Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

high school football:

Virgin Valley comes up with big second half in 28-25 victory at Chaparral

2012 Prep Football Teams

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Virgin Valley football players Dee Bowler, Dillon Graves, Christian Aguirre, Tyson Teerlink and Jared Walther Thursday, July 26, 2012.

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If Virgin Valley can figure out how to play well off the bus, coach Chris Sawyers said, then it will really be in business. As it is, the Bulldogs had enough in the second half to hold off Chaparral and improve to 4-1 with a 28-25 road victory.

“We didn’t put it together but a win is a win,” Sawyers said. “We’re not ecstatic, but it’s better than losing.”

Virgin Valley trailed 12-6 at halftime but then stormed back to take a 22-12 lead. Sawyers’ halftime speech may not be hall-of-fame worthy, but it got the desired result.

“I tried to find the right button to push and all I could come up with was scream at them,” Saywers said.

Quarterback Garret Leavitt went 7-of-10 for 119 yards and a touchdown pass to Dillon Graves, and Dee Bowler paced the Bulldogs on the ground with 206 yards and two scores on 20 carries.

Chaparral made it close down the stretch but the Bulldogs came up with just enough plays. Next time Virgin Valley hits the road, Sawyers would like to see those plays a bit earlier.

“If we play the first half like we did in the second,” Sawyers said, “then it’s not a close game.”

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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