On a sunny, breezy day in Overton, the Moapa Valley High School Pirates returned to their winning ways after losing their season finale, downing Las Vegas Faith Lutheran 39-20 in the Southern Nevada Class 3-A football playoffs Saturday.

The Pirates will play at Spring Creek Saturday in the state semifinals, with the kickoff at 1 p.m. Spring Creek edged Sparks 20-17 in a Northern playoff game.

The Pirates, who fell 34-14 to defending state champion Mesquite Virgin Valley in the regular-season finale Oct. 25, didn't start two-year starter Max Jenkins in the first quarter. He was temporarily replaced by freshman Kelan Weiss.

"At first my nerves got to me but my teammates assured me they had confidence in my abilities," said Weiss, who completed 3 of 3 passes for 44 yards.

The Pirates' scored on their second drive of the game after Weiss converted a fourth down at the Crusader 14-yard line, hitting Shiloh Sandoval on a slant pass.

Steve Jensen's touchdown capped the drive and he added another touchdown run in the quarter as Moapa took a 14-0 lead.

Jensen then set-up the Pirates third score, recovering a Faith Lutheran fumble deep in Crusaders' territory. Moapa scored on a touchdown pass from Jenkins to Shaun Hilton to take a 21-0 second quarter lead.

Faith got on the board just before halftime when Max Done connected with Diontea Wright for a touchdown that came after an officials' conference after Wright and Sandoval wrestled for the ball on the catch.

The Crusaders seized momentum in the second half, scoring on their first play from scrimmage, but Moapa sacked Done once and forced two incomplete passes on the following drive.

Brad Weiss helped get the Pirates' ground going before Jenkins' touchdown pass to Joe Rebman stretched Moapa's lead to 27-13 in the third.

Weiss added a touchdown run on Moapa's next possession and then Done connected with Diontea Wright again to cut the Pirates' lead to 33-19.

Rebman rushed for another Moapa touchdown to put the game out of reach, propelling Moapa in the semifinals where they'll travel to face Spring Creek.

Moapa defeated Spring Creek 29-0 earlier this season in Spring Creek.

"We just wanted to win this game and move on," said Moapa coach Brent Lewis. "This win gives us confidence. Faith overloaded Brad (Weiss) and this gave us a chance to let Steve (Jensen) do the work and he had some key plays today. Our freshman quarterback Kelan Weiss had some outstanding composure and showed he will be a future MVHS quarterback."

Jenkins finished 10 for 17 for 109 yards and three touchdowns while Brad Weiss finished with 26 carries for 105 yards and one touchdown. Jensen finished with 12 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Pirates had 398 yards of total offense.

Faith Lutheran finished with 273 yards of total offense but only 55 yards rushing. Done completed 20 passes out of 38 attempts for 218 yards and three touchdowns.