It was a tough day at Lake Tahoe for both the Fernley and Yerington high school football teams on Saturday.
The two Lyon County schools lost by near identical scores to Northern 3A conference front-runners - Yerington by 40-13 score at North Tahoe and Fernley by a 42-12 score at Tahoe-Truckee.
By winning, North Tahoe improved its conference record to 4-0 (5-0 overall) and remained even with Lowry in the race for first-place. Truckee is now 3-1 (3-2).
"We're calling it Octoberfest. Lowry, Truckee and North Tahoe all right in a row. They're all real tough," Yerington coach Cody Neville said.
"There's going to be some great games coming up at the end of the season," Fernley coach Dave Hart echoed.
In Tahoe City, Bryan Collins caught a 79-yard touchdown pass and broke off runs of 84 and 64 yards to lead the North Tahoe Lakers past Yerington (0-5, 1-5).
"They're the toughest team we've been up against," Neville said. "They are a well-rounded team. They have so much size, strength and speed; they just have the complete package."
Senior fullback Tom Sceirine rushed for 80 yards, scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter and stood out in his role as a lead blocker for Yerington. Zach Roots scored on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Phil Wilson in the first quarter to cut North Tahoe's lead to 21-7. The first Yerington touchdown was set up by Josh Allen's kick return to the North Tahoe 5.
Fernley (2-3, 3-3) fell behind 14-0, but stuck around and battled the Truckee Wolverines.
"I was proud of my kids. They never quit fighting," Hart said. "This was a do-or-die game as far as our playoff chances; they gave a great effort and I can't find fault with that. Truckee just has a fine football team."
Fernley junior quarterback Matt Lambeth passed for 170 yards plus he threw touchdown passes to Adam Schwab and Tyrell Reeder.
Fernley hosts Spring Creek in another tough 3A contest this coming Friday. North Tahoe visits Truckee on Saturday. Spring Creek (2-2) defeated Dayton 65-7 on Friday night.
