ELKO - It was homecoming weekend for the Elko football team, but the Indians were treated rather rudely on their home field as Galena came to Warrior Field and posted a 38-0 win Friday night.
From the time the Tribe lost the coin toss, little went right for the home team.
The Elko offense was repeatedly blind-sided by the Grizzlies' blitz, and the defense was unable to stop Galena's methodical running game.
"That's been their M.O. throughout the whole year is that they're very effective running the ball," Tribe coach Dan Chappuis said. "Hats off to Galena. They played hard. Their a fast, physical team that will go far in the playoffs."
The Grizzlies (4-0 High Desert League, 7-1) were dominating on defense as they held Elko (0-5 High Desert League, 0-8) to only three first downs in the game. The Tribe managed just 86 total yards but lost 17 yards on its net thanks to three Galena sacks.
After forcing the Indians to a 3-and-out on the opening series, the Grizzlies ran 3:34 off the clock as they scored on a nine-yard pass from Jacob Anderson to Steven Blackhart.
The Indians fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Galena's Kevin Gerow recovered on the Tribe's 15.
Elko's defense held its visitors to a 27-yard field goal, which was converted by Christopher Ewald.
Trailing 10-0, the Indians tried to pass the ball down the field, but Galena's Thomas Baird recorded back-to-back sacks to force them to punt on their own 2. Chappuis commented after the game that his offensive line had problems picking up Galena's blitz all night.
On the Grizzlies' third drive, Jimmy Sargent carried the ball six times, including a one-yard TD run to put his team up 17-0 after one quarter of play.
At the 7:25 mark in the second quarter, Elko's Everett Brill ripped off 14 yards on a carry and picked up his team's only first down of the half. Brill, who has been running the ball well the last three weeks, tallied only 29 yards on 10 carries.
The Tribe's next drive was brief as it fumbled the punt and Galena's Jason Parkinson recovered the turnover on Elko's 28.
Four plays later, Anderson hit Jesse Snodgrass for a 15-yard touchdown. The duo hooked up again in third quarter on a 12-yard score to put the Grizzlies up 31-0.
Galena's final score came on a two-yard scamper by Keith Hubert late in the fourth period.
"Our guys played hard, but we've got to make plays when we've got a chance," Chappuis said. "I'm proud of the team's effort."
Elko quarterback Bryce Carlton was 3-for-11 for 25 yards to go along with Brill's ground attack.
For Galena, Sargent ran for 173 yards on 24 carries to highlight a running game that amassed 282 yards. Anderson, meanwhile, threw for 84 yards on 8 of 19 passing.
The Indians have a bye next week before hosting Spanish Springs Oct. 26.