The Douglas football team will take its stingy defense up to North Reno tonight to face the upstart North Valleys Panthers in a 7:30 p.m. game.
No. 9 Douglas (3-2, 2-0) is coming off a 13-0 win over Damonte Ranch while No. 6 North Valleys (4-1, 2-0) beat up on winless Wooster 56-7.
North Valleys will be led by running backs Chris Castellanos and Archie Kovich and quarterback Will Bell.
The Panthers rolled up 352 yards against the Colts last week, 246 of which came on the ground.
Douglas has been at its strongest against the run, giving up only 458 yards on the ground in five games. Opponents are averaging 3.2 yards a carry against the Tigers.
Opposing offenses have been more successful with the pass, throwing for an average of 130 yards per game. The Douglas pass defense has been able to come up with the big plays at the right times, intercepting 10 passes in the last four games.
Sean Peralta picked off his third pass of the season last week and safety Cole Hamzik has been stellar in his senior season. Brent Koontz leads the team with four interceptions.
Douglas has created 15 takeaways on the year, all in the last four games.
The Tigers' leading running back, Reese Kizer (85 carries, 361 yards, four touchdowns), has been practicing in full pads with the team this week after missing last week with an injured leg.
If he can't go, Tyler Tinstman, who ran for 137 yards last week against Damonte and had a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown, will be there to fill in.
Tinstman is averaging just over five yards per carry this season and showed remarkable vision of the field with a number of dazzling cutbacks against the Mustangs last week.
North Valleys and Douglas are in a three-way tie for first-place in the Sierra League with Reno. Tonight's game will begin to sort out the playoff picture.
Check www.recordcourier. com throughout the night for updates on the game.
