Douglas High’s Cameron Swain lays a hit on Galena’s quarterback during the season-opener in Minden last week. Swain and the Tigers have an upset bid on their mind this week.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Coming off the first shutout win in recent program history, Douglas High football is riding into Friday night’s game against Bishop Manogue ready to work.
As soon as the Tigers’ broke down their 26-0 win over Galena last week, they knew the challenges that stood in front of them seven days later.
The praise from the initial win was obvious, but head coach Ernie Monfiletto made sure to point out to his black and orange army the following week would be a fight unlike one they’ve seen since 2019.
The Miners are coming off a 38-16 win over Spanish Springs in their season opener in which they scored 38 unanswered points after falling behind 7-0.
It was a field day for Miner senior quarterback Drew Scolari who was 14-of-23 passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Scolari, who wears No. 12, also ran for 169 yards on the ground and two more touchdowns on 12 carries.
Slowing the Miners
The defending Class 4A Northern Region champs are heavy with upperclassmen that returned from the 2019 team.
Cort Ballinger (No. 10) was Scolari’s favorite target last week, pulling down eight of Scolari’s 14 completed passes on the evening for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
After the Tigers’ defense posted a shutout against Galena, keeping the Miners relatively contained will be crucial.
Big plays burned the Tigers in 2019, but Douglas will counter with an offense that is still finding its next gear.
The three-headed backfield of Trevor Kruger, Christopher Smalley and Gabe Foster ran all over the Grizzlies in Week One.
Kruger totaled 21 carries in the win with 247 yards and a score. His 247 yards on the ground was easily enough to top the area leaders list.
On top of Kruger’s production, Smalley added another 55 yards and two bruising touchdowns.
On top of getting a rushing touchdown, Foster added eight tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
With growing confidence in its running game, the Tigers can also fall back on being the top defensive team in Class 5A in the opening week.
Galena managed just 28 total yards of offense in Minden and the Tigers need to keep the Miners’ offense contained if they want to lean back on the ground game.
What: Douglas (1-0) at Bishop Manogue (1-0)
When: Friday night at 6 p.m.
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