Two things bothered Douglas High School football coach Mike Rippee most about last Friday's 14-0 loss to the Elko Indians in Minden.
And both sources of information were found in the rushing statistics, where Elko pounded out a 257-16 advantage.
"You have to be able to run the ball and you have to be able to stop the run," Rippee said Monday evening. "I didn't think we did either well."
Douglas (1-1) will need to improve in both categories tonight when the Tigers visit Galena (0-2) for a 7 p.m. contest.
The Galena Grizzlies had two touchdowns called back in a 21-0 loss to Carson this past Friday. In the first week of the season, the Hug Hawks scored in the final minute to beat Galena, 21-18, and overcome a 300-yard rushing performance by the Grizzlies' Damian Rivadeneyra. Last week, Rivadeneyra was held to 37 yards (9 in the first half) by Carson.
"We need to refocus," Rippee said. "We're in a situation where anybody we play can beat us and we can beat anybody we play.
"We need to get better. We need to know our assignments and we need to go full tilt."
The Tigers punched the ball inside Elko's 35-yard line five times but were unable to to put any points on the scoreboard. Two quarterback sacks, two interceptions and a holding penalty ended the five promising possessions.
Douglas moved the ball easily between the 20-yard lines, as quarterback Jared Kenison completed 18 of 36 passes for 270 yards. Gabe Hatchett caught 10 passes for 172 yards and Jordan Ovard added 80 yards on six receptions.
Elko coach Bob Milligan eppeared relieved after the game.
"We barely got out of here with a win," Milligan said. "Douglas was well prepared and their kids played well. They played a whole lot better than they did last week (in a 15-0 win at Fallon).
"They had a real good passing attack. That No. 2 (Hatchett), he's a fine receiver. And the quarterback (Kenison) did a nice job getting him the ball. We were just an eyelash away a couple of times from some big plays they didn't quite connect on."
Galena gave up 345 yards total offense against Carson, but only allowed 21 points last Friday. The Grizzlies' defense forced three fumbles and had five quarterback sacks.
