Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

high school football:

Defense steps up in critical moment to keep Desert Pines undefeated

2013 Prep Football

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Desert Pines football players Eric Wilkes, Tim Hough and Malik Davis July 30, 2013.

Prep Sports Now

Recapping Gorman's scare, Green Valley's survival

Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer glance back at last week's action, which included three of the best games of the year. Ensuing questions include debating the Sunrise Region's favorite, Bishop Gorman's vulnerability and Foothill's potential.

Desert Pines was caught looking ahead to a showdown with Moapa Valley and nearly paid for it against Chaparral.

But when it mattered, Desert Pines found a way to pull out the victory.

With one yard separating the Cowboys and paydirt, the Jaguars defense stiffened and stopped Chaparral’s attempted score.

The seconds ticked off the clock, handing Desert Pines a 23-22 victory.

“You can preach all week for a trap game. Kids will be kids, they’re looking ahead,” Desert Pines coach Tico Rodirguez said. “It was a learning experience.”

It was the second come-from-behind victory in as many weeks, as the Jaguars needed a score with two seconds remaining to beat Virgin Valley last week.

“They’re finding ways to win,” Rodriguez said. “They can go deep within themselves and find the will to win.”

But Rodriguez didn’t want to take anything away from the Cowboys (3-5, 1-3) either. He gave them plenty of praise.

“They had a great game plan,” Rodriguez said. “They came in, played hard and gave us a tough contest."

Regardless, the Jaguars (8-0, 4-0 Division I-A Sunrise) remained unbeaten, and the rally preserves an epic match-up with perennial power (and fellow undefeated team) Moapa Valley with a Division I-A Sunrise region title on the line.

“We can’t have the mistakes we had today,” Rodriguez said. “We have to play smarter football and minimize penalties and turnovers to have a chance to beat Moapa.”

Senior quarterback Iquan Corsey went 5-for-10 for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Eric Wilkes rushed for 66 yards on eight carries and caught a 42-yard touchdown pass. Malik Davis grabbed a touchdown reception, while Tim Hough ran back a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Paul Delos Santos can be reached at 990-2416 or mail to [email protected]. Follow Paul on Twitter at twitter.com/pauliedelos.

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