Moapa Valley Pirates, from left, Dennis Whitmore (75), Nate Cox (12) and RJ Hubert (11) during Las Vegas Sun’s High School Football media day, Monday, July 27, 2015.
Published Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 | 3:44 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 | 4:02 p.m.
One down. One to go.
The defending Division I-A state champion Moapa Valley High football team beat visiting Elko 17-0 today in the state semifinals, earning another appearance in the state championship game.
Next week, the Pirates travel to Northern Nevada to face Churchill County of Fallon, which erased a two-touchdown deficit in the first half against Chaparral for a 40-27 win.
Starting in 2006, Moapa Valley has played in nine of 10 state championship games. In 2013, when they lost in the semifinals, it was to a familiar opponent: Fallon.
“Fallon is the type of team with no superstar,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “They just have solid kids all across the field.”
Trystin Deal caught a short touchdown pass from Nate Cox in the first half to give Moapa Valley the lead for good. Utah commit RJ Hubert added a 15-yard touchdown run one minute before halftime.
The Moapa Valley defense did the rest in keeping Elko off the scoreboard. Last year, Moapa Valley limited Elko to seven points in the state semifinals. This year, the Pirates were even better, limiting Elko to less than 200 yards.
“A little bend, but don’t break,” Lewis said.
Moapa Valley rushed for 321 yards, including 121 yards on 15 carries by Deal.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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