The College Football Playoff selection committee’s assessment of Oklahoma ended up looking spot on. The number of unbeaten teams in major college football dropped to three after the Sooners were manhandled by No. 18 Baylor, one of two victories Saturday for remaining Big 12 teams over Southeastern Conference-bound flagship schools. No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Cincinnati and No. 15 UTSA have not lost yet.
The Pershing County boys basketball team is laser-focused on getting to the playoffs this season. Last Saturday 19 players showed up for tryouts, with some out of town for the long weekend. “It was a good showing and everyone worked hard for two hours. We have a goal to make playoffs for the first time in awhile,” said coach Jesse Canchola, a PCHS grad (Class of 2002).
For the third time in his career, Nevada junior Brandon Talton has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced recently. Talton is one of 20 semifinalists, and one of five from the Mountain West, who was included on the list for the 2021 award, which is given annually to the nation’s top place-kicker.
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong was named to The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10 as announced by the organization. Strong is the only quarterback from the Mountain West Conference in the Top 10. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and presenting partner, A. O. Smith, announce the Top 10 candidates for this year’s Golden Arm Award.
Cameron Friel threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns, Charles Williams became UNLV’s all-time leading rusher, and the Rebels beat New Mexico 31-17 on Saturday night for coach Marcus Arroyo’s first victory with the program.
Brandon Talton kicked a 45-yard field goal with :03 seconds left in the game and Nevada used two defensive touchdowns to fend off San Jose State 27-24 in Mountain West Conference play on Saturday. Nevada (7-2, 4-1) got on the scoreboard first when Jordan Lee caused a Tyler Nevens fumble that was picked up by Daiyan Henley and returned 55 yards for a touchdown.
The Pershing County High School football season ended with a 49-6 loss against Yerington on Friday in the first round of the NIAA 2A State Championships in Yerington.
University of Nevada athletics has announced a partnership with Fobi’s CheckVax to assist with proof of vaccination at men’s and women’s basketball games during the 2021-22 season, which began with Tuesday’s men’s home opener against Eastern Washington, and Wednesday’s women’s home opener against Saint Mary’s.
Jesse Canchola coaches the eighth-grade basketball team, now 3-0 in their league. Rich Campbell coaches the seventh-grade boys (2-1).
They seemed to be everywhere. The Lovelock Pop Warner youth football team made a strong showing in Winnemucca on Saturday, Nov. 6. Flag Football, the Rookies and the Seniors came to Highland Park ready to compete.
Pershing County’s last home soccer game of the year could have gone better. The Mustangs went in with 11 players instead of their usual 19 and lost 7-0 to Sage Ridge. “Even though we went in with a smaller squad, the ladies played a great game,” said coach Matt Fuller, now completing his 13th year at the helm. His wife Cassidie shared coaching duties this fall.
Last Thursday, the PCHS volleyball team played the final game of their regular season. They traveled to Reno and beat the Coral Academy Falcons in three sets, 25-14, 25-16, 25-14. With the win, Pershing County improves to 12-8-1, overall, and 10-3 in the 2A Northern. “We played tough to a consistent and improved Falcon team. Coral Academy has improved so much that I’m rooting for them to be a very competitive team in the next couple of years,” said coach Monica Halverson.
The game tested the Mustangs’ stamina. But Pershing football walked off with a 47-32 win against Coral Academy last Thursday at Wooster High School in Reno. “They became worn down in the second half being short-handed, but were able to come away with the victory,” said Pershing’s head coach, Mike Brooks, now completing his fourth year at the helm. “The offense scored on every drive, except when we ran the clock out, and our defense got some key stops early.”
The Pershing County Mustangs volleyball team had an eventful week on the court. Friday, they pummeled Battle Mountain in three sets, 25-4, 25-15, 25-13. On Saturday, they beat West Wendover 25-14, 25-16, 25-13. With the wins, the Mustangs (9-3) stand third in the 2A league, behind Incline (12-0) and Yerington (10-3). The Mustangs lost to Incline twice and Yerington once.
The Nevada High School Rodeo Association was back in action in Elko on Oct. 8-10. And once again local clubs shined at the competition. Emma Garijo turned a strong performance for the Humboldt County Rodeo Club, winning the barrel racing average with a combined time of 31.646 seconds. She won the first performance at 15.873 and was third in the second performance in a time of 15.773. Garijo also earned all-around cowgirl honors. In addition, Garijo led the way in pole bending with an average time of 42.345.