Douglas High’s Mason Almeida (11) makes a shoe-string tackle against Fernley last Friday night. The Tigers’ two-minute offense at the end of the game setup a game-winning field goal to beat the Vaqueros, 16-13.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Douglas High School football couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic finish in its season-opening 16-13 victory Friday at Fernley, winning on a field goal as time expired.
It’s a big confidence booster for the Tigers, proving they can march down the field in a late-game situation and do enough to put points on the board when necessary.
Elko will present a new challenge for the Tigers, who will travel East to take on another Class 3A foe.
Douglas did not lose a game on the road last season.
HEADED EAST
Douglas defeated Elko, 14-9, last fall, but Elko graduated quite a few seniors.
Of course, the Tigers are in a similar boat with only nine seniors on the roster this fall.
“It’s going to be two teams that are trying to rebuild with some younger kids. They are still going to be fast and physical,” said Douglas coach Kyle Mays.
Elko has yet to play this season, so it’ll be the first look anyone gets at the maroon and white.
“What we’ve seen so far on film is they’ll have a similar offense to what they had last year. We have to be ready for a hard-nose, run downhill offense,” Mays said.
Four of the top six tacklers for Elko graduated from last year’s team, as did Elko’s three leading rushers and two leading receivers.
However, Elko will have Ethan Kraintz (No. 12) back under center directing the offense.
Douglas’ Braden Lenz (No. 80) caught some attention from his head coach after leading the Tigers in tackles Friday.
“He was running all over the field and I believe he led us in tackles,” Mays said.
Oscar Conchas Cruz (No. 68) recorded a pair of tackles for loss in the win and stuffed a fourth down play to give Douglas possession.
Dustin Danen (No. 6) was also credited with two tackles for loss.
Though the Tigers didn’t score in the first half, Mays still felt there was plenty of positives to take away with the Douglas’ ability to move the ball.
Quarterback Jackson Ovard (No. 9) delivered some crucial passes on the final drive even when under pressure.
The running game once again showed why it’ll be the Tigers’ bread and butter for another season.
“Even in the first half we were able to move the ball some. We just kept making mistakes and that’s where we need to grow,” Mays said. “It’s always easier to learn those lessons after a win. We’re young, we knew we were going to have some growing pains along the way and hope it doesn’t cost us any games.”
