Moapa Valley falls to Spring Creek in 3A football state semifinal — PHOTOS

OVERTON — Moapa Valley’s football team had just extended its lead to 26-14 late in the third quarter over Spring Creek in Saturday’s Class 3A state semifinal, and it appeared the Pirates were going to cruise to their second straight state title game appearance.

But one play shifted the momentum and denied Moapa Valley that chance. On the ensuing kickoff after the Moapa Valley score, Spring Creek’s Nolen Francis ran the kick back 88 yards for a touchdown to make it a one-possession game.

The touchdown turned things into Spring Creek’s favor as the Spartans rallied for a 29-26 road victory over the Southern League regular-season champion Pirates at Moapa Valley.

“It was definitely a momentum changer and didn’t seem like we recovered too well after that on the next following series,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “We kind of had a busted play where we didn’t block the right guys and (Spring Creek) was able to capitalize (on the go-ahead score) and that just further gave them more momentum.

“It was a tough one,” Lewis said. “If we stop that kick return and tackle it, we win going away. But because it was such a momentum boost for them, they were able to capitalize. Good football teams capitalize on moments like that, and they did.”

Spring Creek (11-2) will play Northern League regular-season champion Churchill County (12-0) for the 3A state title at 12:20 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium. Churchill County rolled to a 47-14 home victory over Pahrump Valley (6-5) in the other state semifinal Saturday.

“Tough place to play, tough road trip down (6½ hours) here,” Spring Creek coach Hunter Thomsen said. “We played an amazing game. That is a good team we just beat. There was ups, there was downs, our guys never quit. They never stopped fighting. They kept freaking believing. This is an awesome win for our program.”

After the kickoff return, Moapa Valley (8-3) went three-and-out on its ensuing possession and gave the Spartans a short field after a short punt while holding a 26-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Spring Creek capitalized on the short field when Landon Boyle scored on a 10-yard run and the 2-point try was good as the Spartans took a 29-26 lead with 10:10 to play.

Francis came up with a play on defense, intercepting Moapa Valley quarterback Kamden Drosos as Spring Creek killed off four minutes of clock before turning the ball over on downs. Moapa Valley had one more chance, but on a fourth-and-6, Drosos’ pass attempt was incomplete and the Spartans ran out the final 4:15 to reach the title game.

“That’s a tough loss,” Lewis said. “A hard fought game, just a couple of key plays that was the difference. Our kids have nothing to be ashamed about. We’re just disappointed because we felt like that was one we let get away.”

Drosos, a senior, threw for 152 yards and three touchdowns for Moapa Valley and added 44 rushing yards. Drosos’ 20-yard touchdown pass to senior Ryker Katich gave Moapa Valley a 26-14 lead in the third quarter before Spring Creek returned the kickoff.

Senior Briggs Hickman rushed for 97 yards and had a tackle for loss, and junior Ashton Hickman added 42 rushing yards with a 9-yard touchdown run and a 55-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first half to give Moapa Valley a 20-14 lead. Katich finished with four catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns.

Moapa Valley lost a heartbreaker to Churchill County 21-14 in last year’s 3A title game at UNR, and the Pirates were looking to win the program’s 18th state title and first since 2021.

“It’s a tremendous senior group,” Lewis said. “Seventeen seniors have given their blood, sweat and tears to us for four years. It’s going to be impossible to replace some of these athletes. We were full of athletes and didn’t quite capitalize today.”

Maison Morris led Spring Creek with 94 rushing yards and a 66-yard touchdown run, and Landon Boyle rushed for 52 yards and touchdowns of 3 and 10 yards. Spring Creek attempted six passes and racked up 217 rushing yards.

“That was the best game we played all year,” Thomsen said. “And that’s when you want to play your best football. (The kickoff return for a touchdown) was huge. Our kids kept fighting and believing, we needed something big to happen. That was the change in the game.”

2A state semifinals

No. 2N Coral Academy Reno 16, No. 1S Lincoln County 12: At Panaca, the host Lynx (11-1) suffered their first loss of the season in a Class 2A state semifinal on Saturday. Lincoln County was seeking its first title game appearance since 2022.

Coral Academy (9-2) will play Pershing County (11-0) at 10 a.m. on Nov. 21 at McQueen High in Reno for the 2A state title. Pershing County, the top seed from the North, defeated Lake Mead Academy 52-17 in the other 2A state semifinal Saturday at Pershing County. Lake Mead Academy, the No. 3 seed from the South, finishes 6-5.

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