Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 | 11:46 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Are Centennial, Canyon Springs in the elite?
There are topics aplenty on this week's episode after an eventful slate of games. Centennial and Canyon Springs, most notably, presented arguments for being included with the best teams in town. Are Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer buying the Bulldogs and Pioneers? Listen in on the debate, a discussion on touchdown celebrations and a breakdown of this week's games.
Virgin Valley experienced overwhelming relief and sheer frustration in a matter of seconds in its 26-20 overtime victory over host Mojave Friday night.
Leading 20-13, the Bulldogs converted a fourth-and-one from their own 35-yard line with three minutes remaining to all but seal a victory. They planned to run the ball and take the rest of the time off the clock until the next snap sailed over the quarterback’s head.
Mojave recovered the fumbled and drove for a touchdown to send the contest into overtime.
“We had game salted away, but we messed it up,” Virgin Valley coach Chris Sawyers said. “But it was good for us to get into a tight ballgame. We needed that close game to grow.”
Mojave took the ball first in overtime and Virgin Valley stuffed the Rattlers' attempts at the end zone. Virgin Valley found itself in a precarious position when it was on offense — fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
“I thought about kicking the field goal,” Sawyers said. “But honestly, I thought the percentages would favor us going for it.”
Sure enough, Dee Bowler battered his way into the end zone for the game-winning two-yard touchdown run. Bowler was the rock the Bulldogs leaned on all night, as he finished with 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Garrett Leavitt passed for 185 yards and a touchdown, completing six of 15 passes. Tyson Teerlink was his favorite target with four receptions and 90 yards.
Despite the late surge from Mojave to send the game into overtime, Virgin Valley never trailed.
Mojave High School is Rattler Nation, but really it’s home to underdogs.
Minutes from the Nellis Air Force Base the school is nestled near Commerce Street and West Ann Road, an area littered with foreclosed homes.
The school is attended by many students who are underprivileged or at-risk. After Mojave failed to meet No Child Left Behind standards it became one of five Clark County Schools determined to do a 180.
In order to make the turnaround a reality, Mojave has implemented new faculty, extended the school day by 20 minutes and is geared towards boosting school spirit.
“The problem we have right now is that our children aren’t proud of their own school,” Mojave principal Antonio Rael explained an August interview. “When our children begin to take pride in our school, our community will follow.”
- Year built:
- 1997
- Mascot:
- Rattle Snake
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Antonio Rael (2001)
- School motto:
- “Promoting Achievement, Creating Success”
- Mission Statement:
- “The Mission of the Mojave High School Community is to provide a safe learning environment that will empower students to develop excellence, pride, respect, and skills necessary for future success.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,000
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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