rushing attack last year with 1279 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Ryan Bellavance will be solid on the line along with Gavyn Frederick. These two will open the holes on offense and fill them on defense.

The Pirates start their season on the road in Hurricane, Utah this Friday night, Aug. 18 at 7 pm Mountain Daylight Time (6 pm Pacific time).

The preseason will continue with the following two games at home. The first against Foothill on Aug. 25; and the second, a meeting with the Chaparral Cowboys on Sept. 1.

Homecoming will be on October 6 against the Pahrump Valley Trojans. The Pirates will host the 23rd annual ‘Hammer Game’ against Virgin Valley on Oct. 20.

2023 Varsity Football Season Schedule

Aug 18 7 PM Hurricane
Aug 25 7 PM Foothill
Sep 01 7 PM Chaparral
Sep 08 6 PM Meadows
Sep 14 7 PM SLAM
Sep 22 7 PM Boulder City
Sep 29 6 PM Mater East
Oct 06 (HOCO) 7 PM Pahrump
Oct 13 7 PM Democracy Prep
Oct 20 7 PM Virgin Valley
Oct 27 Playoff
Nov 04 Playoff
Nov 11 Playoff
Nov 18 State Champion – North

Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change without notice

2023 Pirate Varsity Football Roster

#1- Shandon J Matheson • Sr RB, DB • 5’8”
#2 – Degan Jones • Sr WR, DB • 5’10”
#3 – Isaiah Jackson • Jr WR, DB • 5’6”
#4 – Tyson Redd • Sr RB, DB • 6’0′
#5 – Marc Villa • Jr RB, LB • 5’10”
#6 – Marco Ramirez • Jr WR, DB • 5’7”
#7 – Tanner Hammons • Sr WR, DB • 6’2”
#8 – Branson Romero • Sr TE, DL • 5’11”
#9 – Talon Schraft • Jr QB, DB • 5’11”
#10 – Cash Keller • Sr K, P • 6’0”
#11 – Jacob Dominguez • Sr WR, DB• 5’11”
#12 – Mateo Bradshaw • Jr RB, LB • 5’11”
#13 – Jesus Parra • Jr OLB, RB
#14 – Austin Robinson • Jr TE, DL • 6’0”
#20 – Levi Walker • Jr WR, DB • 5’8”
#23 – Kallin Bosch • Sr RB, LB • 6’0”
#24 – Christopher Piro • Jr RB, LB • 5’10”
#25 – John Zerkle • Jr WR, DB • 5’8”
#40 – Kayden Dixon • Sr WR, DB • 6’0”
#44 – Brandon Leavitt • Jr WR, DB • 5’8”
#50 – Ryan Bellavance • Sr OL, DB • 5’10”
#51 – Jared Evans • Jr OL, DL • 5’11”
#52 – Breckan Turner • Sr OL, DL • 5’10”
#53 – Tony Carrillo Jr. • So OL, LB • 5’10”
#54 – Gavyn Frederick • Jr OL, LB • 5’10”
#55 – Gary Leavitt • Sr OL, DL • 5’8”
#56 – Joshua Lacy • Sr OL, DL • 5’11”
#68 – Garen Staley • Jr OL, DL • 6’2”
#70 – Hunter Neel • Sr OL, DL • 6’2”
#72 – Winford Rowley • Jr OL, DL • 6’2”
#78 – Ben Arb • Jr OLB, TE • 5’11”
#80 – Davis Kohntopp • Sr TE, DL • 5’11”
#88 – Damon Bevan • Jr TE, DL • 6’4”