Moapa Valley takes down rival Virgin Valley for 3A Southern League title

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 | 9:12 p.m.

Zach Waite’s four touchdowns Saturday lifted the Moapa Valley High football team to a 33-21 victory against Virgin Valley in the 3A Southern League title game.

Moapa Valley advances to the 3A state semifinals, where it will host Lowry High of Winnemucca at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

Moapa Valley also beat Virgin Valley last week, topping their rivals 7-6 in the regular season finale. The game was meaningless, however, because both teams were already guaranteed a spot in the three-team league’s title game.

Moapa Valley scored on its first play from scrimmage in the title game when quarterback Kelan Weiss connected with Shane Terril for a 70-yard touchdown.

But Virgin Valley scored the next two touchdowns for a 14-7 advantage.

“When we scored that first touchdown, our kids maybe thought it would be easier than we expected,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “That wasn’t the case. Virgin was the aggressor.”

Moapa Valley took advantage of a special teams miscue by Virgin Valley late in the second quarter for a 19-14 halftime advantage. Virgin Valley had problems getting the ball to the punter and Moapa Valley received possession at the 1-yard line.

Waite scored one of his four touchdowns for the eventual game-winner. Lewis said Waite’s four touchdowns game on consecutive carries.