3A STATE: Moapa Valley again last hurdle in Truckee’s path

Moapa Valley’s football program is in the Class 3A state championship game for the sixth straight year.

Truckee has won 35 straight games, including the past two state finals over the Pirates.

If anything is certain about Saturday’s 6 p.m. state title game between the teams at Damonte Ranch High in Reno, it’s that both programs bring plenty of tradition.

“We’re all really excited. We want to win this time and finish what we couldn’t the last two years,” Moapa Valley tight end/linebacker Jacob Rebman said.

Moapa Valley (10-2) faces Truckee (11-0) in the state final for the fourth consecutive season, looking for its first win in the series since 2008.

The Wolverines won last year’s game 27-7 and took the 2009 final, 27-0.

“They’re a lot to prepare for,” Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said. “They’re a wing-T team, but they have a lot of formations. They hand the ball off to six different kids and might throw it to 10 kids. They’re very versatile and very disciplined.”

Another possible hurdle facing the Pirates is that Lewis said regular starting quarterback Dakota Watters has a “slim” chance to play.

Watters missed last week’s 19-6 semifinal win over Lowry with a thigh contusion he suffered during a 13-12 quarterfinal win over Virgin Valley.

Lewis, however, said he is confident in sophomore quarterback Lance Hilton and that junior Josh Repp also will be ready. The 6-foot-2-inch Hilton was 7-for-10 for 71 yards and a touchdown with an interception against Lowry.

“I’ve got full confidence in either one of them,” Lewis said. “For us, it’s about the line of scrimmage — if we block.”

Defense has lifted the Pirates to the title game, allowing a total of 18 points in two playoff victories. It will become even more important against Truckee, which has averaged 403.6 yards of offense per game.

“Our defense has carried us, and I think we’ve gotten better and better,” Lewis said. “We’ve tackled better and been disciplined. If we can play good defense against Truckee, that will be key.”

Rebman has been a force with 67 tackles and a team-high 8½ sacks. He said one of the reasons the Pirates have excelled defending the pass is because of their defensive line’s pressure.

“Our defensive line is just amazing,” Rebman said. “People have to worry about them. We’re going to need it a lot against Truckee.”

Moapa Valley’s defense has been complemented by a consistent rushing attack, led by Conner Mortensen’s 1,360 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Lewis called his team “focused and determined.” It can’t hurt having played well on big stages earlier in the season, including a 28-26 victory over Show Low (Ariz.) in the Sollenberger Classic and a 49-40 win at Del Sol.

“I know for a fact our tough schedule is going to help us,” Lewis said. “You can always fall back on that experience, but it’s about lining up and being the more physical team.”