After running roughshod over four 3A Sunset league opponents, the Virgin Valley High School Bulldog football team will face their biggest test of the season as they open Sunrise League play against their mirror image, the Boulder City High School Eagles at B.C. in a televised Thursday night matchup. The Eagles also feature a big bruising running back in Thorsten Balmer. Balmer has rushed for 707 yards on 90 carries in only four games. The Eagles have gone 3-1 during their preseason. The Eagles lost their season opener to Sunset League favorite Cheyenne before defeating three 3A opponents in a row. The Bulldogs and Eagles have defeated three common preseason opponents in Democracy Prep, Western and Pahrump Valley High Schools. Balmer ran for 152, 211 and 214 yards in the wins. The Eagles win over Pahrump Valley 32-28 was comparable to the Dawgs defeat of the same Trojans 26-24. The Eagles passing game led by Q. B. Parker Reynolds has not been a factor in their first four games.
The Bulldogs will counter with their ‘Monster Back’ Wyatt Delano who also has run for over 700 yards in the Bulldogs five straight wins and a first place in the Southern Nevada 3A polls. The Bulldog defense will be tested as they face the Eagles vaunted running attack but they must be ready for anything especially passing after watching game film of the Blue Knight’s passing game against the Dawgs. The Bulldog defensive backs must finish through their tackles to prevent long gainers. Bulldog quarterback Mebs Hollingshead passing has not been needed the past two games as the Dawgs have kept it out on the ground. Don’t be surprised if Hollingshead has a great game in the air and on the ground. New Bulldog kicker Tanner Shepherds, an exchange student from New Zealand, could be the difference. Bulldogs win a close one 21-20.
