Sophomore quarterback Owen Evans winds up to throw a pass against McQueen last Friday. Douglas football is hoping to get its first home game of the season in Friday night against Reno.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Douglas High School football came into Friday’s game against McQueen a bit behind the 8-ball.
Air quality and COVID testing protocols limited the Tigers to one practice in the two weeks between their first two games of the season.
Head coach Kyle Mays also wasn’t on the sideline Friday due to COVID protocols, leaving assistant Rick McGuire as the acting head coach.
McQueen bested Douglas 58-6 behind Ashton Hayes’ 164 rushing yards on 15 carries.
The Lancer senior also added two trips to the end zone.
“You could tell it was a tough game for our kids. It shows the importance of being able to get out there and practice on the field,” said Mays. “Don’t get me wrong, McQueen is a good, good football team.”
Turning the page to Reno
Not only are the Tigers hoping to see more live, on-field practice time this week, they are also hoping to get their first home game of the season.
So far the Tigers have hit the road twice and Douglas is anxious to get its players and new ball coach a chance to show off in front of the home crowd.
On Friday, Douglas will welcome Reno to town, pending air quality.
The Huskies are coming off a 28-14 win against Carson last week in which they led 21-0 in the third quarter.
They’ll be a familiar face on the opposing sideline as last year’s defensive line coach Chauncey Fagan is now on the Husky staff.
His defensive line gave the Senators fits last week in Reno, including multiple sacks and pressures.
“He’s an extremely, extremely good football coach. He coaches up that D-line very well. He’s got a purpose behind it,” said Mays of Reno’s defensive line.
As far as Reno’s offense is concerned, Douglas will have to prepare for two athletic Reno quarterbacks in No. 15 Dominico Granieri and No. 12 Hayden Parga.
Reno running back JT Hawk also punched in two rushing touchdowns last week against the Senators.
“If a quarterback can throw and scramble to run, it puts a ton of pressure on the defense,” said Mays. “The backside of our defense has to stay very, very diligent in covering receivers.”
Along with hoping for the first home game of the season, the Tigers appear to be coming into their first game this year potentially near full health.
Christopher Smalley has not played yet this season, but Mays anticipates Smalley being a game day decision Friday.
The senior, a Nevada football commit, is hoping to be cleared by doctors on a hand injury.
“We’re going to see what the doctors say about what he is allowed to do with that hand,” Mays said.
As of Wednesday morning, kickoff was set for 7 p.m. Friday at Douglas High School.
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