The Pershing County High School football team will host Lincoln County on Saturday at 1 p.m. with an opportunity to advance to the state championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, at McQueen High School in Reno.
The undefeated Pershing County High School football team hosted West Wendover in the opening round of the NIAA 2A State Championships at Joe Yanni Field this past Friday night.
The Mustangs beat the Wolverines with a final score of 59-6, after the first quarter ended with the Pershing County ahead 40-0.
"It’s great to get home playoff games. We were very happy with our team's performance," coach Mike Brooks said.
Senior RB/CB Denzel Zaldivar scored two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. Before the end of the first half, he added a touchdown reception.
“Trenton (Rhodes) and Michael (Reitz) had some key blocks to spring Denzel for his touchdowns,” said Brooks. “Luis (Sanchez) ran the ball well and Travis Donaldson continues his great season leading the offense.”
Ramon Sanchez (25) defends against the West Wendover Wolverines in the first round of the playoffs.
“Defensively, Tyrn (Sam) played really well. He had some tackles for loss and intercepted a pass tipped by Landon (Fitzpatrick) and returned it 101 yards for the score.”
The coach adds that Ramon Sanchez stood out in the secondary while Brian Flores and Jake Trowbridge excelled up front on the line.
The Mustangs entered postseason as the No.1 seed from the Northern 2A.
They are 10-0 overall and 6-0 in the Northern 2A.
The Mustangs confront visiting West Wendover last Friday night at PCHS.
Coach Brooks pulled sophomore Cade Liebsack OL/LB from JV to help with the postseason.
Pershing County host Lincoln County on Saturday, at 1 p.m. in the semifinal round of the state championships.
Lincoln County, the No. 2 seed from the Southern 2A, knocked off the reigning 2A state champion, Lake Mead 35-0.
“Lincoln County is always a challenging opponent so we are looking forward to that,” Brooks said.
Pershing County's Tyrn Sam (32) runs the ball against West Wendover during the Mustangs' 59-6 win over West Wendover this past Friday night in Lovelock.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal match-up has Needles Calif., hosting Incline on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Needles defeated Green Valley Christian 36-12 and Incline knocked off Battle Mountain 48-0.
The winner of each semifinal advances to the state championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, at McQueen High School in Reno.
Game time for the state finale has not been announced yet and will be known after the weekend is over.