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Moapa Valley running back Kasen Hughes gets by the Show Low defense during their game at the Sollenberger Classic Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Moapa upset the Arizona Class 4A state champions 28-26.
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 | 11:53 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
When basketball coaching fails, it's back to football talking
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Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer recount their experience coaching the Las Vegas All-Star team against Findlay Prep in basketball and move on to football talk in the 11th Prep Sports Now of the year.
The Moapa Valley High football team typically wins games behind the running of senior tailback Conner Mortensen.
However, he’s not the Pirates’ only capable rusher. Take Friday night’s 36-32 victory against visiting Mojave to send the Pirates to the state semifinals for the seventh straight season as an example.
Mojave was able to partially contain Mortensen, but they couldn’t stop senior Kasen Hughes.
Hughes rushed for 193 yards and two touchdown on 16 carries, helping Moapa Valley open a 16-0 lead in never trailing against a Mojave team that fought until the final whistle.
“We are blessed with more than one good running back,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “I don’t think you can stop all three (Mortensen, Hughes and Sean McConnell) of them on one night.”
Mortensen finished with two touchdowns and 54 yards on 20 carries, and McConnell added 52 yards on eight carries.
Mojave forced two key turnovers in the first half in getting back into the game. First, they recovered a poor snap on a punt inside the Moapa Valley 10-yard line to setup an easy touchdown. Then, with Moapa Valley ahead 23-13 and close to adding to the lead before halftime, Deandre Armstrong recorded an interception in the end zone to halt the scoring drive.
“Give them credit. They played us tough-as-nails in the second half,” Lewis said. “We had them on the ropes early and couldn’t put them away. We gave them a little life and they believed they could beat us.”
Mojave quarterback Zack Arave competed 11-of-19 for 249 yards and three touchdowns in helping the Rattlers rally in the second half. Marcus Hines had three catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown in the final minute.
It capped the best season in school history for Mojave, which won their first playoff game in school history last week by beating Desert Pines. The school opened in 1996 and this was just the second time they reached the postseason.
With several younger players in key positions, coach Joe Delgado knows this season is just the beginning of what he feels will be fielding a competitive team in the Division I-A for seasons to come.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team,” Delgado said in a text message. “We have the opportunity to win it and didn’t capitalize. There is no doubt we left every ounce of our being on the field tonight.”
Moapa Valley (11-1), which is riding an 11-game winning streak, will host Lowry of Northern Nevada in the state semifinals next week. It’s the fourth straight year they’ve host Lowry in the semifinals.
“We needed a game like this. We really did,” Lewis said. “Our backs were up against the wall and we didn’t respond as good as I hoped.”
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
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.
Gotta give credit where credit is due, good job Mojave, you were much tougher than I thought (and probably Moapa players too!). Every other Nevada team Moapa has played has rolled over and gave up after Moapa jumped ahead of them, but to Mojave's credit they didn't, they battled for all 4 quarters. Once Moapa was ahead 16-0 halfway through the 1st, I thought it was going to be another blowout, but Mojave took advantage of bad pass coverage and threw the long 70 yd TD pass and then after some Moapa penalties forced the pirates to punt and the snap sailed way over the punters head and Mojave recovered inside the Moapa 5 yd line and scored on 4th and goal and all of a sudden its 16-13 and it was a battle the rest of the way.
It was Moapa's running attack vs. Mojave's passing attack. Mojave couldn't stop the run, but Moapa couldn't pass while Mojave couldn't run the ball, but was passing all over the place.
Hopefully this was a wake-up call to Moapa. They need to bring their A game the rest of the way. Whoever they end up playing from up north is going to bring it and Moapa needs to respond better when the other team starts making some plays.
This gives us a lot to look forward to in DI for next season. Kudos to Mojave as pretty much everyone didnt think they'd even keep it close.
There is such a thing as a moral victory and this was definitely it. Nothing wrong with accepting that it was well deserved. Hopefully that feeling keeps kids focused during the off season, builds interest, school pride and encourages kids to hit the books and not just stay above a 2.0
The difference in the game was the extra points after scoring touchdowns. Mojave has had problems there all year, Moapa did a good on a couple of 2 point conversions and extra points.
Mojave played great and showed the state that they were for real. The seniors really stepped up. They played hard. I hate to say (moral victory) because they didnt get the victory, but Everyone at or around this programs was so proud of them.
Moapa.. well what can I say about them... they are as good as advertised. The backs run hard and are more athletic than was told. Hughes made runs that I didnt know he could. I new he would be the one Mojave would have a hard time stopping but, he made a believer out of me. He showed real running back skills. They are physical and stronger than they look . Good luck to Moapa and Cheyenne.
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Lowry's defense is looking pretty legit. I'm glad Moapa got this challenge last night to be better prepared for what's coming. Should be a hell of a game against Lowry
While I agree that Lowry is coming on as of late I'm not sure they will matchup with Moapa as well as Mojave did. They will not be as big, strong, or fast. I believe that Mojave's line was the best that Moapa has faced this year, including Blue Ridge from AZ. They were big and strong. Mojave was so ready for the sweep, toss, and anything else to McConnell and Mortensen that they forgot about Hughes (#29). Kudos to Lewis and Jones for riding the hot hand.
Mojave's qb was a stud. He was getting hit hard and hit often. I was impressed by his toughness. He kept getting up. His throws were crisp and on target for the most part. The ball did bounce the way of Mojave a few times. Granted they were in position to take advantage of the bounces. Mojave took advantage of a huge blown coverage from Moapa for their first score. The second score, on a 4th down play, came off a bad snap over the punter's head which the Rattlers recovered at about the Moapa 5(may have been the first time that snap has happened all year). The 3rd was on a nice run by Mojave's qb. The 4th literally bounced off Moapa's db's facemask right into the arms of a receiver. The 5th was a nice, back and forth kick return.
Moapa's qb missed a wide open receiver in the first half and instead threw a pic. Uncharacteristic fumbles from the backfield also occurred. Bottom line is Moapa can not afford these same mistakes Saturday vs Lowry and expect to win. Moapa's run defense was amazing however. Not sure what Mojave's total yards rushing were, but they had approximately 29 carries for 18 yards!
Cut out the fumbles, tighten up the kick return coverage, pound the ground on O, and keep the run defense tough and I think the Pirates will be headed for their 7th consecutive state championship appearance.
*6th consecutive, not 7th
Blueandgold, you were right the first time, if Moapa wins on Saturday they will be in their 7th consecutive championship game.
2006- Virgin Valley 10 Moapa Valley 7
2007- Moapa Valley 35 Virgin Valley 14
2008- Moapa Valley 35 Truckee 16
2009- Truckee 27 Moapa Valley 0
2010- Truckee 27 Moapa Valley 7
2011- Truckee 21 Moapa Valley 6
2012-???
I don't care what league you play in that's pretty impressive!
Oh thanks sportsarefun. Forgot about the 2006 game when i recounted. Too bad Moapa didn't call a timeout at the end of the 3rd quarter and make Virgin kick into the wind right?