The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans finished their regular season in dominant fashion, overwhelming the Boulder City Eagles 55-20 at home on Thursday, October 24th. With the victory, the Trojans head into the playoffs with momentum on their side, ready to host Mater East in the first round on Friday, November 1st, at 6 p.m.
Before the game, the team’s seniors were honored, celebrating both the athletes and managers who have contributed to the program. Senior managers Amelia Graziano and Payton Weaver were recognized for their efforts behind the scenes. The senior athletes—Oscar Bosket, Anthony Hunt, Ethen Hutchinson, Matthew Lopez, Hunter Mellinger, Randall Murray, Carter Nygaard, and Rhett Swaner—were celebrated for their hard work, teamwork, and the skills they brought to the field. This evening served as a heartfelt tribute to their contributions and the lasting impact they’ve made on the Trojans football program.
The game kicked off with Randall Murray returning the opening kickoff deep into Eagle territory, setting the tone for a night of explosive plays. Quarterback Kayne Horibe wasted no time, running the ball in for a touchdown just 38 seconds into the game. Kicker Aaron Rily added the extra point, giving the Trojans an early 7-0 lead.
Pahrump’s defense quickly forced a turnover on downs, giving the ball back to the offense. Horibe then showcased his speed with a 25-yard run to the 42-yard line. Shortly after, he connected with Murray on a 20-yard touchdown pass, with Rily’s extra point extending the lead to 14-0 with 5:47 left in the first quarter.
Before the quarter ended, the Trojans struck again. Horibe found Austin Alvarez for a short pass, and Alvarez turned it into a 50-yard sprint to the end zone. Another successful extra point from Rily made it 21-0. The offense continued to roll early in the second quarter as Horibe threw a 40-yard pass to Alvarez, who added a 30-yard run to score his second touchdown. Rily’s kick was good, giving the Trojans a commanding 28-0 lead.
Though Boulder City answered with a touchdown, the Trojans didn’t miss a beat. Moments later, Murray caught a 40-yard pass and took it to the house, making it 35-7 after Rily’s extra point. Boulder City managed one more score before halftime, but Pahrump responded immediately. With just 3.2 seconds left in the half, Matt Lopez, a lineman scored his first touchdown of the season, though the extra point attempt just missed. At halftime, the Trojans led 41-13.
The second half saw more of the same dominance from Pahrump. In the third quarter, Murray hauled in yet another touchdown pass, and Rily’s extra point made it 48-20. The defense continued to shine, with Lucas Gavenda snagging an interception, followed by Alvarez sealing the Eagles’ fate with a pick-six late in the third. Rily’s extra point brought the final score to 55-20.
Head Coach Thomas Walker praised the team’s outstanding performance and teamwork. “Kayne Horibe threw for 331 yards, five touchdowns, and rushed for another. Austin Alvarez had 174 yards receiving with two touchdowns, and he also had that pick-six. Iyan Bosket was a force on defense with 17 tackles, and Lucas Gavenda grabbed an interception. The team played great and is really coming together. If we keep executing like this, we’re anticipating a strong playoff run.”
Offensive Coach Toby Henry reflected on the significance of the win. “This was a great win for the team. Boulder has always been a rivalry game, and it was good to see our guys perform the way they did in a big game. Offensively, it was a huge night for us. Now we just need to carry that momentum into the playoffs.”
The defense’s effort did not go unnoticed either, with Defensive Coach Mike Colucci commending the team’s all-around performance. “The boys dominated on all three sides of the ball Thursday night. Randy’s kickoff return inside Boulder City’s 10-yard line really set the tone. Our team put the pedal to the metal and played hard-nosed football for four quarters. We need to continue improving each day and keep this momentum going as we prepare for a tough Mater East team next week.”
With the regular season now behind them, the Trojans are focused on their upcoming home playoff game against Mater East. Fans are excited to see if Pahrump can continue their impressive run and make a deep push into the postseason. Kickoff is set for Friday, November 1st, at 6 p.m. at PVHS, and the Trojans are ready to put it all on the line.
