Randal Grimes shines at quarterback as Jaguars rout Pahrump

Randal Grimes was recruited to play wide receiver at the University of Southern California.

But after his performance at quarterback for Desert Pines on Friday night, USC might consider giving the 6-foot-4-inch senior a look under center.

Grimes, who was an all-state receiver last season, completed 5 of 6 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score Friday to lead the Jaguars to a 56-6 win over visiting Pahrump Valley.

Grimes was forced to move to the quarterback position after Marckell Grayson, who has committed to UNLV, went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in week one.

“Randal looked good tonight,” Desert Pines coach Tico Rodriguez said. “We did some things that helped him be more successful in this game. He’s been a leader. He’s taken the challenge. You know he’s an all-state receiver, and he said, ‘Coach whatever it takes to win, I’ll go to quarterback.’ So that just attests to his character and what these guys mean to him.”

The Jaguars (4-1, 1-0 in Sunset League) came into Friday night’s game looking to get off to a good start after a 41-14 loss at Liberty last week.

Senior running back Isaiah Morris, who rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the first half, provided the spark. The shifty back carried the ball twice on the 50-yard scoring drive, which he capped with a 20-yard touchdown run to put the Jaguars up 7-0 in the first 48 seconds of the game.

Pahrump Valley quarterback Parker Hart fumbled the snap on its first play from scrimmage for Pahrump Valley. Desert Pines’ Gabriel Lopez recovered the ball at the Trojans 11-yard line, and teammate Grimes scored on a 5-yard run four plays later to push the lead to 13-0.

“We were really frustrated this week,” Rodriguez said. “We’re not used to losing. The kids were embarrassed by the way we played and they just wanted to have an opportunity to come out and redeem themselves.

“It humbled us and refocused us on what our goal is. You know sometimes a good butt-whoopin’ gets you lined up and gives you focus and clarity for the season.”

Tony Fields blocked a Trojans punt on their next possession, and Monquel Glasow scooped up the ball and rumbled 28 yards to push Desert Pines’ lead to 19-0 and the rout was on.

“It was very important to get off to a quick start,” Grimes said. “After the loss last week to Liberty, we had a very down team, but we picked it up during practice this week. We just got right out there and got a (win) today.”

Grimes threw touchdown passes of 30 and 29 yards to Tony Fields and Eddie Heckard in the second quarter to give the Jaguars a 42-0 halftime lead.

“I’m just trying to help us pick up the energy at all games, all practices, and come out strong every game,” Grimes said. “I need to improve on all the little things, really. Most of all, consistency at practice, by running a lot of reps of everything, stuff like that.”

The Trojans (3-2, 0-1) finally got on the scoreboard, when Dylan Coffman connected with Nico Velazquez on a 63-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.