Perfect Pahranagat Valley coasts to third title in row

Cody Hosier has been involved in some special performances as a Pahranagat Valley football player.

But the senior quarterback and cornerback had never seen a defensive showing like the one that carried the unbeaten Panthers to their third straight Class 1A state championship Saturday.

Pahranagat held explosive Coleville (Calif.) scoreless until the fourth quarter on its way to a 40-6 victory in the state final at Arbor View High School.

"I would say it's at the top," Hosier said of the Panthers' defensive showing. "Holding a team like Coleville to six points is an awesome accomplishment."

With its 34th consecutive victory, Pahranagat (12-0) won its 14th state title overall and captured three straight for the first time since 1986 to 1988.

"It just shows the dedication we have to this program and how much we care about keeping the tradition we have going," Panthers receiver and linebacker Kale Leavitt said.

Coleville (11-1) entered averaging 63.8 points and 412.6 yards. The Wolves were held to 161 yards, and their six points were their fewest since 2006.

Coleville receiver Emmi Sandoval entered with 53 catches for 1,258 yards and 20 touchdowns, but was limited to two catches for 29 yards. The Wolves had only 76 yards rushing.

"There were some open-field tackles you just don't see at the high school level," Pahranagat coach Ken Higbee said. "Our kids were in position the majority of the time and did a great job of defending them and controlling what they do."

Leavitt added: "We pride ourselves on the defensive side. We'd rather shut out people than score 60 or 80 points."

Offensively, the Panthers set the tone by opening with a 13-play, 65-yard drive that spanned 7:20 and ended with Tyler Higbee's 1-yard touchdown run.

"It just showed we could handle them up front," said Leavitt, who scored on a 6-yard run and an 18-yard pass from Hosier in the second half.

The Panthers' ground game was strong even without leading rusher Chase Hansen, who didn't play because of a concussion. Tyler Higbee ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and Austin Poulsen gained 51 yards on eight rushes.

Hosier passed for 133 yards and two scores, finishing the season with 36 touchdown passes and one interception.

The victory cemented Pahranagat's status as one of the nation's best eight-man programs. It is ranked as the No. 4 eight-man team by MaxPreps.com.

"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work for our kids," Ken Higbee said. "Now we can sit back and say, 'We've done something special.' "

The scariest thought for the rest of 1A is that Pahranagat will lose only three seniors: Hosier, Leavitt and lineman Jeremy Roemer.

"It's pretty sad knowing this is the last year with these guys," Hosier said, "but it's exciting to know I won three straight with them."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird tard@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.