The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans opened their 2025 season preparations with a preseason scrimmage against Mojave High School on Friday, August 15 in Las Vegas. Facing the reigning Nevada 4A state champions for the second consecutive year, the matchup was never about the scoreboard. Instead, it was a chance for the Trojans to test their growth against elite competition—and the performance offered plenty of positive signs.
The opening series immediately showcased Pahrump Valley’s offensive firepower. On just the second play from scrimmage, quarterback Kayne Horibe dropped back and fired a deep strike to senior wide receiver Austin Alvarez, who hauled it in for a long touchdown that set the tone for the night. The extra point was good, and the Trojans were off to a 7-0 start.
The defense came out strong as well, stuffing Mojave’s first run attempt for a loss. However, the 4A powerhouse quickly answered, turning a short pass into a long touchdown run. While the extra point attempt went largely uncontested, the Trojans regrouped quickly and settled in defensively.
Pahrump Valley’s offense kept pushing forward. Horibe tucked the ball and scrambled for a first down on their next series, followed by a crisp completion to Lucas Gavenda to move the chains again. Although a couple of passes fell incomplete—including one under pressure after a high snap—the Trojans continued to show poise in their execution.
Defensively, the team was tested by Mojave’s speed. A short pass turned into a long touchdown, but the Trojans showed resilience. Iyan Bosket led the charge on a run stop, the defense broke up a pass in the middle, and the secondary held strong against a deep throw. Even after surrendering a 60-yard play, Pahrump Valley countered with a sack on Mojave’s quarterback and a strong edge tackle from Alvarez to force an incompletion and stall the drive.
The offense found rhythm again with a contested sideline grab by Gavenda, followed by another near-touchdown strike toward the end zone. Horibe continued spreading the ball around with completions to Ryan Hamlin and Alvarez, and also kept plays alive with his legs, scrambling left and stiff-arming a defender to extend a long run. Alvarez powered through the middle for consecutive eight-yard gains, showing his versatility as both a receiver and a ball carrier.
One miscue gave Mojave another score when an option handoff slipped loose, allowing the state champions to scoop the ball and return it for a touchdown. But Pahrump Valley responded quickly and confidently. Horibe connected on a slant route to Hamlin, then found Gavenda again before hitting Alvarez for another big gain along the sideline. Alvarez capped the drive by cutting up the middle for a touchdown, erasing the mistake and proving the Trojans’ ability to bounce back.
Head Coach Thomas Walker praised the effort and composure his players showed against such a formidable opponent. “The team looked good Friday against the 4A state champs. Both sides of the ball were clicking. Our offensive line looked strong, and our defense looked tremendously better than last season. Offensively we were consistent, and Kayne made great decisions when the ball was in his hands. Our strengths are being consistent and playing team defense. As far as adjustments, we just need to clean up a few things, but the boys were in the right spots. We’re looking forward to opening the season against Cadence, who were a 4A playoff team last year. Going into their house will be tough, but we’re focused on executing the next play.”
Quarterback Kayne Horibe was equally enthusiastic about how far the team has come since last year. “Honestly, I think it was a great turnout. Comparing this scrimmage to last year’s was a huge difference. We’re so far ahead of where we were. I think our team is 110% better than we were at the end of last year.”
Running back Joshua Slusher added, “We had a couple of rough drives, but then we came back harder on offense and defense. That’s what scrimmages are for—we make mistakes, coaches make mistakes, even refs make mistakes, but we gained a lot coming out of it.”
Both players agreed that the team’s chemistry is as strong as ever. “It’s just one big family on the football field,” Slusher said. “Everyone are brothers.” Horibe echoed the sentiment, noting, “We’re a big family, no singles, no egos. Everybody holds each other accountable.”
With their preseason tune-up complete, the Trojans now look ahead to their first official game of the season on Friday, August 22, when they travel to Pinecrest Cadence for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Facing a playoff-tested 4A opponent in their opener will be a challenge, but the Trojans are ready to carry their momentum forward into the regular season.
