The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity flag football team wrapped up its home schedule on Thursday, February 5, hosting the Amplus Archers in a game that reflected the program’s growth, determination, and team-first spirit throughout the season. Before kickoff, the evening opened with an emotional Senior Night ceremony as six Lady Trojans were honored alongside their families for their dedication to the program. Recognized seniors included Leah-Marie Cooper, Aaliyah Fries, Diona Nixon, Tiffany Sartin, and Savannah Thompson, as well as manager Delaney Abbatte.
Once the game began, Pahrump Valley quickly showcased the effort and aggressiveness that had defined the team all season. The Trojans opened with several strong rushing attempts, highlighted by Diona Nixon powering her way around the right side and Ma’liyah Collins stringing together back-to-back runs, including a nearly 15-yard gain followed by another 10-yard push up the middle to move the chains. A short pass connection to Tianna Beaver helped keep the drive alive before the Trojans were forced to punt, pinning Amplus deep in their own territory.
The defense responded immediately, forcing a turnover on downs midway through the first quarter. The Trojans continued to battle defensively as Ariana Lozoya and Nixon delivered key flag pulls to prevent the Archers from breaking big plays along the sideline. Amplus eventually found the end zone late in the opening quarter, but the Lady Trojans quickly answered in the second.
Collins delivered one of the night’s biggest moments, weaving through traffic and sprinting more than half the field for a touchdown to even the score at 6-6 early in the second quarter. The electrifying run energized the sideline and crowd, showcasing the explosiveness that has made Collins a central figure in the Trojan offense.
Throughout the second quarter, Pahrump Valley continued to mix in contributions from multiple players. Keelee Gieni picked up positive yardage on the ground, while Marlen Torres and Savannah Thompson each added tough rushing attempts. On defense, Gieni and Collins continued to make key stops, with Collins also recording a flag pull following an interception.
The Lady Trojans maintained their defensive intensity into the second half. Ember Castaneda delivered a strong flag pull early in the third quarter, while Nixon broke up a long fourth-down pass attempt to halt an Amplus drive. The Trojan offense continued to push forward with rushing attempts from several players, demonstrating the team’s willingness to spread opportunities across the roster.
Senior Tiffany Sartin was given a special moment late in the third quarter when she was handed the ball on a rushing attempt, drawing cheers from the crowd as teammates rallied around her. Additional carries from Gieni and Mitzy Godinez kept the Trojans battling through the closing moments of the quarter.
The fourth quarter reflected the same grit and determination that had defined the night. Jazmyn Herrera delivered a key punt to flip field position, while Nixon added another pass breakup on defense. One of the most memorable moments came during a late Trojan drive when the seniors lined up together to block, allowing Collins to break free for a strong run down the left sideline before being stopped deep in Amplus territory. Nixon added multiple late carries, while Godinez and Collins continued to push forward during the final drive as the crowd remained engaged until the final whistle.
Despite the final score, Head Coach Jeff Corbett emphasized that the season was never defined by wins or losses, but rather by the growth and commitment shown by the players as they learned a new sport.
“Our whole goal was not the scoreboard,” Corbett said. “It was teaching them a new sport, getting comfortable doing so, and teaching them how to become more physical as they got more comfortable. If we kept the scores around where they were and found ways to score ourselves, that was our goal — and we met it.”
Corbett praised the team’s resilience, recalling an early-season moment that set the tone for the group’s mindset.
“There was an away game where we were getting beat pretty badly, and I mentioned possibly speeding up the clock,” Corbett said. “They all yelled at me not to do that. From that point on, they wanted to be there and play through everything. That told me everything I needed to know about their determination.”
Corbett also highlighted several athletes who made significant impacts throughout the season, including Nixon, whose athleticism immediately stood out, as well as Anjolina Mercado and Juliana Turco for their consistency and versatility. He noted strong progress from Mitzy Gutierrez, along with standout defensive play from Biannet Lozano. Corbett also praised Maria Igwe, calling her one of the team’s most reliable players with exceptional hands.
Looking ahead, Corbett expressed excitement about the program’s future, particularly the development of the younger roster.
“My other main point is that we have a solid sophomore class,” Corbett said. “If we do some recruiting, we can build a strong team in the next couple of years. That’s what I’m excited about and looking forward to.”
Corbett added that Senior Night held special meaning for the coaching staff and players alike, especially during the closing moments of the game when seniors were given opportunities to carry the ball while teammates rallied around them.
“It was special,” Corbett said. “That last drive where we had all those seniors basically out there trying to bulldoze our way through — it didn’t work out, but it was really special to see.”
As the final seconds ticked away, the home crowd remained on its feet, cheering loudly for the Lady Trojans in recognition of their effort, growth, and dedication throughout the season. The evening served as both a celebration of the senior class and a strong reminder of the foundation being built for the future of Pahrump Valley girls’ flag football.
