Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Mojave bounces back with convincing win at Pahrump

high school football media day 2015

Christopher DeVargas

Mojave football players Tariq Banks, Daijon Payno, and Kyle Reynolds before the 2015 Season.

Fresh off its worst loss since 2011, Mojave (2-1) walked into one of the most hostile environments in all of Southern Nevada high school football Friday night.

The Rattlers responded.

Senior quarterback Lamaja Cunningham threw for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and ran for 104 yards and another score in Mojave’s 40-7 onslaught over Pahrump Valley (1-2).

“We did a great job picking up from last week’s loss (41-6 vs. Desert Pines) and started conference play off on the right foot,” said Mojave coach Joe Delgado. “We still made some mistakes offensively, but those will be corrected.”

But where the offense was lacking, the defense made up for it.

The Rattlers’ defense forced three interceptions and held Pahrump Valley scoreless in the first half.

On the ground, Mojave spread the ball around, with Blake Fitzgerald running for 84 yards and a touchdown and Elijah Smoot running for 34 yards and a score.

Taiwan Braden was Cunningham’s favorite target; he finished with three catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

“We have a few (players) coming off injury next week and should be a little more solid all around,” Delgado said.

Next Friday the Rattlers host Sierra Vista (1-2), and Pahrump will visit Western.

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.

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