Tailgating, face-painted fans returned in full force at stadiums around the country as the NFL opened its doors to capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. Some wore masks, some didn’t. Some are vaccinated, some aren’t. Restrictions varied in different cities with the Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints the only teams requiring fans to provide proof of vaccination to enter.
Even though the National High School Finals Rodeo ended at the end of July, a new season for the Nevada High School Rodeo Association got underway in Panaca in Lincoln County in the final weekend of August. Billy DeLong and Cooper Hill led the Humboldt County Rodeo Club with a third and fourth-place finish in boys cutting. DeLong was second in the first performance and third in the second to score 137 points. Hill scored 61 points in both performances to finish with 122 points. Hill added a fifth-place finish in the rifle shoot.
After a nearly a month of just practicing, the Lowry High School girls soccer team hit the field for the first time this season, when it hosted Wooster this past Saturday afternoon.
No Friday night is complete without the PCHS spirit squad, coached by Cece Thornhill. “This year I have a few new girls who have never cheered with me before,” she said. “It’s neat seeing Brooklyn (Mitchell), Brianna (Wilcox) and Kyria (Angel) become part of the team.”
Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to high school sports, especially these days. Last Friday the Mustangs traveled to Fernley for their first full match of the 2021-22 season. Unfortunately, they were minus Kaylen Halverson due to an illness.
The Mustangs fought back from a deficit against the visiting Dayton Dust Devils on Friday night in Lovelock. The half ended with the Mustangs down (12-7). Dayton appeared to pick up steam as the sun sank behind the mountains. Dayton’s roster listed 21 players. Pershing County suited up 14 players.
Drivers were back at Winnemucca Regional Raceway this past weekend for Hot August Nights and two days of action. Over 60 cars raced over the weekend. The season is quickly coming to an end, with races taking place on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18.
The Pershing County Mustangs never pass up an opportunity to improve. That’s why they headed to Elko County this past Thursday. “We were surprised with an offer for our varsity to play Spring Creek, as we did not have a game scheduled for the week, but with the smoke and Covid we knew there was a chance somebody’s schedule would open up,” said PCHS head coach Mike Brooks. “It worked out well because our JV was already there.”
It was a big weekend for Northern Nevada’s high school soccer world. Pershing County High School hosted a tournament from Thursday through Saturday. The Mustangs competed against the Fernley Vaqueros, North Tahoe Lakers, Spring Creek Spartans and Lowry Buckaroos. Other teams included White Pine, West Wendover and Battle Mountain. Lowry and Tahoe sent both boys and girls teams. Wendover sent a boys team.
Battle Mountain saw some fierce competition this past weekend. They hosted a preseason volleyball tournament. Pershing County ’s entire volleyball program competed, both varsity and JV. Varsity played at the high school while JV headed to the junior high.
No one ever questioned that Patrick Cantlay had the chops to be among golf’s elite. What he might have lacked in number of PGA Tour victories, he made for it with the way he won or the field he beat. His victory Sunday in the BMW Championship — the fifth of his career and his PGA Tour-leading third of the season — was a little of each. On a Caves Valley course that suited the biggest hitters, facing the biggest masher of them all in Bryson DeChambeau, he delivered a moment that will be remembered for the ice in his veins and nerves of steel.
The Battle Mountain High School girls soccer team opened its season this past weekend in Lovelock at the Pershing County Invitational. The Lady Longhorns took on the Lowry JV, Spring Creek JV and North Tahoe. Battle Mountain is home on Saturday to play White Pine at 2 p.m.
“It was an awesome weekend for volleyball,” said PCHS coach Monica Halverson. The volleyball team opened its preseason in Yerington last Friday and Saturday. This weekend, they go to Battle Mountain for their second tournament. In Yerington, the girls played three matches each day. Friday, they competed against Sierra Lutheran, Galena and Yerington Frosh. Saturday they faced Damonte Ranch, Mammoth Lakes and Churchill County.
It’s a big weekend for northern Nevada’s high school soccer world. The PCHS players are hosting a multi-team tournament Thursday through Saturday.
Friday night football wouldn’t be the same without the Pershing County spirit squad. They add a spark of excitement to the atmosphere. Later in the year, they’ll be back for basketball.