FERNLEY " The Fernley Vaqueros took command of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball Friday night and finally put a game in the win column, opening its Northern 3A season with a 28-7 triumph against Spring Creek.
Fernley was firmly in control throughout the contest, scoring twice in the first and third quarters while the defense came within 23 seconds of pitching a shutout against a perennial playoff contender.
Junior running back Mike Kendricks racked up 136 yards on 34 carries and scored once. Junior quarterback Bryce Baker completed 13 of 16 passes for 116 yards and one TD, plus he ran for two more scores as the Vaqueros marched up and down the field " controlling the ball and the clock. Baker connected on his first eight pass attempts to set the tone for the night.
Fernley scored on its first two possessions after holding the Spartans to a pair of three-and-outs. The first drive was keyed by a 22-yard burst by Kendricks over the right side, followed by a 15-yard keeper around the left end by Baker. Kendricks scored from the 2 at the 6:01 mark.
After backing up Spring Creek four yards to force a punt, Fernley took over at its own 47. Kendricks carried three times for 24 yards, including 19 on a draw play, to put the ball at Spring Creek's 28. Baker looked to senior tight end Stephen Abrams, who drew a pass interference in the end zone, setting up the Vaqueros at the 14. After finding Abrams again for 12 yards, Baker called his own number for the score. With the PAT, Fernley led 14-0 with 1:54 left in the first quarter. Spring Creek had run just eight plays by that time.
Penalties were the only thing to stop the Vaqueros in the second quarter as a holding call stalled one drive and an intentional grounding call ended another.
Fernley scored on back-to-back drives in the third quarter with two plays for the highlight reels.
Baker was set up with a first-and-10 at the Spring Creek 20-yard line and dropped back to pass. Finding no receiver, he scrambled to his left. When that route was cut off, Baker cut back to his right, weaving through would-be tacklers until he broke free and headed for the corner of the end zone, covering nearly 40 yards in a 20-yard TD run.
Fernley's next score was set up by an offensive flag. On third-and-10, Fernley was flagged for having an illegal man downfield, setting up a third-and-15 at its own 24. Baker back-pedaled and found senior wide-out Josh Perry streaking behind the defense for a 76-yard score.
Fernley's defense was dominant, sacking the Spartan QB five times for minus 24 yards and making 12 stops for negative yardage.
The Vaqueros are now 1-3 on the year and host the Yerington Lions on Friday.
Fernley beat Spring Creek in the junior varsity game, 19-6.
- Contact Rob Renaud at rrenaud@nevadaappeal.com