3A HONORS: Pirates run away with league awards

Moapa Valley’s football team was rewarded for its sixth straight trip to the Class 3A state title game with a host of honors in Class 3A Southern League awards, as voted on by coaches.

Junior running back Conner Mortensen was named Most Valuable Player, senior guard Taylor Schwartz took Lineman of the Year, and Brent Lewis earned Coach of the Year.

The Pirates had 15 players earn first-team all-league honors.

Mortensen is one of the area’s leading rushers with 1,360 yards and 22 touchdowns as he leads Moapa Valley (10-2) into the Class 3A state final against Truckee (11-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Damonte Ranch High in Reno.

Schwartz anchors an offensive line that has paved the way for 200.1 rushing yards per game, and has 57 tackles and two sacks as a defensive lineman.

Offensive Player of the Year went to Virgin Valley senior quarterback Humberto Urias, and senior middle linebacker Nolan Tanner was the Defensive Player of the Year.

The tandem led the Bulldogs to a 5-5 record and a trip to the Class 3A state quarterfinals.