The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans could not have asked for a better way to begin their 2025 football season, delivering a complete team performance in a 54-0 rout over Pinecrest Cadence on Friday, August 22. The Trojans controlled every aspect of the game—offense, defense, and special teams—while never allowing the Cougars to gain momentum.
The action started with a statement from the Trojans’ defense. After a short opening kickoff by Pahrump, Pinecrest struggled to move the ball, committing multiple false starts and failing to convert on third down. Quarterback pressure from the defensive front, including a strong push from Jack Walker, forced incompletions and left the Cougars punting early.
The Trojans wasted no time striking back. On their first drive, running back Joshua Slusher broke tackles to push the ball inside the 30-yard line, and quarterback Kayne Horibe hit wide receiver Lucas Gavenda just shy of the goal line. Gavenda powered forward for the first touchdown of the night. With the extra point, the Trojans were up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Only minutes later, Horibe kept the ball on a designed run, breaking free to the outside and sprinting into the end zone for the second score, extending the lead to 14-0. The defense, led by hard hits from Tristan Torres and strong tackling by Kobe Farmer and others, continued to dominate. A forced fumble late in the quarter gave Pahrump possession, and Horibe delivered again, this time finding Ryan Hamlin across the middle for another touchdown on third down. The Trojans attempted a two-point conversion but came up short, holding a 26-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter showcased the Trojans’ versatility. With Pinecrest’s quarterback struggling and eventually sidelined after being hit by Gideon Wydick during a pass attempt, the Cougars were left scrambling. Special teams stepped up in a big way as Jack Walker powered through to block a punt, and Zack Dockter alertly scooped up the loose ball, running it in for a defensive touchdown. Moments later, Horibe connected with Austin Alvarez for a short gain that nearly turned into a score. Though Alvarez was disappointed to fall just short of the end zone, Horibe finished the drive himself with another rushing touchdown. By halftime, the Trojans were up 40-0, triggering a running clock.
Pahrump opened the second half with yet another explosive play. Alvarez took the kickoff return back for a touchdown, weaving through defenders and extending the lead to 47-0. Though Pinecrest managed a few positive gains up the sidelines, the Trojan defense quickly tightened up, forcing incompletions and keeping the Cougars out of scoring range.
The highlight of the fourth quarter came on the very first play. With Pinecrest desperate to find the end zone, their backup quarterback attempted a pass to the left side of the end zone. Defensive back Angel Ware read the play perfectly, intercepted the ball at the 4-yard line, and raced 96 yards all the way back for a touchdown. The extra point made it 54-0, sealing the shutout victory. Ware nearly added another interception return for a score later in the quarter, though it was called back due to defensive pass interference.
Head Coach Thomas Walker praised his team’s execution, noting both Horibe’s performance and the defensive effort. “Kayne is our player of the game. He had three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. His longest run was 72 yards, and he had 287 yards from scrimmage,” Walker said. “Our defense looked great. We held them scoreless. We just have to stay vigilant, making sure maximum effort is given on every play. Our offensive line was outstanding, as well as our defensive line. Angel Ware had a pick six and Zack Dockter had two fumble recoveries, one for a school and score off of Jack Walker’s blocked punt.”
Offensive Coordinator Toby Henry credited the unit’s discipline while keeping eyes forward. “I thought our kids did a great job of executing our plays. We did what we should have done offensively,” Henry said. “There are things we still need to work on, and that will be the focus for this week. We need to polish up a few things and continue to play with the enthusiasm from last Friday night. It was a great way to start the season, but we need to continue to get better.”
Defensive Coordinator Mike Colucci emphasized the energy the Trojans brought to the field. “The boys were hungry to hit someone else and it showed,” Colucci said. “We were dominant in all three phases. It was good to get the first win under our belt. We’ve definitely got some things to work on, but it was great to see our boys come out and play angry to start the season.”
Pahrump Valley’s mix of explosive offensive play, defensive grit, and opportunistic special teams left little doubt about their readiness for the season. With a balanced attack and strong leadership from all three phases, the Trojans showed they are prepared to compete at a high level. They’ll look to build on this commanding victory as they head into their home opener on Friday, August 29th, carrying confidence and momentum into what promises to be an exciting 2025 campaign.
