Grizzlies hold off Trojans, take over first place in Sunset

Spring Valley’s Michael Bianco scored on a 6-yard pass from Christian Tasi, and Marcus Dawson provided a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown as the Grizzlies (5-2, 4-1 in Division 1-A Sunset) held off visiting Pahrump Valley (3-4, 2-3) on Friday.

The win put Spring Valley alone in first place in the Sunset League.

After both teams exchanged a turnover, a punt, and a turnover on downs, Tasi rolled to his right and threw back across his body to a wide-open Bianco in the end zone on the final play of the first half to cap a 14-play drive, and give Spring Valley a 7-0 lead.

Pahrump Valley had a 45-yard drive to Spring Valley’s 15-yard line to start the second half, but it ended with an interception by the Grizzlies’ Dustin Kekahuna-Kahue.

Dawson jumped an out-route on a 4th down play for the Trojans at midfield, and raced 53 yards down the right sideline untouched for a score to give Spring Valley a 13-0 cushion with 2:31 left to play.

After Dawson’s interception, Pahrump Valley’s Deon Estes returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards, and a personal foul penalty set up the Trojans on Spring Valley’s 11-yard line. Quarterback T.J. Milk then rifled an 11-yard strike to Devlin Dillon, who made a diving catch between two defenders to make it 13-7.

Estes recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the Grizzlies forced three straight incompletions and a turnover on downs.

Bianco, who finished with 60 yards, busted a second down, 19-yard carry that allowed Spring Valley to kneel out the clock.

Tasi connected on 8 of 13 passes for 79 yards, with 57 yards to Mycah Benoza.

Samuel Tucsnak had 12 tackles for Pahrump Valley, which got a sack from B.J. Apolo.