Shannon Litz/Nevada Appeal News Service
RENO - Stopping the run and winning the turnover battle are two keys to winning a football game at any level.
Unfortunately, the Blue all-star squad did neither Friday night, and dropped a 21-0 decision to the Silver squad at the 29th annual Sertoma Classic at Mackay Stadium.
It was the seventh shutout in Sertoma history, and the first since 2006 when the Blue beat the Silver 24-0.
Carson's Blair Roman, who coached the Blue squad, expected a low-scoring game. He probably didn't expect to see a goose egg on his side of the scoreboard. The Blue offense managed just 94 yards total offense unofficially.
"We turned the ball over four times," Roman said. "You can't do that in an all-star game. You can't give the other team a short field. With two minutes to go in the third quarter, we'd only run off 17 plays (actually 21). They controlled the game.
"The two big tackles from Reed (Kyle Roberts and Garrett Corbett) were pretty dominant at times. They were able to run the ball off tackle. (Johnny) Pollack (Douglas High) and (Christian) Thompson (Reed High) both played well."
Unofficially, Pollack, the Silver MVP, gained 99 yards on nine carries, including a 24-yard TD run in the second half. Thompson gained 82 yards on 12 attempts.
"Johnny did a really good job," said Silver coach Bob Shaffer of Truckee. "He showed flashes at practice, but nothing like tonight."
Pollack, as per his custom, said he was happy to contribute to the win and admitted it was nice to end his high school career on a winning note. He also gave kudos to the offensive line.
"I was pretty quiet (at practice)," Pollack said. "I was learning. It all came together tonight."
The first half was a microcosm of the game. The Blue squad barely had the ball, and had just 15 yards of total offense. The defense couldn't get off the field. The Silver was 5-for-9 on third down conversions and 1-for-1 on its only fourth down conversion attempt.
The Silver squad scored a touchdown, safety and field goal in the first 24 minutes, walking off the field at the half with an 11-0 lead.
Elko's Joey Roberts set up the first score of the game for the Silver when he stripped Blue quarterback Beau Bickel (Galena) of the ball and recovered it at the Blue 22.
Two straight penalties gave the Silver a first down at the Blue 12. Tyler Pine, of Reed, completed a pass in the left flat to Pollack, who took it down to the 5. Pine scored on a keeper on the next play for a 6-0 lead with 1:07 left. Nikolai Vasquez's PAT was blocked.
The Silver stars threatened to score on their next possession, driving from their own 31 to the Blue 1. Josh Peacock intercepted a Dylan Bloyed pass after Garrett Shutt shook it loose from the Silver receiver.
"I thought I was in the end zone when I caught it (the ball)," Peacock said. "Garrett deflected it and I grabbed it."
On the next play, there was a problem with the exchange and Blue quarterback Bryce Baker fumbled into the endzone. A Blue lineman fell on the ball for a safety to make it 8-0 with 5:50 left in the half.
The Silver got right back on the board after the free kick driving down to the Blue 14 thanks to the passing of Pine, who completed 4-for-5 for 33 yards on the drive. Douglas High's Vasquez made it 11-0 with 18 seconds left in the half with his 31-yard field goal.
"The early turnover and safety, that helped us out," Shaffer said.
Pollack scored an insurance touchdown in the third quarter when he scored on a 24-yard run. Vasquez's kick made it 18-0. Pollack also had a 36-yard run on the drive which gave the Silver a first down at the Blue's 30-yard line.
Vasquez added a 32-yard field goal to complete the scoring.
"The one thing we talked about is not allowing big plays defensively or on special teams," Shaffer said. "We did a good job in those areas. And, we had no turnovers."
SILVER 21, BLUE 0
Silver 6 5 7 3 - 21
Blue 0 0 0 0 - 0
First quarter
S - Pine 5 run (kick blocked)
Second quarter
S - Safety
S - Vasquez 31 FG
Third quarter
S - Pollack 24 run (Vasquez kick)
Fourth quarter
S - Vasquez 32 FG