Pahrump Valley High School Football

Coming off a stellar shutout last week against Pinecrest Academy Cadence, the Trojans were hungry to show fans how it’s done at home.

Taking care of business 56-14 in a non-league victory over the Chaparral Cowboys Friday, the Trojans were tenacious from the jump.

Electing to receive the ball first, the Cowboys were forced to punt on their opening set after committing five false-start penalties that upended the momentum-building drive.

The Trojans (2-0) wasted little time getting on the board as quarterback Kayne Horibe was able to find junior wideout Ryan Hamlin over the top for 27 yards to cap off a 74-yard opening drive. Hamlin finished the night with two receiving touchdowns and an interception on defense.

The Cowboys caught an unfortunate break their next return as senior QB Hayden Rogers ran it back on the kickoff to tie the game but was later called back for a block in the back penalty.

Another false start would plague the Cowboys on fourth and three on their own 34-yard line before Trojans junior DE/TE Paul Walker was able to sack Rogers in the backfield to mitigate the Cowboys’ opportunity to score.

The Trojans offense that finished with 482 total yards would surge again as Horibe took it on himself on a quarterback sneak to put the Trojans up 13-0.

Answering right back the following drive, Rogers was able to dial a 51-yard pass that connected for the Cowboys’ first score with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter to make it a 13-8 game.

Following a failed onside kick by the Cowboys that put the Trojans in great field position, Horibe was able to find Alvarez wide open for 16 yards down the left sideline to begin the second quarter, putting the Trojans up 21-8.

On the evening, the senior quarterback completed 13 of 20 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns while also getting it done on the ground for 173 yards rushing and another three touchdowns.

With an injury sustained to Trojans junior kicker Aaron Rily last week during their away game, senior RB/LB Joshua Slusher was called up to fill the roll of kicker.

And boy did he rise to the challenge.

After leading 21-8, the Cowboys called for a re-kick on Slusher’s kickoff after wanting another crack at trying to find the end zone on special teams.

Well, the Cowboys got what they wanted as Slusher was able to place a beautiful kick that bounced just past the marker to give the Trojans the ball back.

Slusher finished the night with two on-side kicks, a late rushing touchdown and four point-after conversions.

“We just have guys on special teams who don’t get a bunch of playing time so they’re hungry. When they get that playing time, they want to eat. You have them make mistakes but they go 100% every time,” Slusher said. “And it helps when I can just kick the ball and not worry that they’re going to go as hard as they can to get the ball.”

Wasted opportunities have appeared seldom thus far in the season as the Trojans charged another consecutive drive to a touchdown following an 18-yard pass reeled in by junior WR/CB Angel Ware to give the boys a 29-8 lead.

The Trojans extended their lead to 42-8 before the Cowboys would show some late life in the beginning of the third quarter when Rogers took it to the house on a quarterback keeper.

Putting the Cowboys away to start the running clock, the Trojans would score on a 49-yard pass from Horibe to Hamlin and again on a three-yard run by Slusher to cement the 56-14 victory.

When asked about the home field support, head coach Thom Walker said he was through the roof.

“It was absolutely amazing, the place was packed and it was rocking,” coach Walker said. “This town is so awesome. I love it here and love our community’s support.”

Heading into a tough match-up next week against Spring Valley, coach Walker said the team will rest up over the weekend and hit Monday hard.

“We’ll take this weekend just to get everybody on film and show up Monday,” Walker said. “It’s a holiday but we’ll be out here grinding for next week.”

The Trojans are set to host Spring Valley at home next Friday at 7 p.m.

Contact Jacob Powers at jpowers@pvtimes.com. Follow @jaypowers__ on X.