Summer football preparations looked a little different at Pahrump Valley High School on Wednesday, June 10, as the Trojan club football program welcomed Durango High School for a morning of 7-on-7 competition featuring both Varsity and JV athletes while also celebrating the arrival of a major boost for the program — a $20,000 equipment delivery from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The event combined valuable offseason work on the field with an exciting moment off of it as players and coaches got their first look at the equipment package awarded to the program earlier this spring.
For first-year Head Coach Toby Henry, the day represented another step forward in building competition, developing depth and continuing to establish the culture he wants around the Trojan football program.
The on-field portion of the morning featured both Varsity and JV club teams from each school competing in a series of 7-on-7 run-throughs designed to sharpen passing, coverage and skill-position play during the summer months. The format gave athletes throughout the program an opportunity to get live reps and continue developing chemistry ahead of the fall season.
Henry said the goal was simple: create opportunities for players to compete while breaking up the routine of offseason conditioning.
“Our club teams came out here just to get a little seven-on-seven work for our skill guys, just to get a little summer work, get a little competition and kind of get away from the everyday grind of practice and working out,” Henry said. “It was just good, good friendly competition between two club teams.”
Throughout the morning, athletes rotated through reps and continued getting live looks against opponents outside their own sideline — something that becomes especially valuable during the offseason when players are still competing for positions and proving themselves ahead of the fall season.
According to Henry, that internal competition has been one of the most encouraging signs of summer workouts so far.
“I see a bunch of kids working hard, and we got a lot of positions that have a lot of competition,” Henry said. “So we’re kind of just letting everybody get some reps right now and seeing who wins those jobs, and they’re doing a good job. They’re just working hard like always.”
Henry added that the attitude and effort have continued to stand out.
“Like I always say, this is the hardest-working team I’ve ever coached,” he said.
As players moved through drills on the field, another exciting development arrived for the program.
Earlier this year, PVHS was selected through a Raiders equipment initiative and awarded approximately $20,000 worth of football equipment. Wednesday marked delivery day.
Henry said the shipment appeared to include multiple pieces of practice equipment designed to benefit player development throughout the season and beyond.
“I guess we won a lottery to win a bunch of equipment, so we won $20,000 of practice equipment,” Henry said. “I think they gave us some sleds, pads and some dummies. They did a good job, and we’re grateful for that.”
The new equipment is expected to support practices and training opportunities as the Trojans continue building toward the upcoming season.
The day closed with another reminder that support for the football program extends beyond the players and coaches.
Following the morning activities, athletes from both teams gathered together in the wrestling room to share a meal and spend time together after a morning of competition.
Head football booster club representative Mrs. Cindy Colucci personally prepared hamburgers and hot dogs for the teams, while chips and additional snacks were also provided to round out the meal. Student volunteers helped organize the food and assist with getting everything set up in the wrestling room so players from both programs could eat together following practice.
Henry made sure to recognize those efforts and the support surrounding the program.
“We’re feeding them,” Henry said. “The booster club came in clutch, and Mrs. Colucci said she would take care of it and feed everybody, and we really appreciate her and those who helped.”
The shared meal provided an opportunity for athletes from both schools to relax and connect off the field while showcasing the community support helping fuel the Trojans throughout summer workouts.
With summer workouts continuing, position battles underway and new equipment arriving on campus, Wednesday’s practice offered a glimpse of the work being put in behind the scenes as the Trojans continue preparing for the season ahead.
