Kazel hoping to boost team’s physical game

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

Boulder City High School coach Alex Kazel said his team learned a lesson in its 35-13 loss to Moapa Valley Oct. 3 to open 3A Southern League play.

The Eagles need to be more physical if they want to be successful against league opponents, the coach said.

"We were physical against Mohave and River Valley, but that was a whole different level," Kazel said. "We'll see how they respond. This group has responded every time we've asked them to."

The Eagles (3-2, 0-1 3A Southern League) hope to use that lesson against San Diego's La Jolla Country Day (3-1) on Oct. 17.

La Jolla has won three consecutive Pacific League titles in the California Interscholastic Federation's San Diego Section.

"We'll face a similar offense to what we run, and we know they can put points on the board," Kazel said.

Boulder City allowed Moapa Valley to rush for 438 yards, with senior running back Brad Weiss doing most of the damage. He gained 253 yards and two touchdowns for the Pirates (3-2, 1-0).

"It was a chance to see where we are at with this team," Boulder City junior lineman Tate Boyster said.

Weiss' first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 28 yard run and gave Moapa Valley a 7-0 lead.

The Pirates got a second touchdown and were up 13-0 before the Eagles scored on a 7-yard run by senior running back Jeremy Smith to cut the deficit to 13-7 at the half. Smith led the Eagles in rushing with 30 yards on six carries and also had three receptions for 35 yards.

The Pirates, however, scored 22 consecutive points in the second half and led 35-7 in the fourth quarter. Boulder City got its second score when Smith caught a 5-yard pass from senior quarterback Jake Phillips. Phillips went 8 for 13 for 81 yards.

"That was our best passing game of the season," Boyster said. "We can build on that."

Moapa Valley had 487 total yards and held Boulder City to 160 yards, its lowest production of the season.

The Eagles didn't turn the ball over in the game, but couldn't recover any of Moapa Valley's three fumbles.

"The ball just bounced their way," Kazel said.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-7822 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.