Dayton draws Truckee in 3A opener

For three weeks every member of the Dayton football team has said they didn't want to face top-seeded Truckee.

After all, the Dust Devils were already whipped once by the Wolverines and were hoping for an easier route in the first round of the Northern 3A regional playoffs.

But wishes don't get granted on football fields.

After losing to the Wolverines 55-6 in Week 7, the Dust Devils lost their final two games but still earned a spot in the playoffs. Now they will have to figure out a way to overcome their shortcomings from just a few weeks ago in a game that saw the Wolverines garnered 455 yards of total offense.

"I remember, I think it was my second or third year, we went up there when Travis Wood was a freshman," Dayton coach Rick Walker said prior to the Fernley game. "We had no reason to be there and I think we were ahead at halftime and we ended up losing 30-20. So if that's what happens (having to play Truckee), and that's the hand we're dealt, we'll deal with it."

Quarterback Ben Bolton was 11-for-15 passing for 230 yards and five touchdowns in the game. On the ground, Truckee (6-0 Northern 3A, 9-0) used 10 ball carriers to pick up 225 yards on the ground.

Dayton is hardly the only team the Wolverines blew out. Truckee has outscored its opponents this season 369-52, which includes a 55-9 win over second-seeded Fernley.

Fourth-seeded Dayton (3-3, 6-3) had the chance to jump to the No. 2 seed in the season finale at Fernley, but fell 43-14. The loss helped the Vaqueros (5-1, 6-3) likely extend their playoff run with a matchup against Lowry (1 p.m. Saturday).

Fernley is led by returning 3A state Offensive Player of the Year Bryce Baker.

The quarterback has thrown for 1,238 yards and 13 TDs and ran for another 542 yards and 15 TDs, through eight games .

(stats haven't been submitted for the win over Dayton).

Like Fernley, tLowry like to throw the ball. Quarterback Jace Billingsley has tossed for 997 yards and 15 TDs along with running for additional 649 yards and the three scores.