Cowboys run away with it against Rattlers

Richard Nelson made big plays throughout the regular season for Chaparral's football team.

When the Cowboys needed a boost on Thursday in their biggest game yet, they turned to the senior.

Nelson turned a short swing pass into a momentum-turning 61-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, and Chaparral earned a 34-12 victory over visiting Mojave in the opening round of the Division I-A Southern Region playoffs.

The Cowboys (8-2) will meet Sunset League champion Faith Lutheran (9-1) in the state quarterfinals next week.

"It's a culture thing," Chaparral coach Paul Nihipali said. "You've got to set the culture for these kids to get them to commit to the program. The staff stepped up to the plate. That's the key."

Nelson accounted for 122 yards and two touchdowns on offense, but it was his play on the Cowboys' second possession of the second half that proved pivotal.

Mojave defensive back Blake Fitzgerald intercepted Cowboys quarterback Andrew Solis on the second play of the third quarter, leading to an 8-yard touchdown run by Khalid Walker that cut Chaparral's lead to 20-6.

With Chaparral facing a third-and-11 on its ensuing possession, Nelson caught a quick pass in the flat, broke one tackle and slipped past another Rattlers defender before racing down the sideline to give the Cowboys a 27-6 lead with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter.

"With the kids playing at this level, we talk about mental toughness," Nihipali said. "We know we're strong, but mental toughness. When our back's against the wall, we step up to the plate, and I think they did that tonight."

Solis completed his first six passes and finished 11-for-16 for 214 yards and two touchdowns along with the interception. Casey Acosta scored touchdowns rushing and receiving in the first quarter and finished with 91 yards on three catches.

Nelson had with 48 yards rushing, including an 8-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter that pushed Chaparral's lead to 20-0, and 74 yards receiving on two catches.

Richard Hernandez added a 30-yard punt return for a touchdown with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter to put Chaparral on top 34-6.

Mojave scored a late touchdown on Taiwan Braden's 3-yard touchdown run with 15.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Xavier Spaight led the Rattlers (6-4) with 57 yards rushing on 12 carries, and Walker had 45 yards and a TD on 13 carries.

Hernandez recovered a Mojave fumble on the first play of the game, and Acosta scooted in from 18 yards out on the next play to stake the Cowboys to a 6-0 lead 11 seconds into the first quarter.

After a long Mojave drive sputtered, Solis threw a strike to Acosta over the middle and the speedy senior took it the rest of the way for an 80-yard touchdown that bumped the Cowboys' lead to 13-0 with 2:59 remaining in the first quarter.

"It's all about momentum at this level," Nihipali said. "I think it was mighty important. Our kids, in close games that's when we've struggled a little bit."

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.