prep football preview:

Pahrump ready to snap two-year losing skid

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Pahrump Valley High has not won a football game in two years.

In its first year in 4A last season, the Trojans went 0-9 and lost by an average of 35 points. But a new season bring optimism for the Trojans, who like every team in town, enters the season with a fresh slate.

“They’re starting to come around,” Pahrump coach Leo Verzilli said. “That’s our main goal, to be competitive with these teams.”

Verzilli has pounded that idea into the heads of his players at every opportunity this off season. He tells them they are just as fast as any of the teams they will play this year.

He tells them they are just as strong. Most of all, he wants the Trojans to believe they can win.

“Not everyone is Superman in 4A,” Verzilli said. “You have to keep reinforcing that in Vegas, they are just 16, 17, 18 year-olds just like you.”

The Trojans will count on a new group of players to turn the program around this season. They have 10 returning starters, but graduated most of the leaders from last year’s team.

Pahrump’s junior varsity team had a winning record last season and most of those players will be on the varsity this fall.

Offensively, Verzilli said the Trojans would primarily rely on running the ball. Defensively, they will run the 4-3.

“We’re telling our kids that no one in Vegas wants to be the first team to lose to Pahrump,” Verzilli said. “Somebody’s got to be the first, so we might as well make it the first game.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or at case.keefer@lasvegassun.com.

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