The Virgin Valley High School flag football didn’t let a 39-0 white washing to front leader Boulder City last week affect their play Wednesday Jan.20 against the Cowboys from Chaparral High School as they held on for a 21-19 win.
Bulldog Elizabeth De Leon hauls in a Kallie Graves’ eight-yard pass for a score during the Dawgs 21-19 win over Chaparral Wednesday night, Jan. 20 in the Dawg Pound. Photo by Lou Martin.
The Gridiron Gals took their opening possession and drove for a touchdown. Bulldog quarterback Kallie Graves hit Elizabeth De Leon for eight yards and the score. Graves hit Katie Zuniga for the extra point and a 7-0 lead after nine minutes of play.
The Cowboys wasted no time scoring but a holding penalty negated the score. Bulldog Dylan Bryant stopped the drive with an interception giving the Dawgs another opportunity to score deep in Cowboy territory.
The Cowboys turned the table intercepting the Dawgs and regaining possession. The Cowboys behind running back Neshaune Franklin scored with 13 minutes remaining in the half. Bryant intercepted a Cowboy extra pint pass to keep the Dawgs on top 7-6. The speedy Franklin scored her second touchdown with seven minutes remaining to give the Cowboys their first lead of the game 13-7. Not to be outdone, the Dawgs regained the lead on a five yard run by Zuniga for six points. Graves hit Zuniga for point after giving the Dawgs a 14-13 lead at the break.
The Dawgs scored first in the second half on a Zuniga 52 yard scamper straight up the gut of the Cowboy defense. Graves hit McKenzie Leishman for the point after and a Bulldog 21-13 advantage with 17 minutes remaining in the game. The Bulldogs had no answer for the Cowboys Franklin as she scored her third touchdown of the game. The two point attempt failed keeping the Dawgs on top 21-19.
The Cowboys intercepted a Bulldog pass with five minutes remaining in the game. The Cowboys drove from their four yard line behind Franklin’s running but were stopped on the Bulldogs 24 yard line. The Dawgs ran out the clock to end the game.
Zuniga led the Dawg rushers with 118 yards followed by De Leon with 64 yards. Bryant and Leishman led the Dawg defense with interceptions. Bryant had nine stops followed by Emily Teerlink with seven pulls. Franklin led the Cowboys with 203 yards on the ground. The win keeps the Dawgs in third place with a 5-2 record.
The Dawgs travel to Sunrise Mountain Friday Jan.22 before returning on Tuesday Jan. 26 against Desert Pines.
