After being shut out for six consecutive quarters, the Douglas offense found its way into the end zone.
Not that it mattered a ton Friday night, as the Tiger defense was nothing short of stifling against the once vaunted Spanish Springs running game.
Douglas held the Cougars to just seven total yards on the ground, allowing 17 yards to Austin Smock but making up the difference with 17 yards worth of sacks, while taking a 19-7 victory against the Cougars in Sparks Friday night.
The Tigers also held Spanish Springs to just 89 yards through the air, 49 of which came on the final drive of the game in which none of the Douglas starters were on the field.
Douglas also had four sacks and three interceptions in the game and even got a 60-yard punt off the foot of Jeff Nady that rolled dead at the Spanish Springs' 2-yard line.
"We did some real good things on defense tonight, no question about it," Douglas coach Mike Rippee said. "That's the key to being a good team is having a good defense.
"If we keep playing hard like that, we'll be in it."
The game was a marked improvement for the whole team after Douglas had sputtered in its season opener against Reed last week. The team executed in nearly every facet of the game in the second half, outgaining the Cougars on the ground 77 to minus-8 on the ground and 83 to 47 through the air.
"That is Douglas football," Rippee said. "We work hard. The kids believe in being a second half team."
Quarterback David Laird passed for 134 yards and a 10-yard touchdown to Kevin Emm to open the second half. He completed 10 of 18 passes, including four of his first five in the game.
"It was real nice for him to come out like that," Rippee said. "He is a hard worker and a great kid. He executed and he stayed within himself and he made some good plays."
Reese Kizer ran for 82 yards on 27 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of nine and five yards to seal the win.
Tyler Tinstman added 52 yards on the ground and had several blistering kick returns that set the Tigers up in good field position.
Kyle Heidt led the Tiger receivers with 37 yards on four catches and Brandon Lawrence had two catches for 35 yards.
Sean Peralta had two interceptions, including an impressive diving catch at the close of the third quarter, and Anthony Alvitre and Nate Whalin each had two sacks in the win.
The teams had battled to a scoreless tie through the first half, although Douglas held the distinct advantage in the numbers battle.
For the game, Douglas had 16 first downs compared to the Cougars' five.
Perhaps the most glaring blemish on the Tigers' victory was the 11 flags thrown against Douglas for 100 yards and two fumbles lost early in the game.
Douglas improved to 1-1 overall.
on the year and will take on No. 1 McQueen Saturday at Manogue at noon.
-- Joey Crandall can be reached at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.
