Mortensens spark Moapa in 3A football win

All that Moapa Valley running back Conner Mortensen wanted was for his brother, kicker Dylan Mortensen, to have another chance Saturday.

Dylan Mortensen had a potential game-winning 49-yard field goal attempt blocked in the fourth quarter of a Class 3A state quarterfinal against visiting Virgin Valley.

But Conner Mortensen made sure his brother got another shot, scoring on a 5-yard run in overtime. Dylan Mortensen then booted the extra point to cap a dramatic 13-12 victory.

"That was a thriller. It almost gave me a heart attack," Conner Mortensen said. "Dylan has been working hard, and he deserves it. I'm very proud of him."

The Pirates (9-2) will host Lowry (9-2) in a state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday with hopes of reaching the 3A state title game for the sixth straight year.

Virgin Valley (5-5) had several chances to seal its first win over its biggest rival since 2007, but lost three fumbles in the final six minutes of regulation.

Holding a 6-0 lead with less than three minutes left, the Bulldogs took over on downs after a Moapa Valley incomplete pass. But Virgin Valley lost a fumble while trying to run out the clock.

On the next play, Moapa Valley's Dakota Watters threw a 38-yard TD pass to Brandon Johnson down the right sideline with 2:15 to play.

Virgin Valley had another shot to win when Wyett Williams returned the block of Dylan Mortensen's field goal attempt to Moapa Valley's 4-yard line. But the Bulldogs were flagged for a delay of game on second-and-goal from the 1.

Virgin Valley eventually lined up for a 26-yard field goal, which was blocked with 2.8 seconds left in regulation.

Bulldogs coach Kirk Hafen said the delay of game penalty was a bitter pill to swallow.

"The play was in, and I thought everything was good," Hafen said. "When we were down on the goal line, to see the officials throw a flag, that just ate at me."

Moapa Valley coach Brent Lewis said: "I haven't seen three minutes of football like that. Take your hat off to Virgin Valley. I felt like we were outcoached and outplayed. I feel bad for (Hafen) because he's such a good guy."

Bulldogs quarterback Humberto Urias scored on a 4-yard run in overtime, but his pass attempt on the conversion fell incomplete, setting the stage for the Mortensen brothers.

Virgin Valley struck first when Urias scored on a 13-yard run on the opening drive.

The Bulldogs dominated time of possession, running 53 times for 203 yards. Dee Bowler rushed for 86 yards on 14 attempts, Trevor Thompson for 72 on 19 carries and Urias for 44 on 19 rushes.

Watters passed for 81 yards, hooking up with Johnson three times for 76 yards.

■ The Meadows 48, Mountain View 8 -- At The Meadows, Garrett Gosse threw for 201 yards and three first-half touchdowns to lead the Mustangs (8-2) over the Saints (6-5) in a Class 2A state quarterfinal.

Max Newman hauled in all three of Gosse's TD passes, scoring on tosses of 30, 60 and 13 yards. Newman had 120 receiving yards on five catches.

Kenny Brown ran for 61 yards and three TDs for the Mustangs, who built a 34-8 halftime lead.

The Meadows' Chase Marrs ran for 90 yards on six carries, including a 33-yard touchdown.

Linebacker Torrey Mayes snagged two interceptions for the Mustangs, who will visit Pershing County in a semifinal next week.

Mountain View's only score came on Trevor Van Kempen's 7-yard quarterback keeper in the second quarter.

-- Nolan Lister