Priou's late INT seals win for Douglas football

With 3:16 to play in regulation, Spring Creek needed to go the 80 yards in order to take down Douglas in its home stadium.

After the Spartans converted two fourth downs on their final drive, the Tigers may have been starting to feel the pressure.

However, junior Nathan Priou was able to jump a Spartan pass for an interception, sealing a 27-22 win for Douglas in its first home game of the season.

“I saw him throw that little lob and I had to go get the ball,” said Priou. “I’ve been watching this team since I was five or six (years old). I wanted to be in that position and it just all came rushing to me. I couldn’t control my emotions. I was about to start crying.”

The win moves the Tigers to 2-1 this season and gets them back on track after a loss last week at Elko.

“We kept getting them to fourth down on that last drive and could not shut the door on them,” said Mays. “Nathan Priou just came up with a big play there.”

BACK AND FORTH AFFAIR

The Tigers took a 14-6 lead at the break and immediately made it a two-possession game as Zack Jackson bolted 62 yards to the end zone on the second play from scrimmage in the third quarter.

Jackson’s second touchdown of the game gave the Tigers a 21-6 lead less than a minute into the second half.

Spring Creek rallied back with 16 unanswered points, responding to Jackson’s touchdown with an 80-yard touchdown drive.

With 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Spartans took the lead, 22-21, after a Douglas fumble gave Spring Creek the ball at the Tiger 24.

The Tigers didn’t flinch taking possession back – along with the lead – over the next two-and-a-half minutes.

On second-and-8 from their own 37, Tiger quarterback Jackson Ovard booted out of the pocket for a 15-yard completion to give Douglas a fresh set of downs.

After a pair of two-yard gains, Spring Creek broke up a pass, putting the Tigers up against the wall on fourth-and-6 from the Spartan 44.

Ovard found Brenton Weston for a nine-yard strike to get a fresh set of downs.

Douglas only needed one more play to get back in front on the scoreboard as Ovard slung a pass to Weston on a slant route and the senior wideout sprinted 35 yards for six with 3:16 to play in regulation.

Douglas didn’t convert a 2-point try, holding onto a five-point lead as Spring Creek started its final drive.

As the clock began to drain away, Douglas’ Braden Lenz had consecutive tackles in the backfield to force Spring Creek into a fourth down, but the Spartans converted. Dustin Danen also swatted down a pass for the Tiger defense, but once again Spring Creek moved the chains on fourth down.

The road team was down to Douglas’ 41 before Priou’s interception iced the game.

“The kids get all the credit for that. … The last three years we haven’t won close games. … Three close games (this season) and two of those are victories,” said Mays.

FIRST HALF GRIT

Douglas was able to build on its lead out of half thanks to a hustle play from Jackson.

Midway through the second quarter, Spring Creek completed a short pass over the middle of the field and broke free toward the end zone.

Jackson tracked the Spartan ball carrier down at the 9-yard line, saving a touchdown.

The Spartans took a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty before their next snap, backing them up to the 23.

The touchdown-saving play allowed the Tiger defense to stand strong and prevent the Spartans from putting any points on the board, maintaining a 7-6 lead with 5:56 to go in the first half.

“He’s just the ultimate competitor,” said Mays of Jackson. “He’s playing through some bumps and bruises. I mean that kid just gives everything he’s got. He is the epitome of Douglas football and we are just glad he’s on our team.”

Douglas took advantage of the stop, going 81 yards for six as Evan Youmans finished the drive with a 1-yard score on a fullback dive with 1:51 to go before the half, putting the Tigers in front, 14-6.  

Jackson scored the first touchdown of the evening for the Tigers on a 16-yard carry, breaking a handful of tackles on his way to pay dirt, giving Douglas a 7-6 lead with 9:18 left in the opening half.

The junior running back and defensive back ended the night with 103 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and two touchdowns, unofficially.

Ultimately, it’s a win for Douglas that continues to show the team’s moxie late in games.

“It’s huge. They took the momentum from us,” said Priou. “To get that win at the end, … it’s huge and it allows us to build as a team.”

UP NEXT: Douglas (2-1) will be back on the road next week, traveling to North Valleys (2-1) Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

AREA SCORES

Fernley 67, Wooster 0

Oakdale 42, Galena 7

Rocklin 48, Bishop Manogue 17

McQueen 47, Foothill 14

Spanish Springs 17, Clayton Valley 0

Twelve Bridges 39, Reed 36

North Valleys 47, Lowry 20

Faith Lutheran 41, Damonte Ranch 0

Incline 40, Dayton 13

Foothill 34, Reno 9 

(Brenton Weston celebrates in the end zone after a 35-yard receiving touchdown gave Douglas a 27-22 lead late in the fourth quarter Friday night against Spring Creek. / Ron Harpin)