Bulldogs claim 3A showdown
Jonathan Gleave had heard the talk that this was to be a rebuilding year for the Virgin Valley football team.
The Bulldogs, after all, lost four starting offensive linemen from 2007 and had only eight lettermen returning.
On Friday, Gleave helped Virgin Valley make a statement.
The senior receiver scored three touchdowns, and the visiting Bulldogs held off a furious Faith Lutheran rally to win a Class 3A Southern League showdown, 33-20.
“I think we’re better than everybody thinks,” Gleave said. “We can go as far as we want to if we push it.”
Gleave carried 10 times for 59 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 39 yards and another score.
After Virgin Valley (5-1, 1-0) bolted to a 20-0 first-quarter lead, Faith Lutheran rallied to narrow the deficit to 27-20 at halftime. But the Crusaders (4-2, 0-1) were held scoreless in the second half.
Virgin Valley sacked Faith Lutheran sophomore quarterback Joe Portaro four times for 32 yards in losses.
“They spread it out, and we’re gonna pressure the quarterback,” Virgin Valley coach Kirk Hafen said.
Portaro threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, but Faith Lutheran was smothered for minus-13 yards on the ground. The Crusaders had no running play go for more than 9 yards.
Meanwhile, Virgin Valley’s diverse wing-T offense helped Colton Teerlink (93 yards) lead a rushing attack that rolled up 190 yards on 35 attempts.
And Virgin Valley quarterback Terran Leavitt kept Faith Lutheran off-balance with 112 yards passing and two TDs through the air. The senior hit Gleave for a 27-yard scoring strike in the first quarter and Anthony Morris with a 37-yard touchdown in the second.
Don Pearson led Faith Lutheran with nine receptions for 134 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs, who are aiming for their first 3A state title since 2006, now sit atop the Southern League with Moapa Valley (3-2, 1-0).
“That’s a good squad right there,” Hafen said of Faith Lutheran. “In our league, every game’s gonna be close.”