Douglas High junior Peio Ithurburu blocks last Friday. Ithurburu and the Tigers travel to McQueen this Friday.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
After a 31-28 loss to Spanish Springs last Friday, there won’t be much on the minds of Tiger football players other than picking up a win this week at McQueen.
The Lancers have lost three of their last four, but their offense showed some good signs last week in a 45-26 loss to Bishop Manogue.
LANCER WEAPONS
McQueen’s quarterback Cooper Craft has been a weapon in the passing attack and on the ground when necessary.
Craft (No. 12) has thrown for 979 yards this fall with six touchdowns and five interceptions, but has escaped the pocket for another 211 yards and three scores on the ground.
When it’s not Craft with the ball in his hands, it’ll be running back Nason Rodriguez (No. 7), who has scampered for 303 yards and six touchdowns, per MaxPreps.
“Offensively, they are going to be spread out and try to keep us honest,” said Douglas coach Kyle Mays. “They are going to try to create gaps for that running back.”
Craft has had a diverse range of targets through the air, but his top weapon has been junior Alex Grush (No. 10), who has 252 yards and a touchdown.
Alex Hancock (No. 4) and Aiden Hayes (No. 8) both have a pair of receiving touchdowns.
On defense, Brooks Porter (No. 11) and Jocobi Regan (No. 47) lead the Lancers in nearly every statistical category.
The two have the team lead in tackles with 56 and 46, respectively.
Porter has nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks to his name while Regan has 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Both have a forced fumble.
McQueen will disguise a lot of its defensive looks and the Tiger offensive line should expect heavy pressure from blitzes.
“They are going to bring pressure from all over the place,” said Mays. “They’ll try to let their d-line and linebackers try to make plays in the backfield and have their DBs man up in the passing game.”
TIGER OFFENSIVE PROWL
Douglas’ offense had a quality game Friday in the loss.
Jackson Ovard completed 16-for-20 passes with 187 yards and two touchdowns.
On the ground, Zack Jackson and Evan Youmans had 94 and 92 yards rushing, respectively, with a touchdown each. Youmans also caught a touchdown.
Brenton Weston recorded eight catches for 98 yards and caught his eighth touchdown. Weston also led the team in tackles with nine while Michael Sinclair posted eight.
“That game was physical,” said Mays. “We could’ve pulled that one out. If we get a shot at them (Spanish Springs) again, hopefully it can be different.”
