DAYTON (1-3) AT SPRING CREEK (2-1)
When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Spring Creek High School
Players to watch: Spring Creek - Dayton - FB-LB Nick Bircheff, WR Ryan Tookey, RB Conner Oliver, OL-DL Mitch Gilgert. Spring Creek - QB Alex Baker, WR Louis Nolte, RB Andrew Cunningham.
The skinny: Dayton stumbled badly in the second half last week against Sparks, so it will be interesting to see how the Dust Devils bounce back. Spring Creek is coming off a 28-7 loss to Fernley. Spring Creek didn't score until the fourth quarter to Fernley. Andrew Cunningham rushed for 108 yards last week
DOUGLAS (2-1) AT FALLON (1-2)
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Fallon High School
Players to watch: Douglas - QB Tim Rudnick, WR James McLaughlin, WR Zach McFadden, OL-DL Parker Robertson, DB Tanner Thomas, DB Brad Gonzales, DB Nico Barker. Fallon - QB Dexter Daum, WR Trent de Braga, C Anthony Tisdale, LB Ryan Stevens.
The skinny: Fallon has struggled in losses to Reno and North Valleys. The Greenwave's only win was against 3A Sparks, 38-7. Fallon will be hard-pressed to contain Douglas' aerial game featuring quarterback Tim Rudnick and wide receivers James McLaughlin and Zach McFadden. Parker Robertson is a stalwart on both the offensive and defensive lines, and Nico Barker has played well defensively for Mike Rippee's team.
GALENA (0-3) AT DAMONTE RANCH (1-1)
When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Damonte Ranch
Players to watch: Galena - QB Beau Bickel, RB Jarrod Faust, LB Taylor Tatro, TE Luke Hess, OL Jeff Belle, WR Nick Dufur. Damonte Ranch - QB Ray Daniels.
The skinny: Both teams will want to get off to a fast start in this Sierra League opener. For the Grizzlies, it's a chance to redeem themselves after a terrible preseason. With Bishop Manogue and Douglas figuring to take the top two spots in the league, the last two will be up for grabs, and nobody else has shown much in preseason. The Grizzlies need improved play from Bickel as well as the defensive unit which allowed way too many yards on the ground.