DON McDERMOTT MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

Since you have to rush off to Pahrump Valley High School to watch some volleyball, then hustle off to Las Vegas to catch the Pahrump Valley football opener at Chaparral, let's keep this piece brief.

We talked about some of the new looks the 2006 football Trojans will present. Let's talk about some new precedents they can establish this fall.

First, Pahrump Valley has not won an opening game since the 1995 campaign, when the Trojans stopped Trona, Calif., 22-8.

Second, the Trojans have not played a Class 4-A team in a season opener since 1998, when they lost 34-22 to Las Vegas Mojave.

Third, in 33 previous prep football campaigns, the Trojans have totaled just 97 wins, while losing 189. Since 1993, the Trojans are 42-76, including 20-26 under Gary Findlay and 17-29 with Brian Hug's predessor, Steve Nygaard, in command.

Fourth, Pahrump Valley has not had back-to-back .500 or better seasons since Findlay's 1993, 1994, and 1995 squads finished 7-3,5-4, 5-4, respectively.

We tell you all this to let you know that Hug and his staff have a formidable task to change not only the level of success on the field, but to win the hearts and minds of the young men who wear the maroon-and-gold.

The 2004 team, which featured the sterling running of Kyle Floyd and Kekoa Malendres (both 1,000-yard rushers) finished 5-5 after a 3-1 start. The 2005 team won the Southern Nevada Class 3-A League championship, beating Mesquite Virgin Valley 39-33 in overtime; then undefeated Las Vegas Faith Lutheran 32-21, and perennial nemesis Boulder City 32-16, after trailing 16-0 at halftime.

The Trojans finished 3-6, including a 28-14 setback inflicted by Overton Moapa Valley, a team Pahrump Valley has not beaten since 1993. Virgin Valley changed its tactics in a post-season playoff game, winning 26-7 by running around, over and through a confused Trojan defense.

Hug, assistants Wiley Meade, Steve Critchlow, Preston Dockter, Andy Schneider and Bob Bruce, along with Joey Arone, need the understanding that success is not always achieved overnight, nor is it an easy task.

Adopt the attitude Hug has brought to the Pahrump Valley. Approach each game as if it were the last; concentrate on being successful and don't be concerned with what is going to happen down the road.

This is a solid group of coaches and they have the players' best interests at heart. Cheer for them ... carry them along with your support.