Friday’s game will make/break Eagles’ season

The Boulder City football team can advance to the Southern Region playoffs for a third consecutive year with a win at home Friday in its season finale against Virgin Valley.

Win, and the Eagles are looking ahead to the Sunset League’s top seed and a road playoff game Oct. 30.

Lose, and it is not so simple; a loss would create a three-team tiebreaker.

Virgin Valley is an old rival from the Class 3A days before the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association realigned the leagues and playoffs in 2012.

“The entire season comes down to one huge game,” quarterback Trenton Carmell said. “It is a must-win. It is already a playoff game. If we don’t win, our season could be over. We can’t hope for help and a tiebreaker; we have to do it.

“For the seniors it is our last regular-season game. And, more importantly, it’s our last home game in front of our fans.”

A win and the Eagles finish 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the Sunrise League. They will finish tied for fourth place with Del Sol, but they will advance to the playoffs over Del Sol by virtue of a 48-20 head-to-head road victory Sept. 19. Del Sol (4-4 and 2-4) has finished its league schedule and ends the season Friday playing independent Rancho.

A Virgin Valley win moves the Bulldogs into a three-way tie with Boulder City and Del Sol. Then, several tiebreaker formulas could come into play.

“Our whole season is one game now, starting with Virgin Valley,” linebacker Jacob Jurgschat said. “I have no doubt we are coming out prepared and ready to play.

“We have to beat Virgin and then play them one at a time. We have played a few games real well against some tough opponents. If we get to the playoffs, it is a whole new season.”

Boulder City is looking good because of its 28-point win against Del Sol. Del Sol, in turn, defeated Virgin Valley 28-13 on Sept. 13, a 15-point margin. So, Virgin Valley must defeat Boulder City to cause a tiebreaker.

Only the league’s top four teams advance to the playoffs. Moapa Valley, Chaparral and Desert Pines have secured the top three spots.

A week ago, Boulder City traveled to Overton and played No. 1 Moapa Valley, but lost 27-0.

The Pirates’ Nate Cox completed 13 of 20 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns and Cole Mulcock finished with seven catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Logan Branscum led the Eagles, rushing 12 times for 35 yards.

Virgin Valley lost 41-7 to Chaparral last Friday, dropping the Bulldogs to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the league.

“We have our chance against Virgin Valley to make it three years in a row to the playoffs,” linebacker Brooks Roe said. “It is huge and it is a must win. We are pumped to play.”

Friday’s game is senior night for the football players and cheerleaders. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children.