Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

kickoff 2017:

Moapa Valley holds on late to fight off Sunrise Mountain’s strong upset bid

Las Vegas Sun HS Football Media Day 2017

Christopher DeVargas

Members of the Moapa Valley High School football team, from left, Daxton Longman, Tyler Holmes and Logan Jaskson pose for a portrait at the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day August 2, 2017, at the South Point.

Prep Sports Now

First Football Show

Las Vegas Sun sports editors Ray Brewer and Case Keefer welcome back football season by going through all the leagues, and also touch on major storylines. They also disagree on picks for numerous week 1 games.

A defensive stand on a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter led Moapa Valley to a season-opening 13-12 victory over Sunrise Mountain in Overton.

The Pirates were able to keep the Miners out of the end zone a second time after Trayvon Ward returned a kickoff 90 yards to give the home crowd a scare.

“It was a pretty ugly game on both sides,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “There were plenty of penalties and mistakes, but we found a way to win.”

Sunrise Mountain’s upset bid came up just short, despite Ward starring with more 100 rushing yards to go with his return touchdown. The Miners struck first in the game when Damani Wilks found Xavier Kyle for a 44-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Moapa Valley answered in the second with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Daxton Longman to Derek Reese. The Pirates added another score in the final minutes when Leo Rios broke loose for a 29-yard rush, but Ward returned the ensuing kickoff.

Lewis didn’t think his team played particularly well, but they emerged when it mattered. Longman was a bright spot, as he completed 12 of 17 passes for 207 yards.

Logan Jackson led the Pirates in rushing with 44 yards on 10 carries.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.