Galena tops Douglas; Senators, Tigers will face off for playoff spot

Tigers defensive back Kane Hoyopatubbi (13) runs an interception back to put Douglas in scoring position Thursday night in Minden.

Tigers defensive back Kane Hoyopatubbi (13) runs an interception back to put Douglas in scoring position Thursday night in Minden.

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MINDEN — Tommy Corcoran rushed for 236 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Galena Grizzlies to a 48-28 Sierra League football victory against Douglas on Thursday night. Galena (2-1, 5-3) surged to a 20-0 first-quarter lead and then held off a comeback bid by Douglas (0-3 league, 2-7 overall) to preserve a playoff-clinching win.

Douglas quarterback Hunter Hickey had a big game with 147 yards rushing, highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown run with 5:04 left in the fourth quarter that made it a 41-28 game.

Hickey also completed 8 of 15 passes for 83 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown strike to Kane Hoyopatubbi to put the Tigers on the scoreboard early in the second quarter.

The Tigers came back from a 20-0 deficit with three touchdowns in the second quarter. Hoyopatubbi’s interception set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Dakota Lowden and Jayden Foster scored on a 9-yard sweep with 1:25 left before halftime. Lowden’s run for the two-point conversion as the Tigers cut their deficit to 27-21 at halftime.

Lowden rushed for 78 yards on the night.

Corcoran, a 6-foot-1, 183-pound senior, scored on runs of 13, 2 and 7 yards in the second half to help the Grizzlies put the game away.

As a team, Galena rushed for 328 yards on 46 carries.Mike Dennis and quarterback Mateo Rasmussen scored on Galena’s opening two possessions and then defensive end Hayden Werbeckes blocked a punt and recovered the loose ball for another touchdown in the first quarter.

Werbeckes was in on three sacks and caught a 42-yard pass from his tight end position to start the second half, a play that led to Corcoran’s 13-yard touchdown run.

Andrew Williams and Christopher Merritt recovered fumbles for the Tigers, who forced three turnovers in the game.