The Virgin Valley High School Bulldog football team opens the season tomorrow night in Las Vegas against 1-A Sunset League opponent Western High School. The Bulldogs will be facing an opponent, who like the Bulldogs this year, went through a rough rebuilding season in 2013. The Warriors were outscored 493-27 by Division 1-A, opponents last year and went 0-9 for the season. The Warriors are counting on last year’s freshman and sophomores to show rapid improvement in 2014.
Meanwhile, first-year Coach Yori Ludvigson is attempting to build a bulldog team from his almost senior-less squad. The Bulldogs graduated all starters from last year’s team which went 8-3. “We welcomed about 74 kids for opening practice,” said coach Ludvigson. “We have a great group of kids who are doing everything we ask. They have shown up for practice from day one and seem to love what they are doing. We have chosen 26 kids for the varsity squad. Senior Junior Paongo has been named captain and is working hard helping the younger kids. He is explosive from the backfield and will be counted on to anchor the defense from his outside linebacker position. Junior running back Kai Mitchell adds quickness and athleticism to the position. Although inexperienced, our offensive line has improved 1000 % since the first day of practice. Senior Branden Haun worked hard during the off-season and should be a leader along the line. Jarron Linge, Cody Jones and last year’s backup Tony Urias are battling for the quarterback position. We will select a starter after our scrimmages this week in Las Vegas.” Coach Ludvigson has stated that his offense is basic spread shotgun but will get, as he says, ‘nasty’ with a tight double tight end, two back set when needed.
The Dawgs will need to improve fast as they will face another Sunset League opponent next week at Faith Lutheran. The Crusaders are the defending Division 1-A state champions. The Bulldogs will host Del Sol High School on September 12 in their first Sunrise League game. Del Sol played Division 1 ball last season.
(Home Games are in Bold)
8/29 7:00p @ Western (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Western High School
9/5 7:00p @ Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Faith Lutheran High School
9/12 7:00p Del Sol (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Virgin Valley High School
9/19 7:00p Rancho (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Virgin Valley High School
9/27 7:00p Sunrise Mountain (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Virgin Valley High School
10/02 7:00p @ Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Desert Pines High School
10/10 7:00p @ Moapa Valley (Overton, NV) Location: Moapa Valley High School ***Rivalry Game***
10/17 7:00p Chaparral (Las Vegas, NV) Location: Virgin Valley High School
10/24 7:00p @ Boulder City (Boulder City, NV) Location: Boulder City High School
Roster (As of 8/26/14)
Andrew Memmott So.
Anthony Ocampo So.
Anthony Pihl
Arden Bundy Jr.
Bobby Pulver Fr.
Branden Haun Sr.
Brayden Johnson So.
Brenden Irvin Fr.
Brogan Bingham Fr.
Cesar Zarate So.
Chase Henderson So.
Chris Tarrayo Fr.
Christian Wall So.
Cody Jones Jr.
Cole Stenberg Fr.
Crescent Crandall Fr.
Cristo Flores Jr.
Dakota Munford Fr.
Dallan Tanner Fr.
Danny Castro So.
David Brown Jr.
Dayden Payne So.
Diego Burriel Jr.
Dillan Fuqua Fr.
Easton Jensen Fr.
Edgar Cruz Sr.
Evan Wilson So.
Ezra Patten Jr.
Feofaki Paongo Sr.
Hogan Fowles So.
Isaac Draskovich Sr.
Jace Burrows Fr.
Jacob Baird So.
Jacob Musser Fr.
Jacob Ruvalcaba So.
Jaden Dalton So.
Jaret Tietjen So.
Jario Vallajo Jr.
Jaron Linge Jr.
Jayden Perkins Fr.
Jose Ramos Jr.
Josh Abbott Fr.
Josh Bishop Jr.
Julian Reyes Jr.
Justin Wallace So.
Kai Mitchell Jr.
Keaton Ogden Fr.
Logan Felix Fr.
Lorin Reber Jr.
Marcelo Lara Jr.
Marlan Felshaw Jr.
Mern Hafen Jr.
Micheal Jorge
Nathan Cannon Fr.
Nick Cox Jr.
Oscar Colmenero So.
River Biasi Jr.
Roger Murdock
Ryan Frump Jr.
Sal Guzman So.
Thomas Lee
Tim Moeai Fr.
Tony Urais Jr.
Trevon Hollingshead
Trevor Anderson Fr.
Tristen Goldtooth So.
Zach Barnum Jr.
Brayton Hampsten So.
Team History (According to nevadapreps.com)
State championships: 2006, 1994, 1987, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1974, 1970
Recent state runner-up finishes: 2007, 2005, 2003, 1996
Recent league championships: 2007, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1996
Recent playoff appearances: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
2013 postseason: Sunrise League’s No. 3 seed
Division I-A Southern Region
First Round, defeated Mojave, 47-0
Division I-A State
Quarterfinals, lost to Moapa Valley, 20-13