Lady Bulldogs win State! – The Progress – mvprogress

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

Despite the wind and rain, VVHS quarterback Aracely Lopez tries to evade Boulder City defender Annalie Porter during the State Championship game played Wednesday night in Mesquite. Photo by Jason Andrus

After four frustrating years of runner-up finishes, the Virgin Valley High School Flag Football program can now call itself state champions.

The Lady Bulldogs survived brutal weather conditions driving rain, whipped by cold gusting winds and a scrappy effort from Boulder City, to defeat the Lady Eagles 13-6 and capture the NIAA State 3A Championship on Tuesday night inside Evan Wilson Stadium.

The victory caps off a perfect 18-0 season for the Lady Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 1 in the nation according to Max Preps.It feels really good to finally win one, VVHS head coach Joey Bowler said. These girls set a goal before the season started to win a state championship and go undefeated. Im proud of them.

After battling the elements and each other to a scoreless first half, the Lady Bulldogs got on the scoreboard on their first possession of the second half.

Virgin Valley went 60 yards in eight plays to score on quarterback Nina Miramontes two-yard touchdown pass to Calla Haviland.Boulder City answered by marching 60 yards in eight plays to pull even at 6-6 with 2:05 to play in the third quarter. Quarterback Salah Coplin converted on a one-yard TD pass to Annalie Porter for the touchdown on fourth down.

After an exchange of possessions, Virgin Valley drove for the go-ahead score midway through the final quarter of play.

Starting at their own 31-yard line, the Lady Bulldogs moved into Boulder City territory thanks to a heads up play by Haviland. Miramontes, who completed 14-of-23 passes for 125 yards, threw a pass over the middle that was deflected into the air by a Boulder City defender. Haviland alertly came back for the ball and made the catch for a 33-yard gain on the Lady Eagles 18-yard line.

VVHS senior Calla Haviland gets her flag pulled while running the ball at the 3A State game played in Mesquite on Wednesday. Photo by Jason Andrus.

Two plays later, Miramontes tossed a 12-yard pass into the right corner of the end zone where Haviland made a finger-tip grab for the touchdown. Miramontes connected with Tyra Ludvigson on the conversion pass putting Virgin Valley up 13-6 with 7:45 remaining.

After forcing a three-and-out on the Lady Eagles next possession, the Lady Bulldogs were able to run out the clock in seven plays with Miramontes taking a knee on the final play.

This is a special group of girls, Bowler said. They work hard, theyre good kids and fun to coach. Its really hard to go undefeated in any sport, but these girls did it.

Aracely Lopez had an outstanding night running the ball for the Lady Bulldogs. The junior rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries. Graicee Draney added 30 yards on five carries while Kelly Denninghoff had 27 yards on eight carries.

Haviland had six receptions for 92 yards with Ludvigson catching four passes for 23 yards.

Defensively, Haviland and Mercades Jordan had five flag pulls each and Cheyann Hafen four. Miriam Ramirez had two quarterback sacks and a pass breakup.

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Lady Bulldogs win State! - The Progress - mvprogress