Moapa Valley falls in state title game to Churchill County

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 | 3:42 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 | 7:22 p.m.

All season we talked about which Southern Nevada high school football team would win the Division I-A state championship — Moapa Valley or Desert Pines.

Churchill County of Fallon had other ideas.

Churchill County denied Moapa Valley in its quest to repeat as state champions, shutting out the Overton school in the fourth quarter to hang on for a 34-27 victory at Reno High School.

Moapa Valley scored on its initial possession of the third quarter for a 20-19 advantage to erase an early 13-0 deficit. However, Churchill County drove the length of the field on its ensuing possession to take the lead for good.

This isn’t the first time Moapa Valley finished one win shy of a state championship. They are a powerhouse in Southern Nevada, advancing to nine of the past 10 title games. However, they’ve won just three championships.

“I absolutely loved coaching this team this year,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “No-one gave us a shot to play for the title this year, so it is a testament to the heart of these kids, and especially to my coaching staff, my heart is broken for them. One or two plays was the difference in the game. As a coach I couldn’t ask anything more of this team.”

Last year was the exception. They trailed Desert Pines by three touchdowns entering the fourth quarter, but rallied to force overtime and win in dramatic fashion.

The Pirates, though, couldn’t duplicate the fourth-quarter rally today.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21