Tigers runningback Sam Melhus carries the ball for a gain against McQueen Friday night at Keith Roman Field.
MINDEN — Quarterback Bryce James ran 69 yards for a touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage Friday night to provide early momentum for the Douglas High football team.
In the end, however, McQueen rallied to score 20 unanswered points in the second half on its way to a 33-18 season-opening victory that spoiled the Tigers’ Hall of Fame Game at Keith Roman Field.
McQueen got some big plays from its own quarterback, Jeremiah Lesniak, who ran 56 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the second half to give the Lancers a 19-18 lead. Lesniak also threw a 34-yrad touchdown pass to Tavian Cheaton-Dayton on a fourth down play early in the fourth quarter. Lesniak later shook loose on a 49-yard touchdown run to complete the scoring.
James scored two first-quarter touchdown to give the Tigers 7-0 and 15-7 leads. The senior darted up the middle on the game’s opening play to bring the home crowd to its feet early. James threw a 33-yard pass to tight end Taran Grove then the quarterback scored on a 6-yard run with 2:51 left in the first quarter.
Adrian Gonzalez kicked a 35-yard field goal with 6.6 seconds left before halftime as the Tigers took an 18-13 lead to the locker room at halftime.
Another big play helped the Lancers stay within striking distance in the second quarter on Brandon Aiyuk’s 49-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Cody Ball provided a defensive spark for Douglas in the early moments of the second quarter when he intercepted a pass at the 5 to stop a McQueen drive.
