Cougars hand Tigers loss on Senior Night

Douglas High football knew coming into Friday night, it was playing its last game of the season.

The Tigers, who were also celebrating Senior Night, contended with Spanish Springs in a 28-17 loss.

Trailing 21-3 at the half, Douglas found some mojo in the second half.

On the final drive of the third quarter, Douglas went three-and-out and punted from its own 16.

However, the punt hit a Cougar player, allowing Michael White to fall on it and give possession back to Douglas.

The Tigers capitalized on the second opportunity as Owen Evans hit Trace Estes for a 17-yard touchdown on fourth down.

After a blocked extra point, the Tigers trailed 21-9 at the end of the third quarter.

Spanish Springs was able to drive down the field and retaliate with a touchdown of its own, but Douglas didn’t roll over.

On the Tigers ensuing drive, Douglas marched 80 yards on seven plays to find the end zone yet again.

On third-and-7, the Tigers drew up a trick play that caught the Cougars off guard.

Evans hit Estes again for what looked like a short gain before the Tiger wideout pitched the ball back to Connor Jackson, who ran around the edge and scored.

Aden Flory found Kyle Koontz in the end zone to complete the 2-point conversion getting the Tigers within two scores, 28-17.

Though the Cougars were able to run the clock out on the Tigers’ season, Douglas head coach Kyle Mays emphasized how proud he was of his team’s fight to cap the year.

“I’m really proud of my kids and my senior class leading all the way through to the end,,” said Mays. “Proud of them for doing their best to end it on the best note we possibly could.”

Tigers score first

Douglas, for the second week in a row, got off to a fairly quick start.

The Tigers took advantage of their first series with the ball and put points on the board behind a field goal off the foot of Kaleb Valdez.

After that, Spanish Springs scored 21 unanswered points to close out the opening half.

Up 14-3, Spanish Springs took advantage of a short field to score a touchdown to move in front by 18.

Marco Casci forced and recovered a fumble on the Tigers next offensive series, giving the ball back to the Cougars.

However, Cole Smalley snagged a pass out of the air for his second interception of the season, stopping the drive in its tracks.

Valdez also had a fumble recovery for the Tigers Friday night.

Douglas will conclude the season with a 1-8 record and an 0-6 mark in Class 5A North play.

(Douglas High linebacker Cole Smalley combined for a tackle with a teammate against Spanish Springs Friday night. / Ron Harpin)

Sending off the seniors

With the conclusion of the season, the Tigers will lose 12 players to graduation in the spring.

“Four of them have played all four years,” said Mays. “We had four or five seniors where this was there first year playing football. They worked their tails off and contributed to the best of their ability.

“You go through even one season, you make so many memories with the kids and it’s stuff that will last forever.”

Though the Tigers will be without those 12 seniors next season there is certainly some talent returning to next year’s roster.

Douglas’ junior class contains 20-plus players, meaning next year will be a large senior class for the Tigers.