The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans delivered a commanding performance on Friday, September 19, as they traveled to Las Vegas and overpowered the Cheyenne Desert Shields, 58-14. From the opening kickoff, Pahrump Valley seized momentum and showcased balance on both sides of the ball, racking up touchdowns while keeping constant pressure on Cheyenne’s offense.
The opening drive set the tone for the night. Starting at their own 22-yard line, Preston Dockter carried the load with several strong runs, including a 20-yard pickup to move the Trojans into scoring position. Kayne Horibe then pitched the ball to Austin Alvarez, who pushed the offense even closer before Dockter capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Alvarez carried in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
The defense immediately answered with a statement, forcing a sack and holding Cheyenne short of the first down on consecutive series. Taking over at midfield, Horibe found Alvarez on a pass and run to the 21-yard line, then connected with Ryan Hamlin for a touchdown strike. Alvarez’s second two-point conversion pushed the lead to 16-0 midway through the first quarter.
On Cheyenne’s next drive, the Desert Shields were rattled by sacks from Gideon Wydick and Iyan Bosket, forcing a punt. Horibe went right back to work, hitting Jace Wulfenstein for a first down before launching a 40-yard completion to Hamlin that brought the Trojans to the four-yard line. Horibe kept the ball himself for the touchdown, then found Paul Walker on the conversion to make it 24-0 by the end of the first quarter.
The Trojans kept piling on early in the second quarter. Dockter pounded the ball inside the one-yard line before Horibe leapt in for another score. Alvarez added the two-point conversion, stretching the advantage to 32-0. On the following Cheyenne series, Walker delivered a sack that set the Desert Shields back deep in their own territory. Cheyenne’s punt gave Pahrump great field position, and Horibe capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Alvarez, only to see the score erased by a holding penalty. Unfazed, Horibe scrambled on the next series for another rushing touchdown, and after the extra point, Pahrump led 39-0 with just under five minutes left in the half.
Cheyenne finally broke through with a questionable touchdown pass late in the half, trimming the deficit to 39-6 at the break.
The Desert Shields opened the second half with some energy, scoring on a rushing touchdown and adding a two-point conversion to make it 39-14. But the Trojans answered quickly. Horibe connected with Lucas Gavenda on a 28-yard completion, then immediately went back to him for a 45-yard touchdown pass. The extra point made it 46-14.
The defense again stood tall, with Dockter stuffing the run and Gavenda breaking up a pass before forcing another punt. Back on offense, Dockter carried the ball relentlessly, with runs of 6, 15, 5, and 6 yards to keep the chains moving. After Horibe found Paul Walker for a 15-yard gain, Dockter finished the drive with a rushing touchdown. Though the extra point missed, Pahrump held a comfortable 52-14 lead late in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth, Alvarez intercepted a Cheyenne pass and returned it to the Desert Shields’ 30-yard line. Cade Wulfenstein then rushed for gains of 12 and 8 yards before punching it in for another touchdown. The two-point attempt failed, but the Trojans were in full control at 58-14.
The defense closed the night emphatically. Alvarez, Hamlin, Joseph McDonald, and Angel Ware all contributed key tackles, while Bosket delivered a sack that forced a fumble recovered by Walker. With the game in hand, Horibe took a knee to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Colucci emphasized the significance of finishing strong before league play: “It was good to finish our non-conference schedule with a big win! We’re getting our defense tuned up and feel like we’ll be prepared for a physical four-quarter battle with a solid Virgin Valley team. It’s going to come down to the same things that it always does when we compete against these guys; the more physical, aggressive, disciplined team will have the best chance to win. We’re going to do everything in our power this week to make sure that’s our boys!”
Offensive Coordinator Toby Henry praised the continued production from the offense: “Yeah, we did a great job on offense on Friday night. Another game with 500 yards. We did a good job of doing what we should have done. We still have a couple of things to work on to beat Virgin Valley. If we just execute how we have been, we will be ok this week. It’s going to be a fun rivalry game this week. I’m excited.”
With non-conference play behind them, the Trojans turn their focus to Virgin Valley, ready for one of the most anticipated rivalry games of the season.
