The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity flag football team returned to their home field Tuesday, Feb. 3, squaring off against a talented Spring Valley squad in a contest that showcased defensive hustle, determined offensive efforts, and moments of standout individual play as the Lady Trojans continued to compete with heart from start to finish.
Pahrump Valley opened the game on defense and immediately set an aggressive tone. On the very first play from scrimmage, Ember Castaneda broke up a deep pass attempt, showing strong coverage and anticipation. Spring Valley continued to test the secondary with another long throw, but Castaneda again made her presence known by pulling the flag before a penalty brought the play back.
Despite the early defensive push, Spring Valley found momentum with a touchdown pass over the middle at the 10-minute mark, followed by a successful conversion to take an early 8-0 lead.
The Lady Trojans’ offense took the field looking to respond. Anjolina Mercado attempted to establish the ground game with a run to the right side, while quarterback Ma’liyah Collins followed with a keeper to the left, gaining two yards. Mercado was again called upon on third down, but Spring Valley’s defense held strong. Pahrump Valley elected to go for it on fourth down, continuing to rely on the run, but the drive ended in a turnover on downs, giving Spring Valley favorable field position.
Spring Valley capitalized with a short touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion to extend the lead to 16-0. Pahrump Valley continued to push offensively, with Jazmyn Herrera connecting with Alexa Kumm on a short completion, but the drive stalled, forcing a punt. Diona Nixon stepped up defensively on the ensuing return, pulling the flag to limit yardage and help the Trojans regain possession after a defensive stop.
Spring Valley added another touchdown later in the first half to move ahead 22-0, but not before Nixon managed to tip a pass, nearly forcing a turnover. Kumm took over under center for the Trojans, using her legs on a quarterback keeper to spark the offense, while Mercado contributed with another key defensive flag pull following a punt.
The second quarter featured several strong defensive stands by Pahrump Valley. Nixon and Collins each delivered crucial flag pulls to slow Spring Valley’s progress, and the Lady Trojans delivered one of their biggest defensive stops of the night on a fourth-and-goal situation, successfully shutting down a pass attempt with 18 yards to defend.
Offensively, Collins showcased her athleticism with a long run that pushed the Trojans downfield, though Spring Valley later intercepted a pass to regain control. The Lady Trojans continued to battle on defense, forcing multiple challenging down-and-distance situations and making key stops near the goal line, including another strong stand with just under three minutes remaining in the half. Spring Valley eventually capitalized on a defensive turnover late in the second quarter, returning an interception for a touchdown and taking a 30-0 lead into halftime.
Pahrump Valley returned from the break determined to continue fighting. A completed pass to No. 26 helped move the Trojans downfield despite a flag guarding penalty, setting up a first down inside the 25-yard line. The Lady Trojans attempted to build momentum with a series of runs, but Spring Valley’s defense limited the yardage. A pass intended for Ariana Lozoya fell incomplete, and a run by Mitzy Godinez was stopped for a loss, forcing a punt.
Defensively, Marlen Torres delivered one of the most energetic moments of the game in the third quarter, knocking down a pass attempt that drew loud cheers from the Trojan sideline and crowd. Spring Valley later connected on a long touchdown pass but was unable to convert the extra points, moving the score to 36-0.
In the fourth quarter, Pahrump Valley continued to work offensively with multiple option plays designed to create opportunities in open space. Nixon and Collins each contributed with short gains on option runs, while Kumm added another quarterback keeper to keep drives alive. The Trojans remained persistent in their play calling, showing continued determination and teamwork throughout the final minutes.
Late in the game, Spring Valley added two additional touchdowns, but Pahrump Valley continued to find offensive moments. With just over a minute remaining, Kumm connected with Godinez on a completed pass, followed by another quarterback keeper that gained positive yardage. Ariana Lozoya also contributed with a strong run to close out the contest.
While the final score stood at 48-0, the Lady Trojans displayed consistent defensive effort, highlighted by pass breakups from Castaneda and Torres, multiple flag pulls from Nixon, Collins, Mercado, and others, and continued offensive determination led by Collins, Kumm, and Herrera.
Pahrump Valley will now turn its attention to its final game of the season, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, at home against the Boulder City Eagles. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m., with Senior Night festivities taking place just prior to the game, giving the Lady Trojans an opportunity to celebrate their senior players and close out the season in front of the home crowd.
