Bulldogs celebrate the big win over Moapa Valley last week. Cesar Zarate #4 center holds ‘The Hammer’ which was returned to the Virgin Valley after nine years in Moapa. Photo by Lou Martin
As advertised, the Virgin Valley High School football game against Del Sol High School Friday night was a barn burner with the Dawgs holding off the Dragons in the fourth period for a 34-20 win. The Bulldog big three, Jaden Perkins, Hogan Fowles and Cesar Zarate again led the Dawgs to victory. Perkins had 132 yards on the ground for three touch downs, Fowles added 102 yards rushing for a T.D. plus completing 4 passes for 129 yards and Zarate had a 79 yard reception for a T.D. intercepted a Dragon pass plus kicked four extra points to lead the Dawgs.
The Dawgs jumped on the Dragons early in the first period scoring first on a Perkins two yard smash, Zarate’s P.A.T. was good for a 7-0 Bulldog lead. The Dawgs struck quickly with 15 seconds remaining in the first period on a 79 yard pass and run from Fowles to Zarate. The P.A.T. kick was no good upping the Dawgs lead to 13-0.
The Bulldog defense gave their offense the opportunity to score once more in the second period Perkins went in from 3 yards out and a huge Bulldog lead with 2:50 remaining in the half. The Dragons were not out of fire power as they shocked the Dawgs with two T.D.’s in an 18 second span to cut the Bulldog lead to 20-14 after one half of play. Dragon Barry Williams scored from 50 yards out on a pass from Maalik Flowers. Taariq Flowers P.A.T. was good. Eighteen seconds later Christopher Williams intercepted Fowles for 35 yard touchdown. Taariq Flowers point after was good.
The Dragons took the opening kickoff of the second half downfield behind the running of Taaliq Flowers for the tying touchdown. T. Flowers P.A.T. failed. T. Flowers was injured on the play and never returned. The Bulldogs responded late in the third period with a Perkins romp through the Dragons defense for the go ahead T.D. giving the Bulldogs a 27-20 advantage. Fowles would put an exclamation mark on the win with a keeper up the middle for 34 yards and a Bulldog score. Zarate’s fourth extra point gave the Dawgs the win at 34-20. “It was good to see our boys come back from adversity after leading by 20 points,” said Bulldog head coach Yori Ludvigson. “They kept their head in the game and pulled out the win. We played well on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs record went to 6-1 for the season and most importantly 2-0 in 3A Sunrise League play. The win assured the Dawgs a playoff spot with two games remaining in league. The Dawgs host co-leader Chaparral next Friday Oct. 14 and finish at Boulder City the following week. The Cowboy game should determine the Sunrise winner as the Eagles have been blasted this year by most opponents. Look for Bulldog- Cowboy game preview in this section.
