Some things in life take getting used to – like watching the boys of fall play football in March. But Lovelock fans are adaptable. About 25 cars full of supporters watched from their vehicles on Friday night, leaning on their horns whenever the Mustangs advanced against the visiting Battle Mountain Longhorns.
Even thought the season is just four weeks old, the Battle Mountain High School football team is giving its fans heartburn, with last-minute barn-burners in the last two games. Battle Mountain lost a 7-6 decision to Yerington on March 20, after missing on a 2-point conversion with a handful of minutes to play. Battle Mountain was on the road this past Friday night in Lovelock, to play Pershing County. The Longhorns jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, only to see the Mustangs score with 56 seconds left to play to come from behind and win 23-20.
The Pershing County football team beat Silver Stage 42-6 on the road on Saturday afternoon. So far this season, already half over, the Mustangs remain undefeated at 3-0.
Saturday’s meeting between the Lowry High School football team had a playoff atmosphere to it, with the brown dormant grass and the cold, wet and windy conditions usually fitted for November. Fernley came in as the reigning 3A state champion from 2019, but during that season, the Vaqueros lost to the Buckaroos. The Vaqueros would trail early on Saturday afternoon, but rallied to beat the Buckaroos 50-21. For Lowry (2-1), it was the first loss of the season.
The Pershing County High School volleyball team split road matches this past week. On Tuesday, Mach. 16, the Lady Mustangs beat Coral Academy at the Silver State Volleyball Club in Reno 25-10, 25-19, 25-14. On Saturday, they traveled to Tahoe to play Incline. The Mustangs lost 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 30-28. On Tuesday, March. 23, Pershing County went back on the road against the Silver Stage Nighthawks. Results were not available at press time.
The Pershing County soccer team went 2-1 for the week. On Wednesday, March 17, they beat the visiting Battle Mountain Longhorns 4-2. On Friday, the Lady Mustangs traveled to West Wendover to continue their winning streak 7-0. Finally, they hosted Whittell on Saturday, losing 8-0.
On Tuesday, March 9, the Pershing County Mustangs hosted the Battle Mountain Longhorns. It was Pershing County’s first home game of the season. A limited number of spectators sat at the top of the bleachers, roped off with yellow emergency tape. Each team member had a four admission tickets to distribute as they chose.
The Pershing County Mustangs ran onto Joe Yanni Field looking ready to tangle with anyone in their league. So did the visiting Incline Highlanders. Mostly, both sides just wanted to play football. It was Incline’s first game of the season and Pershing County’s second after walloping CASR at home on March 5.
The Pershing County girl’s soccer team hosted Spring Creek JV on Saurday starting at noon. Spectators watched from their vehicles, enjoying the springlike temperatures.
It looked a lot like old times and better days. On Friday night, under the lights of Joe Yanni Field, fans watched the Pershing County Mustangs slam Coral Academy 41-0. On Saturday afternoon, the JV boys hosted the Spring Creek Spartans and lost 32-18. Over the weekend, spirit squads cheered victory and soothed defeat all over the state. Friday, each team brought a squad to PCHS. The early spring chill numbed exposed fingertips by the end of the night.
Bryson DeChambeau received a text message Sunday morning from Tiger Woods to keep fighting, good advice for a final round that turned out to be the toughest at Bay Hill in 41 years.
The Pershing County Spirit Squad showed adaptability over the weekend. Usually, they perform in front of stands packed with fans. The give-and-take energizes everyone.
The Pershing County volleyball team heads to Yerington on Friday. They’ll play the Yerington Lions at 4 and 5 p.m. Pershing’s varsity girls are Andrea Canchola, Presley Burrows, Cheyeanne Diaz, Aledda Sam, Senicka Happy, Kaylen Halverson and Kaydance Happy. “With only two varsity players returning from last year, it’s important we trust each other on the court and play hard,” said coach Monica Halverson. Sam and Burrows are returners. The others stepped up from JV.
The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West” is set to return to Reno June 17–26, 2021 pending COVID-19 restrictions and tickets are now on sale. “After an incredibly difficult year we are optimistic that we will be able to bring ‘the toughest sport on dirt’ back to the Biggest Little City and are grateful for the support from our rodeo family and community,” said George Combs, general manager of the Reno Rodeo. “While this year’s rodeo may look a little different, we know it will still deliver the exhilarating experience the Reno Rodeo is known for.”
The Nevada High School Rodeo Association started up its spring portion of the schedule on Feb. 20-21 in Pahrump. A pair of Humboldt County Rodeo Club members claimed average wins over the weekend. Emma Garijo was first in the pole bending average with a combined time of 41.996 seconds. She was second in the first go-around at 20.891 and she won the second go-around with a time of 21.105.