FALLON-Both Douglas football coach Mike Ripee and Fallon's Ray Holladay knew their teams had to make a good start Friday night to open the Sierra League season at the Ed Arciniega Athletic Complex.
Although Douglas (3-1 overall, 1-0 in league) edged the Greenwave, 14-6, in a low scoring game, Rippee said he wasn't surprised with the overall play form both teams.
"They came out ready to play," Rippee said of the Greenwave, which lost its last game two weeks ago, 41-0 to Reno. "We're darn lucky to come out with a win."
Rippee said Fallon (1-3, 0-1) was happy to make the move from the High Desert to Sierra League this fall because of McQueen's continual dominance.
Yet, when Fallon showed any offensive life against Douglas, Rippee relied on his defense.
"We felt we need to the defense to step up and they did," Rippee said, adding this was a tough game to win.
Likewise, except for two first-half touchdowns, Holladay said Fallon played one of its most consistent games in the four years he has coached the Greenwave. Fallon kept the Tigers well below the the visitor's 33-point per game average.
"We ran a complete man coverage all night long," he said. "I felt we matched up with them."
Hard popping characterized the play of both teams, especially for the first two series. The Tigers first scored with 6:06 left in the first quarter when running back Johnny Pollack scored on a 7-yard-run to cap a five-play series. Nickolai Vasquez kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Douglas lead.
Pollack breathed some life into the drive with a 32-yard run that brought the ball to the Fallon 32.
On the ensuing kickoff, Trent de Braga scooped the ball in the end zone and advanced to the 18 yard line.
On the first play from the line of scrimmage, Fallon quarterback Dexter Daum hooked up with the senior receiver for an 82-yard pass play to give the Greenwave its first touchdown in five quarters. De Braga snared the ball on the right side and outraced the Tigers' secondary, scoring with 5:46 remaining in the quarter.
Fallon's kick on the PAT sailed wide left.
The game evolved into more of a defensive struggle with neither team able to sustain any momentum until the final 3:49 of the half.
Douglas took over on its own 40-yard line after a Fallon punt. A 20-yard pass from Rudnick to Nico Barker up the middle placed the ball on the Greenwave 39. Three plays later, Rudnick tossed a short pass to Zach McFadden who took the ball on the right side and avoided three Fallon defenders for a 34-yard touchdown. The extra point gave Douglas a 14-6 lead with 1:11 left in the first half.
Fallon's defense stopped Douglas on several third-quarter drives. Jake Johnston recovered a Douglas fumble and later picked off a pass.
Anthony Tisdale emerged as a defensive threat by picking off a pass in the second half and pressuring Rudnick with his passing.
"This was my best game of the season," Tisdale said. "We had some adjustments on defense. I made my reads, and they worked out in my favor."
Douglas squandered a scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter after a fumble out of bounds in the end zone.
Rippee said he felt Fallon out played the Tigers on the line.
"They outplayed our offense," Rippee said.
Fallon allowed Douglas 254 yards total offense, while Rudnick completed 9-of-23 passes for 150 yards. Fallon gained 281 yards - 139 yards on the ground and 142 yards passing. Daum was 8-of-24 with one interception.
Holladay said the defense shut down the Tigers' running game to 104 yards.
"Our defensive line stopped a pretty good run game with five guys, sometimes four guys (on the line)," Holladay said.
The Fallon coach said the defense held the second best team in the Northern 4A to 14 points
"We knew they are the top team in the league," said de Braga, who finished the game with 34 yards rushing on five carries and 94 yards receiving on three catches. . "As Fallon, we were looking for an opportunity to gain something. Tonight, people got to see Fallon's potential."
Likewise, Rippee said his team's defense played much better in the second half to keep the Wave out of the end zone.
