The Pahrump Valley High School football team faced Mary Star of the Sea at San Juan Hill High School in California on Saturday, Sept. 12, falling 52-14 in the out-of-state matchup.
Despite facing an early deficit, the Trojans continued working on both sides of the ball and put together scoring drives in the second and fourth quarters. Pahrump’s defense also produced several stops, including a first-quarter takeaway and a goal-line stand that forced a field goal in the third quarter.
Mary Star opened the game with a 65-yard scoring drive, completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Pahrump’s defense responded after the Trojans’ next possession ended with an interception. Mary Star took over at its own 6-yard line, but the Trojans stopped a runner for a loss on third down and forced a punt.
The Stars regained possession following another interception, but senior linebacker Iyan Bosket chased down the quarterback on a scramble and stripped the ball. Pahrump recovered the fumble near midfield, giving the Trojans their first takeaway of the game.
Mary Star added a touchdown early in the second quarter after reaching the Pahrump 17-yard line. Senior Angel Ware prevented a score on the preceding play with a touchdown-saving tackle, while Bosket hurried the quarterback on another snap and William Sparks stopped a run for no gain. The Stars eventually completed a third-down pass in the end zone to extend their lead to 14-0.
Pahrump began its next possession at its own 20-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Evan Strain gained two yards on a draw before completing a pass to Ware that moved the Trojans close to a first down. The drive ended with a punt, and Mary Star scored on its following possession.
The Stars added two more touchdowns before the Trojans broke through late in the half.
Tristan Schumacher returned the kickoff to the Pahrump 24-yard line, and Strain began the drive with a completion to senior Ryan Hamlin. Strain then connected with senior Lucas Gavenda on a long touchdown pass. Senior Aaron Rily converted the extra point, cutting the score to 35-7 with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter.
Pahrump attempted an onside kick following the touchdown, but Mary Star recovered and added another score before halftime. The Trojans moved the ball again in the closing minutes, with Strain completing another long pass to Gavenda before the drive stalled near midfield.
Schumacher opened the second half with a return to the Pahrump 41-yard line. Mary Star intercepted a pass during the ensuing possession and later scored on a rushing touchdown to take a 49-7 lead.
The Trojans’ defense tightened on the Stars’ next possession. Hunter Wydick and Bosket combined on a tackle after a short quarterback gain, and Sparks stopped a third-and-short rush for a 4-yard loss. Mary Star settled for a field goal, making the score 52-7 with 2:33 remaining in the third quarter.
Pahrump delivered another defensive stop early in the fourth. Paul Walker brought down the Mary Star quarterback following a mishandled snap, and the Trojans limited a screen pass to no gain with Hamlin making the tackle. Gavenda also stopped a short run before the Stars punted the ball away.
Starting at their own 11-yard line, the Trojans assembled their longest scoring drive of the game. Strain gained a yard on the ground before completing a screen pass to Schumacher. Facing fourth-and-2, Schumacher carried the ball for the first down to keep the possession alive.
Strain followed with a long completion to Gavenda that moved Pahrump across midfield. Another completion to Schumacher advanced the ball to the Mary Star 27-yard line, and Hamlin caught a pass for a first down at the 14.
The Trojans finished the drive with a jet sweep to Ware, who carried the ball into the end zone. Rily added his second extra point of the afternoon to complete the scoring at 52-14.
Pahrump finished the California trip with two sustained touchdown drives, several defensive stops and contributions throughout the lineup as the Trojans continued through their nonleague schedule.
*Photos from a game earlier this season.
