When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Dayton High School
Coaches: Rick Walker (Dayton); Chris Ward (Fernley)
What's at Stake: For the Dust Devils it's win and they are most likely in, and that would be great to see in Rick Walker's last home game as Dayton's head coach. Dayton, Fernley and South Tahoe are tied for the sixth and final spot in the playoffs with 2-5 league records. South Tahoe finishes with Truckee, so it's most likely that Truckee wins that one. If Dayton wins and Lowry beats Fallon, the Dust Devils could move up to fifth place and avoid Truckee in the first round of the playoffs and Fallon would move to the sixth spot. If South Tahoe does pull off the upset, Dayton's season is over. If Dayton finishes fifth it would travel to Spring Creek for the second time in three weeks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Dayton's offense has been led all year by the group of Conner Oliver (78 yards rushing, 203 receiving), quarterback Kage Walker (1,168 yards and 11 TDs passing and 190 rushing), running back Kyle Onstott (779 yards rushing and 84 yards receiving) and leading receiver Dusty Smith (20-358-3). WR Logan Jones also has had some games this year. The key for the Dust Devils is giving Walker time to throw, so the Vaqueros' defense can't stack the line against Onstott. On defense, Walker (85 tackles), linebacker Tyler Firestone (73) and tackle Manuel Castaneda (69) have had stellar seasons.
Fernley does a nice job of balancing the pass and run. QB Kenny Bradley has thrown for 1,527 yards and 10 scores while rushing for 230 yards and four scores. Oscar Aceves (338 yards, 3 TDs), Landyn Perreira (296 yards, 2 scores) and Jeremy Ruiz (289 yards) are the main ball carriers. Charlie Cooper is the top receiver with 31 catches for 280 yards. Ronnie Ragusa (63 tackles, 2 sacks), Paul Bustamonte (42 tackles, 1 interception), Jordan Berumen (62 tackles) and Tyler Neves (52 tackles) lead a defense which has been up and down.
STATS OF NOTE: Fernley has been held without a TD in two of its last four games (shut out by Truckee and 3 points against Lowry, The Vaqueros average 18 a game but give up 24 a contest. Dayton scores 17.3 a game and gives up 24 a game.
PREDICTION: Dayton 24, Fernley 16
- Darrell Moody