The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans ended their 2025 football season with determination and pride Friday night, November 7, in a thrilling semifinal playoff matchup against the Moapa Valley Pirates. Despite an explosive start and several standout performances, the Trojans came up just short, falling 35–27 on the road in Moapa.
The game opened with the Trojans setting the tone early. After Moapa deferred the toss, Pahrump received the kickoff, and Lucas Gavenda returned it for five yards to the 23-yard line. Quarterback Kayne Horibe got the offense rolling with short gains from running back Austin Alvarez and a quick pass to Gavenda. Mixing runs and passes, the Trojans methodically moved down the field until Horibe connected with Angel Ware for a touchdown. With 7:49 left in the first quarter, kicker Josh Slusher’s extra point put Pahrump on top, 7–0.
The Trojan defense started strong, holding the Pirates to minimal gains and forcing them into difficult third-down situations. Tackles by Alvarez, Gideon Wydick, and Iyan Bosket helped contain the Moapa running game, and a series of penalties pushed the Pirates back. Moapa’s punt gave Pahrump good field position at midfield, but after a few promising plays—including an 11-yard completion to Alvarez—the drive ended with an interception.
Still, Pahrump’s defense stayed firm, stopping Moapa’s offense and keeping the score 7–0 at the end of the first quarter. Early in the second, the Trojans struck again when Alvarez broke free for a 40-yard run, setting up Horibe’s short pass to Gavenda for a touchdown. Slusher’s extra point extended the lead to 14–0 with 9:18 left in the half.
Moapa, however, found its rhythm late in the second quarter. After recovering from a holding penalty, the Pirates scored on a long pass to close the gap to 14–7. Then, with less than a minute left in the half, Moapa capitalized on a Pahrump fumble, returning it for a touchdown to tie the game 14–14 heading into halftime.
The Pirates came out of the break determined, putting together a strong third-quarter drive built on short runs and quarterback keepers. A goal-line rush gave Moapa its first lead of the night, 21–14. The Trojans responded with steady runs from Alvarez and Horibe, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended their drive. Moments later, a fluke play—where Moapa fumbled and recovered the ball for a touchdown—extended the Pirates’ lead to 28–14.
Refusing to quit, the Trojans fought back in the fourth quarter. Horibe found Gavenda again for his second touchdown of the game, and Slusher’s kick brought the score to 28–21. Moapa answered quickly with another touchdown, pushing their lead to 35–21.
With time running down, Alvarez gave Trojan fans one more reason to cheer. He broke free for a 51-yard run and later powered into the end zone for a touchdown, making it 35–27. Though the extra point missed and Moapa recovered the onside kick, Pahrump continued to fight until the final seconds. The Pirates held on, running out the clock to secure their trip to the state championship.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Colucci praised the Trojans for their resilience and progress. “Our guys fought really hard for four quarters on the road against a really solid Moapa Valley team,” Colucci said. “The game had many highs and lows, and our guys stayed the course until the end. It wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for, but I believe it was a performance that they can hold their heads up high about. I’m proud of the growth our team showed over the course of the season. I’m so thankful to our seniors for their leadership and for setting a good example for their teammates. And I’m excited about the future of this program if we stay on track, make good choices, and do the hard work necessary to build on our accomplishments from this year.”
Offensive Coordinator Toby Henry echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the team’s heart and unity. “The boys played an outstanding game on Friday. They never gave up and overcame adversity a few times in the game. They have nothing to hang their heads about—if the ball bounced our way a few times, we win that game. I’m going to miss our seniors; they have paved the way for future teams. They have set an expectation for Trojan football.”
While the Trojans’ season ended just short of the state finals, their performance on the field Friday night embodied what Pahrump Valley football is all about—toughness, teamwork, and pride. The seniors leave behind a legacy of leadership, and the returning players now carry the lessons of this season forward, knowing they were part of a team that never stopped fighting.
*Photos provided by Amber Crotty.
