Members of the Chaparral High School football team, from left, Tyray Collins, Julius Hernandez, Trayvius Hodge and Victor Sanchez pose for a portrait at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day August 2, 2017, at the South Point.
Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 | 10:34 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Show up, ball out
Las Vegas Sun's Ray Brewer and Case Keefer toast all the area teams who defeated out of state competition in week 1, and look forward to an almost-as-loaded week 2 schedule.
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The pass came to Chaparral’s TyRay Collins near the sideline and three Pahrump Valley defenders were nearby ready to make a tackle. It looked as if the play would result in negative yardage.
But Collins quickly turned up field and raced past everyone for an electrifying 71-yard touchdown. Not only was Collins able to score without being touched, there was nobody within an arm’s reach of slowing him down.
Chaparral used its speed — and not just from Collins — to overwhelm Pahrump in a 34-6 victory. The Cowboys, which have played in the past two 3A state semifinals, improved to 2-0 on the season as they eye a deeper playoff run this fall.
When the ball is in Collins’ hands, that appears to be possible. He had three interceptions and two touchdowns last week against Bonanza, and this week had touchdowns on two of his three offensive touches. Last spring, he took second in state in track’s 100 meters.
“I practice on getting up the field,” said Collins, who had one carry for 50 yards and a touchdown, and two catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.
And when Collins wasn’t giving the Pahrump defense fits, his teammates got into the act. The other tailbacks also showed their speed.
Sophomore quarterback Joe Tauili’ili completed 6-of-6 passes for 174 yards and added five carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Twins Dylan and Darius Disroe were able to get into open space out of the backfield, and 6-foot-3 receiver Demetreus Jackson was a big target in the passing game.
Collins and Darius Disroe had touchdowns in the fourth quarter on consecutive offensive plays to help Chaparral pull away late.
“There are things you can coach, and things you can’t coach — that’s instinct,” Chaparral coach Paul Nihipali said. “He knows what to do when we get him the ball.”
But Nihipali, who has coached at Chaparral since the 1990s, was quick to point out the Cowboys’ mistakes. In the first quarter, for instance, they drove the ball to the Pahrump 2-yard line but turned over the ball on a fumble. Pahrump converted the miscue into a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
If Chaparral is to reach the next round of the playoffs, Nihipali knows they have to limit the mistakes. That’s especially true considering the opponent next week — Eldorado in “The Cleat” rivalry game, which many feel is one of Las Vegas’ most storied rivalries.
“A lot of energy. A lot of good players,” Nihipali said. “But we aren’t disciplined. We have to get everyone on the same page. We are heading in the right direction right now, but we still have a lot of odds and ends. But our kids, they’ll be OK. Our kids never quit.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
