Grayson leads Jaguars past Greenwave

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Desert Pines’ quarterback Marckell Grayson moves out of the pocket to avoid a tackle from ... — Desert Pines’ quarterback Marckell Grayson moves out of the pocket to avoid a tackle from Churchill County’s Justin Hatfield (60). Grayson passed for one TD and ran for another as the Jaguars beat the Greenwave 14-0 in the Division I-A state semifinals. (Steven Ranson/Lahontan Valley News)

Desert Pines’ Andre Watts (9) relies on a block from Dillard Davis against Churchill in the first half on Saturday. (Steven Ranson/Lahontan Valley News)

Trae Workman (9) of Churchill County pulls on Dillard Davis’ belt to drag him down deep in Churchill County territory. Others involved in the play are the Greenwave’s Riley Williams (33) and Desert Pines’ Samuel Poutasi (73) and Natron Auelua-Naki (75). (Steven Ranson/Lahontan Valley News)

Churchill County’s T.J. Mauga (99) waits for Desert Pines’ running back Trevor Nafoa (23) and his blocker, Dillard Davis (5) on Saturday. (Steven Ranson/Lahontan Valley News)

Marckell Grayson passed for 219 yards and one touchdown and ran for another as Desert Pines beat Churchill County 14-0 in a Division I-A state semifinal in Fallon.

The Jaguars (11-1) play Moapa Valley (12-0) at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bishop Gorman in the championship game.

Desert Pines came up with two huge defensive stops in the first half. The first came on fourth-and-goal from the Desert Pines 3 when the Jaguars stuffed Churchill County receiver Connor Richardson at the 1.

On the Greenwave’s next possession, Vasaifauna Hansell picked off a Joe Pyle pass and returned it to the 21. Nathan Heck nearly intercepted a Grayson pass on that drive, but couldn’t hang on. Three plays later, Grayson avoided a sack and dumped a pass to running back Isaiah Morris for a 15-yard TD. The Jaguars added the 2-point conversion and led 8-0 at the half.

Grayson, who completed 18 of 28 passes, added a 7-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter to ice the game.

Heck finished with 89 yards on 24 carries to lead the Greenwave (10-2).