FERNLEY — A joke circulated among the fans who traveled to Fernley High School on Saturday. “I hope the last one out of town locked the door,” they said to each other.
The home crowd wondered if anybody remained at home. It seemed the entire population of Lovelock came to watch the Pershing County Mustangs fight for the NIAA Class 2A state championship.
Babies, grandparents, teachers, and classmates, spilled onto the grounds surrounding the bleachers. Former Mustang Marcus Nester tossed a football with Ethan Rhodes in a halftime warmup. The wind threatened to whip hairstyles into tangled messes, but somehow the spirit squad’s bows stayed in place on their ponytails.
“It was amazing to see so many people come out to support our football team,” said Megan Peterson.
She, Ximena Gomez, Jennifer Chandler, and Glenda Christiansen cheered the squad through an undefeated season that culminated in the state title.
Pershing County (12-0) delivered the first jab in the duel between the two best teams in the state. Rhodes, the senior quarterback for the Mustangs, hit Will McKinney-Gattrell for a touchdown with 4:52 left in the first quarter.
“The whole team worked hard,” said Rhodes. “I couldn't have done it without them. I want to thank the coaches for believing in my ability to lead the team to a state title.”
That’s where the score stayed until Yerington’s Sean Monahan scored a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and the Lions jumped in front 7-6 with 10:46 left in the game.
The home crowd got a little worried, so they cheered louder – loudly enough for Tad Milich to hear them when he ran the ball into the end zone with 6:15 to spare.
“It was cool,” said Milich. “It’s pretty special how our small town came out and supported us.”
The Lions kept charging until Pershing County’s Will McKinney-Gattrell intercepted a fourth-down pass at the 10-yard line. Yerington suffered a blow during the final drive, losing Monahan to an injury.
The crowd, team, and coaches went wild as they realized the Mustangs had just won the state championship for the first time since 2012. Yerington had won the last three titles.
“The team stayed together no matter what and gave their hearts on the field,” said McKinney-Gattrell. “What stands out most is the support we got from home and our execution on both offense and defense.”
Pershing County head coach Dave McLean agreed.
“This game was about both defenses battling hard,” said the head coach. “Coach Condie did a great job getting our defense ready. Then the kids did an awesome job executing it.”
Condie is the defensive coordinator for the squad. Craig Tippens coaches running backs and linebackers. Dan Murphy works with the offensive and defensive line. Mike Brooks leads the JV players. And Buzz Brooks coaches defensive ends and running backs. Shane Plummer and Donald Pilon manage the team.
“I am just really proud and happy for our players and coaching staff,” continued McLean. “It’s been a long grind for everyone and for it to turn out this way is amazing. Lane Condie, Ricky Camarena, Anthony Montes, Daylon Vasquez and Ben Plimpton all had tremendous games from the linebacker positions. Not to mention that big interception by Willie at the end of the game.”
For 14 Mustang seniors, Saturday was more than the end of a season – and more than the final game of their high school years. Justice Carmichael said that he and his senior teammates have talked about winning the title since they were 10-years-old.
“We set the goal at a young age, and I’m so proud of us for achieving our childhood dream,” he said.
“We’ve wanted to win this for a long time,” agreed Milich. “This is what every little kid dreams of when they first pick up a football.”
The home crowd beat the Mustang’s bus back to Lovelock and organized a welcoming parade for the boys.
Sirens wailed up and down Cornell Street. Firetrucks and police cars escorted the victors to the parking lot at PCHS where family members hugged their student athletes and admired their medals.
Megan Peterson looked at the crowd and smiled.
“I think this is what I love most about our town, how supportive we are of each other and we all come together for important occasions,” she said. “It meant so much to me, and the rest of the squad to see our boys win state. They deserved it, and I’m so incredibly proud of them and our little town.”
