Pirates’ Hubert unmissable, once you find him

OVERTON — There are two bridges here a visitor can cross to get to Moapa Valley High.

The Yamashita Bridge eventually leads to the backside of the school, near the football and soccer fields. But here's a tip: That's the longer route.

The more convenient way to find R.J. Hubert is to go over the Gubler Bridge and then make a right on St. Joseph Street.

"What I've experienced over the years with us being a smaller school outside of Vegas, it is more difficult to get recruiters to come out here to take a look," said Moapa Valley football coach Brent Lewis, who is in his 14th season.

"But he's a diamond in the rough. He's right up there with the best of the kids I've ever coached and seen and played against. I'd put him right up there against anybody."

Hubert, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, has emerged as the rare college recruit for the defending Division I-A state champion Pirates.

Hubert leads Southern Nevada with 13 touchdowns through four games and has college coaches figuring out the best way to get to the school located approximately 60 miles from Las Vegas.

"College football has always been a big dream of mine," Hubert said. "When I was younger, I didn't really know if I'd ever get the chance. As I've gotten older and gone to camps and played varsity football, I realized I do have the chance just because of what I've been able to accomplish."

Hubert was the I-A state Most Valuable Player as a junior and earned first-team all-state honors at wide receiver after finishing with 49 receptions for 964 yards and a team-best 14 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11½-inch, 180-pounder was at his best during Moapa Valley's four playoff games, as he had 20 receptions for 440 yards and seven touchdowns, including the game-winning grab in overtime of the I-A state final.

"I knew once we got into the playoffs it was real serious, win or go home," Hubert said. "I knew that I had to make plays, and I knew my team relied on me, and it worked out for the best.

Hubert briefly moved to Show Low, Ariz., in December but returned before the start of track and field season. He went on to win the I-A state title in the 110-meter hurdles and placed in the top three in three other events.

Hubert scored five touchdowns in the Pirates' season opener against Sierra Vista and had all three of his team's scores in a 34-20 loss to Desert Pines. He accounted for four TDs in last week's 56-13 victory over Sunrise Mountain.

Remarkably, Hubert has scored on a kickoff return in every game this season for Moapa Valley (2-2), despite opposing teams doing their best to kick away from him.

"The way that we set up our returns is real helpful, and a lot of effort goes into it," Hubert said. "I think of it as another opportunity to score and other people may think of it as, 'Oh, we've got to go through this play to make sure we get the ball,' but I really look to take advantage of them."

Hubert has 202 yards rushing and four scores in addition to 11 receptions for 225 yards and four TDs. He's also scored on a 76-yard fumble return.

Hubert has scholarship offers from Army, Northern Arizona, UNR and Weber State. He also is drawing interest from Brigham Young, San Diego State, UNLV and Utah, among others.

Moapa Valley hosts Legacy (1-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, giving Hubert an opportunity to impress against a school from the large-school classification.

"It's honestly been kind of a challenge to get him the ball because so many teams are concentrated on him," Lewis said. "We've got to find ways to get the ball in his hands even more. He's just one of those kids that every time he touches it, he could take it to the house."

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ