The Trojans redeemed themselves in last week’s win against Boulder City and hope to continue their success against Chaparral.
According to Trojans coach Joe Clayton, his team will have to defend against the pass to win the game.
“The Cowboys (2-1 overall, Sunrise League) are a passing team, they are quick and athletic,” the coach said. “These guys are averaging 44 points a game and they put up 44 points against a good Basic team.”
Clayton said his team is best defensively when they exert pressure on the quarterback.
He said the Trojans (2-1, Sunset League) have some good, experienced players on defense, and this is one of the best defensive squads he has coached.
“Garret Monje and Aaron Fuentes are two of our best pass rushers,” Clayton said. “We will just let those two loose.”
He said his defense is getting good penetration and quickness off the line this year.
Offensively, the Trojans are coming off a great game against Boulder City where the Trojans didn’t have any turnovers and rushed for 207 yards.
In that game, Pahrump used 10 rushers, and when asked if fans would see more of the same against Chaparral, the coach said nothing was changing. He said running by committee gives his key players a rest.
The Opposition
The Cowboys have a quick and athletic QB in senior Santiago Vialpando. He has thrown this year for 917 yards in three games, where the team averaged 44 points per game.
Vialpando operates out of the shotgun and the team is a spread offense set. Vialpando can throw on the run and is a good pocket passer.
He also has an experienced core of receivers that can catch and are also a run threat.
The good news for the Trojans is that Chaparral does give up the run. Basic was able to rush for 249 yards against them. Pahrump should be able to run up the middle and even around the corners on this team.
Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com
Trojans roster
62 Jeremy Albertson
2 Cory Bergan
57 Brandon Bunker
8 Dylan Coffman
52 David Diaz
17 Jesse Dillon
44 Aaron Fuentes
5 Parker Hart
40 Brian Horton
1 Daniel Kinkade
58 Ryan Lopez
56 Pietro Mariano
51 Garrett Monje
21 Case Murphy
11 Mauricio Quintana
12 Nickolas Redmond
33 David Roundy
78 Heber Roundy
6 Jacob Sawin
7 Joey Sladek
68 Justin Soliwoda
34 Nico Velasquez
66 Cole Walker
22 Drew Walker
70 Morgan White
CHAPARRAL
League: Class 3A Sunrise
Head coach: Paul Nihipali, third season (14-8)
2015 record: 9-3 (5-1 Sunrise League, second)
Returning lettermen: 22
Returning starters: Seven offense, six defense
Base offensive set: Spread
Base defensive set: 4-3
Top offensive players: OL Kalani Lealeo (Jr.), RB Jacob Ford (Sr.), WR Kentrell Petite (Sr.)
Top defensive players: C/DT Jose Bravo (Sr.), DE Jesus Fernandez (Sr.), S Tayray Collins (Jr.)
Key losses: RB/LB Richard Nelson, WR/DB Casey Acosta, WR Antwain Allen