The Pahrump Valley High School Lady Trojans made school history this week, taking the field for the first flag football games in program history as both the junior varsity and varsity squads faced the Doral Academy Red Rock Dragons. Though the Dragons walked away with the victories, the afternoon was marked by determination, growth, and the unmistakable sense that something new and exciting has begun for PVHS athletics.
The JV team opened the day, battling through a tough matchup as Doral’s offense struck early and often. The Dragons scored late in the second quarter and again with 12 seconds left in the half to take a 20–0 lead into the break. The Lady Trojans returned to the field with renewed energy, but Doral extended its lead with a quick touchdown to make it 27–0. PVHS fought for stops, including strong defensive plays from Keelee Gieni, who pulled multiple flags and helped force penalties that pushed Doral back.
In the fourth quarter, Carmella Goudeau brought a spark with back-to-back sacks that energized the Trojans’ sideline. Despite the defensive effort, Doral managed to extend the score, ultimately finishing the game 47–0. The JV team still celebrated bright moments in their debut, including a key interception and several disciplined defensive stands that showed their growing understanding of the game.
Varsity followed with the same spirit, facing an experienced Doral squad that moved the ball efficiently in the early minutes. PVHS defenders made strong plays of their own—Stephani Jimenez Montoya knocked down a pass near the goal line, and several players pulled flags to stop breakaway runs—but the Dragons struck first and built a lead throughout the half. Diona Nixon broke through with a strong run past midfield for a first down, and Savannah Thompson added another positive gain at quarterback.
Diona also stepped into the quarterback role, contributing rushing yards of her own as the Trojans continued to test adjustments on offense. Ember Castaneda added a solid defensive stop to end the third quarter, and the team closed the game fighting until the final whistle. Doral claimed the win 55–0, but the Lady Trojans walked away with much more than a score.
Head Coach Jeff Corbett said he was proud of how his players responded in their first-ever outing, emphasizing their unity and resilience. “They have great character,” he said. “They didn’t fight, point fingers, or implode at all. They truly tried to come together and work as a team. I was honestly impressed. After our first outing, we now know what to expect and we can only go up from here.”
Corbett acknowledged that both the JV and varsity teams now have a clearer picture of what they need to work on. Defensively, he noted the need for quicker reactions to passes and more physical play against the run. Offensively, the Trojans will focus on rhythm and timing, areas that naturally develop with experience. “We have talent and speed,” Corbett added. “It’s my job to put everyone in the right spot. And we don’t know until we’re in it. This is a learning curve for the coaches as well.”
The coaches also saw bright highlights across both games—an interception for the JV squad, a few breakaway 10–15-yard gains for varsity, and consistent examples of heart and effort from every athlete on the roster. Most importantly, Corbett said the team handled their nerves and walked away ready to grow. “Now that we’ve seen a real game, we got the nerves out and we’ll be ready for Monday,” he said.
The Lady Trojans will travel next to face the Chaparral High School Cowboys on Monday, with JV kicking off at 4:30 p.m. and Varsity at 5:30 p.m. The scores may not have reflected their promise, but this historic first day made one thing clear: the foundation is set, the energy is building, and PVHS flag football is officially underway.
