Eagles open league play against Moapa

Boulder City High's football team begins 3A Southern League play at Moapa Valley on Oct. 3.

"There's a long history with them. It's Moapa and a league game. I don't need to say anything else," Boulder City coach Alex Kazel said.

The Eagles (3-1) have won three consecutive games since a season-opening loss to Basic on Aug. 29.

Moapa Valley (2-2) lost its last game 41-20 to Delta, Utah, on Sept. 19.

The Pirates are the defending 3A state champions and are led by senior quarterback Max Jenkins and senior running back Brad Weiss.

Weiss was the league's leading rusher last year and has run for 461 yards and three touchdowns this season. Jenkins has thrown for 657 yards and six touchdowns.

"This is an opportunity to prove ourselves in the league. We have to go out and earn their respect," Kazel said.

Moapa Valley has won three of the last four meetings, including a 44-14 win in Boulder City last year.

The Eagles last win against the Pirates was a 27-16 victory in 2005.

Eagles senior running back Spencer Sasarita, the league's No. 2 rusher behind Weiss, said the Eagles can't be concerned with last year's game.

"We're a different team now than we were last year," he said. "They're still a good team, and it'll be tough, but we're a better team now."

Boulder City junior quarterback Ryan Washburn said depth will be a key for the game and coming off a bye week will help.

"We have to keep guys fresh and not let up on Moapa," Washburn said. "This is our biggest game of the season."

Kazel said the time off gave him and his coaching staff a chance to work on fixing areas in which the team has struggled.

"We got a lot done. I'd rather have played a game. We worked on blocking and tackling, the little things we can get better at," Kazel said.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 948-2074 or [email protected].