The Pahrump Valley High School varsity football team answered an early deficit with a productive night on offense, defense and special teams, pulling away for a 64-32 victory over Valley High School on Friday, Sept. 18, in Las Vegas.
The Trojans scored nine touchdowns, forced several turnovers and built a 29-14 halftime advantage before adding 35 points during an action-filled second half. Preston Dockter scored three rushing touchdowns, Angel Ware reached the end zone three times in different phases of the game and Ryan Hamlin contributed a receiving touchdown and an interception.
Valley opened the game with a long kickoff return before scoring on a deep pass less than a minute into the contest. The Vikings added the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead with 11:12 remaining in the first quarter.
Pahrump responded almost immediately. After Valley was penalized twice on the kickoff, Kain Johnson returned the third attempt to the Trojans’ 41-yard line.
Dockter gained four yards on the opening play of the drive before quarterback Wyatt Cross completed a pass to Hamlin. The reception and ensuing run gave Pahrump a first-and-goal opportunity at the Valley 9-yard line. Dockter finished the drive by running in for the touchdown, and Aaron Rily made the extra point to bring the Trojans within 8-7 with 9:57 remaining.
The Pahrump defense quickly created another opportunity. Ware intercepted a Valley pass at the Trojans’ 28-yard line with 8:18 on the clock, giving the offense possession for the second time.
Cross moved the Trojans downfield with completions to Hamlin and Ware, while Dockter added two productive carries. A pass to Ware advanced the ball to the Valley 25-yard line before Cross found him again for a touchdown with 5:29 remaining. A defensive penalty moved the conversion attempt to the 1-yard line, and Dockter ran the ball across the goal line to give Pahrump a 15-8 advantage.
Valley attempted to answer on the ground, but the Trojans continued making stops. Paul Walker and Billy Sparks combined to bring down a runner for a seven-yard loss, while Lucas Gavenda made back-to-back tackles later in the possession. Walker also drove the Valley quarterback backward on a keeper, and Iyan Bosket added a tackle for another loss near the end of the first quarter.
Pahrump forced a punt early in the second quarter after Cade Wulfenstein made an immediate tackle following a completed pass on third-and-long. Gavenda fielded the punt and returned it to the Trojans’ 13-yard line.
One play later, Cross connected with Gavenda, who took advantage of strong blocking along the sideline and carried the ball the rest of the way for a touchdown. Rily’s extra point extended Pahrump’s lead to 22-8 with 10:34 remaining in the half.
The defense gave the ball right back to the offense. Ware intercepted his second pass of the night and returned it to approximately the Pahrump 38-yard line. Although a penalty moved the Trojans backward, Cross soon found Hamlin, who covered the remaining distance for a touchdown with 9:04 left. Rily added the extra point to make the score 29-8.
Valley responded with a touchdown run midway through the quarter, but the Trojans stopped the two-point conversion and maintained a 29-14 lead.
Pahrump threatened again after a Valley personal foul helped move the ball across midfield. Dockter carried the ball several times and brought the Trojans close to the red zone, but Valley stopped him just short of the first-down marker on fourth down.
The Vikings drove into Pahrump territory late in the half, aided by penalties, but the Trojans’ defense held firm. Wulfenstein made a tackle near the red zone, and the defensive front pushed the Valley quarterback backward before Bosket made another stop. An incomplete pass on fourth down ended the threat and sent Pahrump into halftime with a 15-point advantage.
The Trojans opened the third quarter with the ball but were forced to punt. The defense responded with another strong series. Walker stopped a run for a four-yard loss, Gavenda broke up a pass and Ware made a tackle short of the first-down marker. A Valley false start created a fourth-and-11 situation before Bosket recorded a sack to give Pahrump possession at the Valley 35-yard line.
Cross completed a pass to Walker for a first down, while consecutive carries by Dockter moved the chains again. The drive eventually ended on downs, but the defense forced another Valley turnover on downs moments later. Walker stopped a quarterback keeper on third down, and a false start followed by an incomplete deep pass ended the Vikings’ possession.
Dockter helped move Pahrump downfield on the ensuing drive before Cross connected with Ware just inside the end zone for their second touchdown combination of the night. Rily made the extra point, giving the Trojans a 35-14 lead with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter.
Valley returned the following kickoff for a touchdown, but Bosket brought down the quarterback on the two-point attempt to keep the score at 35-20.
Ware immediately restored Pahrump’s momentum. He returned the next kickoff for a touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in the quarter, completing a night in which he scored on offense and special teams while also intercepting two passes on defense. Rily’s extra point pushed the lead to 43-20.
Pahrump then recovered an onside kick, with Wulfenstein securing the ball at the Trojans’ 47-yard line. Dockter gained seven yards on the next play before the quarter ended.
Valley scored on a deep pass early in the fourth quarter, but the Trojans again denied the two-point conversion, keeping Pahrump ahead 43-26.
Dockter helped Pahrump respond with another scoring drive. He gained nine yards on his first carry and followed with a 12-yard run. A Valley penalty moved the ball to the 29-yard line, and Dockter broke free for his second touchdown of the night with 8:08 remaining. Rily added the extra point for a 50-26 lead.
Hamlin then produced another takeaway for the Pahrump defense, leaping to intercept a Valley pass and returning it deep into Vikings territory. A penalty against Valley placed the Trojans near the goal line, where Dockter finished the possession with his third rushing touchdown. Rily’s extra point increased the advantage to 57-26 with 6:13 remaining.
The Trojans recovered their second onside kick of the night four seconds later when Anthony Montanez secured the ball. Pahrump was unable to convert that possession into points, but another turnover soon gave the Trojans one more opportunity.
Valley completed a pass over the middle, but the receiver fumbled and Kobe Farmer recovered the ball for Pahrump. Tristan Schumacher then took a toss and broke loose for a touchdown with 2:05 left in the game. Rily converted his eighth extra point of the night to complete Pahrump’s scoring.
Valley added a touchdown on the final play, but the Trojans left Las Vegas with a 64-32 victory after repeatedly answering the Vikings’ scoring plays with touchdowns of their own.
Pahrump’s offense received contributions throughout the lineup, with Cross distributing the ball to Ware, Hamlin, Gavenda and Walker while Dockter provided a steady presence in the running game. Schumacher added the final touchdown, and the offensive line helped the Trojans produce their highest-scoring performance of the season.
The defense and special teams were equally important to the victory. Ware intercepted two passes, Hamlin added another interception and Farmer recovered a fumble. Wulfenstein and Montanez each recovered onside kicks, while Bosket, Walker, Gavenda, Sparks and Wulfenstein were among the Trojans who made key stops as Pahrump turned an early eight-point deficit into a decisive road win.
*These photos and more are available at pvcnphotos.com.
