The PVHS Trojans displayed grit and determination in their Friday night showdown against the Virgin Valley Bulldogs in Virgin Valley on September 20. Though they ultimately fell 28-7, the Trojans showed moments of brilliance on both sides of the ball and kept the game competitive throughout.
Virgin Valley struck first, scoring with 6:14 left in the first quarter, but the Trojans’ defense quickly showed its strength. Austin Alvarez made a pivotal play by breaking up the Bulldogs’ extra-point attempt, keeping the score at 6-0. Despite a fumble late in the first quarter, the Trojans’ defense held strong, keeping the game within reach as the first quarter ended with the same 6-0 scoreline.
In the second quarter, Virgin Valley added to their lead with a passing touchdown, but Alvarez again came through with another clutch play, breaking up the two-point conversion attempt. The Trojans’ defense, led by standout linebacker Rhett Swaner, continued to hold their ground, with Swaner making a critical tackle late in the half to force a turnover on downs. Kayne Horibe contributed with a booming 49-yard punt, keeping the Bulldogs from pulling away further. At halftime, the Trojans were still within striking distance, trailing 12-0.
The second half marked a shift in momentum for the Trojans. Just 11 seconds into the third quarter, Horibe broke free for a 21-yard run, giving the offense a much-needed spark. Less than three minutes later, Horibe kept the ball himself and found the end zone on a 7-yard quarterback run, bringing the Trojans to within five points, 12-7. The defense forced another turnover on downs at the 7:19 mark, giving the Trojans an opportunity to take control of the game.
Although Virgin Valley managed to recover a fumble late in the third quarter and later scored to increase their lead, the Trojans fought until the end. With 3:45 left in the game, Horibe connected with wide receiver Ethen Hutchinson for a 10-yard pass, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination to continue pushing. The Trojans’ defense, although exhausted, continued to fight back, forcing multiple turnovers and making key plays. In the final minutes, Virgin Valley scored once more to seal the 28-7 victory, but the Trojans’ effort and spirit were evident throughout the contest.
Head Coach Thomas Walker praised his team’s defensive performance, particularly highlighting Swaner’s standout game. “Our offense struggled, but our defense played much better. Rhett Swaner had a tremendous game. He had to be around 20 tackles. Billy Sparks and Jack Walker played great on the defensive line as well. Rhett is definitely the player of the game,” Walker said. He added that the team’s potential is still within reach. “We are not out of it yet. We need to put both sides together for a complete game, as we have only done that once this year. This week will define who we really are. Another tough opponent on the road. If we want to be a playoff team, we need to win this one.”
Offensive Coach Toby Henry expressed pride in the team’s effort, noting, “We played a tough rival team. Our guys played hard until the end. We need to learn how to capitalize on our opportunities. Every week we play a tough team, and these are great games to get us ready for playoffs.”
Defensive Coach Mike Colucci echoed the positive sentiment, adding, “It was a physical battle and a great atmosphere. We just made too many mistakes. Can’t make mistakes if we’re going to beat good teams, especially on the road. We’ll watch film and work hard to correct what we did wrong.”
With their playoff hopes still alive, the Trojans will take the lessons learned from this game and prepare for their next challenge. Their determination and fighting spirit remain the cornerstone of their season as they look forward to the road ahead.
*A special thank you to Armando Veloz for the photos.
