Football: Fernley wins rivalry game, 31-21

 Fernley running back Keeshawn Love was anything but kind to the Greenwave on Friday during the Vaqueros’ homecoming game.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back carried the ball 30 times for 190 yards as Fernley defeated Fallon, 31-21, in Northern 3A play. Both teams are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Northern Division 3A. Fallon travels to Spring Creek this week to play the 3-1 Spartans. Elko, which is undefeated, then travels to Fallon on Oct. 18 for Senior Night.

The Vaqueros accumulated more than 400 yards total offense against Fallon with the rushing game accounting for 272 yards.

Fernley muscled its way in the game’s first series, completing 13 plays capped by quarterback Bryce Stephens’ keep on short yardage on a first and goal. The offense mixed it up against Fallon with Love pounding the middle for 17 yards and Stephens threading the football for 26 yards on a third and 11 from the Greenwave 36.

Stephens was 5 of 8 passing for 130 yards.

Jeremiah Spencer kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Fernley lead.

The Vaqueros defense stymied Fallon in the last 4 minutes of the first quarter, forcing the Wave to punt on fourth down. Fallon quarterback Matthew Bird punted the ball inside the Fernley 23.

The Vaqueros, though, relied on the one-two punch from Love and Stephens. Love pushed through the Greenwave defense midway through the second quarter for a 37-yard touchdown run after finding a big hole on the left side. Stephens engineered the 2-point conversion.

Stephens also scored another touchdown late in the quarter after Fernley marched down the field in 81 yards on 10 plays.

The Greenwave found the end zone late in the quarter on a 12-yard pass from Bird to Wyatt Peek. Bird kicked the extra point as Fallon trailed 22-7 at halftime.

Fallon’s defense settled down in the second half, limiting Fernley to a touchdown. The Greenwave defense stopped Fernley in its first possession after halftime, stopping the home team in seven plays before a punt bounced out of bounds at the Fallon 18.

The Wave imploded on the next series. On fourth down, the snap sailed over Bird’s head for a safety and a 24-7 Fernley lead.

The Greenwave limited Fernley to one touchdown for the rest of the game, on Stephens’ keeper from the 2-yard line.

Fallon scored twice in the fourth quarter. Bird scored on a 15-yard quarterback keeper and also snuck the ball in from 3-yards.

Fernley pounded at the end zone again, falling short on a fourth and goal from the 22. Fallon faced a similar situation in its final possession with the Vaqueros stopping Bird.

Fallon stats for the game were not available at press time.