Bulldogs entertain Cowboys for Sunrise League lead
The Virgin Valley High School football team entertains Chaparral Friday night in the Dawg Pound in one of the biggest games of coach Yori Luvigson’s tenure. After going 4-5 the previous two seasons, coach Ludvigson’s young squad is at 6-1 going into Friday’s matchup. Both squads sit atop the 3A Sunrise League with 2-0 records. Overall the Cowboys are at 4-3 and the Dawgs stand at 6-1.
The Cowboys 4-3 record should not be overlooked as the Chaparral team has faced four 4A teams in preseason play, routing Bonanza and Eldorado. Their one loss against 3A teams was at Pahrump High School, where they were upset by the Trojans, 28-21. The Cowboys will rely on the passing of quarterback Santago Vialpando, who has completed 108 of 168 pass attempts for 1,756 yards and 22 touchdowns. Vialpando averages over 17 yards per pass to receivers Kantrell Petite and Devon Gaddy.
The Cowboy ground attack is led by Jacob Ford who has rushed for 262 yards. The Cowboys like spread their receivers out and rely on their speedsters to take it to the house. The only common opponent this year has been Del Sol as the Cowboys defeated the Dragons 34-8 and the Dawgs won 34-20.
The Bulldogs will counter the Cowboy passing game with a controlled offense behind the running of Jaden Perkins and quarterback Hogan Fowles. Senior wide out and kicker Cesar Zarate could be the Bulldogs ace in the hole with his quickness and kicking abilities.
The Dawgs ground game counts on a heavy dose of Perkins who has rushed for 848 yards this season on 161 carries. The Dawgs defense led by lineman Chase Henderson, Jaden Dalton and linebacker Perkins will need to pressure Vialpando keeping the long throws to a minimum.
It will be another test for the Bulldogs on their quest for a Sunrise regular season title and top seed going into the 3A Southern Division playoffs.
