The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) Trojans football team showcased an outstanding performance in their game against Mater Academy East Las Vegas on Friday, September 27. The Trojans dominated both offensively and defensively, leading to a commanding victory.
Offensive coordinator Toby Henry had set a goal of 250 rushing yards for the game, but the team far exceeded that, rushing for nearly 500 yards. Leading the charge were Kayne Horibe, who rushed for 163 yards and scored three touchdowns, and Austin Alvarez, who added 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns of his own. With a healthy offensive line, bolstered by the return of senior Hunter Mellinger from injury, the team controlled the pace of the game on the ground.
“Offensively, we played one of the best first halves I’ve seen,” Coach Henry said. “We need to learn how to do that for all four quarters. We dominated up front and ran the ball well. This was a great win for our guys, and we need to ride this momentum.”
Defensively, the Trojans dominated most of the game, allowing only two late scores in the fourth quarter. A standout moment came in the second quarter when Rhett Swaner intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick-six, a pivotal play in maintaining the team’s momentum. Defensive coordinator Mike Colucci’s game plan was executed flawlessly by the team.
“Our boys had a great mindset going into Friday night. Offensively, we ran the ball really well, which made it a lot easier on us defensively, playing with a lead. We knew Mater wanted to come out and throw the ball around. Aside from a few mistakes, we did a good job containing their offense for most of the game. There are still mistakes to fix, but we are definitely headed in the right direction,” said Coach Colucci.
Head Coach Thomas Walker praised the team’s overall effort, noting the significant contributions from both players and coaches. “The boys executed well, and our coaches had a great game plan,” Walker said. “It was a total team effort, and I’m proud of the way we played. The Raiders awarded me Coach of the Week, and it’s a testament to the team’s hard work and the quality of my coaching staff.”
As part of the Coach of the Week honor, the Raiders are treating the team to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wednesday, October 9, and donating $1,000 to the football program.
Looking ahead to their upcoming Homecoming game against Democracy Prep, Coach Walker emphasized the need for continued focus. “They are a quality program with a really good defensive front,” Walker said. “We need to match the effort we had against Mater East in order to have success Saturday.”
The Trojans will carry the momentum from this big win into Homecoming week, aiming to build on their recent success and continue to improve their season record as they set their sights on the playoffs.
