Moapa Valley takes round one in the Hammer Game

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 | 11 p.m.

Despite an error-filled evening, Moapa Valley trudged past rival Virgin Valley 7-6 in the battle for the hammer.

The visiting Pirates had the ball within the 10-yard line five times in the game but only managed to score one touchdown.

“It sounds like a defensive battle, but we should have scored a lot more,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said.

Moapa scored its only touchdown on the final play before halftime. Quarterback Kelan Weiss stretched out over the goal line for a rushing score.

The Bulldogs struck late in the third quarter and opted to go for two. Moapa stopped the attempt and held on for the rest of the game.

“On our end, we felt like we didn’t play as well as we should have,” Lewis said. “We played well except for the 10-yard line in.”

The win gives Moapa home field for the 3A state semifinals next week, when it plays a grudge match against Virgin.

“We definitely wanted to play at our place,” Lewis said. “I think it will be a little different game. Neither team wanted to show too much tonight. We didn’t run any of our more complicated stuff.”