Head coach Kyle Mays, right, breaks down the next drill for the Douglas High football team during a practice this past week. The Tigers are anxious to get the season underway and prove they’re better than their record indicated last season.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
Fall sports are back in action and Douglas High football has every intention to continue building off of its 1-8 record last season.
Head coach Kyle Mays enters his second season leading the Tigers on the sideline and while Douglas feels they’re in a better spot than last season, depth will be crucial for the team this fall.
“Overall, we feel like we’re in a much better place,” said Mays. “This year we feel really good. The kids are working hard. Overall, we just want to get better. If you’re satisfied with 1-8, this is probably not the place you want to be.”
The Tigers’ varsity roster will host 37 athletes this season, meaning health will be a priority.
Douglas has been working through summer camp for the last couple of weeks and Mays feels the team leaders have been instrumental to the preseason.
“That’s probably where I’ve been the most pleased with them,” said Mays. “When it comes from the kids, it’s obviously a ton better.”
Douglas has four captains this year leading the way in Rock Gignac, Jacob Brady, Aden Flory and junior Cole Smalley.
“It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s a great burden to have,” said Flory of being named captain.
“It means a lot that all my teammates voted me to be a captain and I’m one of the best guys to lead them,” said Brady. “We just want to keep everyone so that they’re working hard.”
Making sure the Tigers’ are in tune for the season opener will be critical as Douglas boasts one of the tougher schedules in Northern Nevada.
Douglas will open the year against two CIF section winners this year in Argonaut and Vanden before jumping into region play against last season’s regional champs, McQueen.
“The first three weeks we wanted to challenge ourselves and see where we are at. Our schedule is pretty loaded,” said Mays. “You watch those guys on film, they’re all very disciplined.”
Offensive looks
Flory will be back under center for the Tigers this season after serving as the varsity quarterback as a sophomore.
The offense will still be the usual brand of Douglas football, relying heavily on the run and making space in-between the tackles.
“I’m looking to get some good film, get some wins with my guys and have fun this year,” said Flory. “We’re just trying to prove we’re not an easy team and we’re not the team that everyone is going to beat this year.”
Connor Jackson and Ben Lemalu will be behind Flory at tailback.
The line of scrimmage will be junior heavy, but will feature senior captain Jacob Brady at guard.
Mays says the offensive line is still being pieced together.
“We’ve got kids competing. The kids are constantly grinding and competing against each other,” said Mays.
Trace Estes will be at wideout for Douglas and Gignac will be in the mix at both wide receiver and in the backfield.
Max Swain and Ryker Rivinius will also be lined up out wide for the Tigers.
Defense
It’s not much of a secret who will be anchoring the defense for Douglas this season as Cole Smalley is penned in at middle linebacker.
Smalley was an honorable mention for the all-region team at linebacker as a sophomore last season.
Ben Schinzing and Aaron Tekansik will also see time at linebacker as well.
The defensive line in front of Smalley has some depth, according to Mays.
Brady – who was a second team all-region player on defense last year – will be a staple on the defensive line while Mays says Flory may be the only quarterback in Northern Nevada to be playing both ways.
Kyle Koontz will see plenty of snaps on the defensive line and is also listed at tight end on the offensive side of the ball.
Koontz returns after earning an honorable mention nod at defensive tackle last year as well.
Juniors will cover the exterior of the defense in Jackson, Swain, Zach Westbrook and Grant Gomes.
Special teams are still in flux for Douglas at the moment.
Smalley is the early leader for punter while Kaleb Valdez will be penciled in at kicker after earning honorable mention all-region at the position last season.
“It’s ging to be mostly about using them for field position, not put us in a position to cost us,” said Mays. “We don’t want to lose games because of special teams.”
(A handful of Douglas players get into a three-point stance prior to a conditioning drill at practice this past Wednesday. / Carter Eckl)
Coaching staff
Matt Tretton will be back at offensive coordinator for the Tigers this season while Ryan Moglich also returns to his duties as defensive coordinator.
Brady Ovard is the quarterbacks and defensive line coach. Alongside Ovard will be Steven Nelms, who will serve in his first season with the Tigers as the running backs and defensive backs coach.
Tiger football schedule
8/19 – v. Argonaut
8/26 – at Vanden
9/2 – at McQueen
9/9 – at Reno
9/16 – v. Galena
9/23 – at Reed
9/30 – v. Damonte Ranch
10/6 – Bye
10/14 – at Carson
10/21 – v. Spanish Springs
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