Tiger football stumbles against Reed

Douglas High School football knew it had to be at its best to hang with the Reed Raiders Friday night.

However, a couple of early turnovers and other miscues resulted in a 35-16 win for Reed in Minden.

“We continually just shot ourselves in the foot all the way around,” said Douglas head coach Kyle Mays. “We were doing things on offense and defense and then we would shoot ourselves in the foot, whatever that was. … Made way too many mistakes to play a good team like Reed.”

Reed was able to fall on two Tiger fumbles in the opening half and took a 21-0 lead with 4:52 left in the first half.

It was enough of an edge for the Raiders to keep the lead throughout the contest.

EARLY TURNOVERS

Douglas started with possession to open the game and the Tiger offense pushed the ball 65 yards into the red zone before their first turnover.

Reed capitalized on the fumble and scored on its opening possession.

After a Tiger three-and-out, Bronwyn Rios found the end zone for the second time on an 8-yard run, giving Reed a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Douglas’ next offensive possession went into Reed territory once again, but a missed 49-yard field goal left the Tigers without any points.

The Tigers’ special teams were able to jump on a Reed mistake as an errant snap on a Raider punt gave Douglas possession inside the red zone.

Douglas’ second play of the series was ruled a backward pass and fumble, which Reed snagged for its second turnover.

The Raiders went 85 yards on five plays for six points as quarterback Nishaan Bajwa called his own number for a 3-yard carry into the end zone.

Down 21-0, Douglas steadied itself on offense.

Jackson Ovard tossed his first touchdown of the contest to a diving Brenton Weston for a 7-yard touchdown reception between the two captains.

Weston’s catch on the home sideline of the end zone was worthy of its own highlight reel, bringing Douglas within two touchdowns, 21-7.

2:12 2Q | Reed 21, Douglas 7

Jackson Ovard throws a fade to Brenton Weston, who makes an incredible catch for six. Tigers get a much needed score before the half. pic.twitter.com/FJZwgAoOZU

— Carter Eckl (@CarterEckl) October 19, 2024

Reed scored on its opening possession out of the halftime intermission, quickly moving back in front by three scores.

The Raiders kept their three-possession lead after Weston was able to convert a 36-yard field goal with 6:47 to go in the third quarter, making it 28-10.

Reed missed a field goal on its next time with the rock – one of only a handful of Raider drives to not end in the end zone.

Douglas worked its way back down the field, as Zack Jackson was able to score from one-yard out.

The Tigers tried a fake point after, but the pass from Weston as the kicker fell incomplete, leaving Reed with a 28-16 lead with 7:48 to go in regulation.

The Raiders tacked on one more score as Rios scampered into the end zone for the third time on a 42-yard screen pass. The Raider junior running back finished his night with 187 yards, unofficially, between rushing and receiving. 

“They are well coached and they execute very well. You can’t make mistakes against them. It’s not like we have to play perfect, but when you continually make mistakes, they compound on each other,” said Mays. “It’s unacceptable and it’s not our standard or where we want to be.”

UP NEXT: Douglas (6-3, 2-2 in Class 5A North Div. II league play) will be back at home this coming Thursday against Bishop Manogue (6-3, 3-0).

AREA SCORES

Carson 27, North Valleys 21

Bishop Manogue 48, Reno 26

Galena 51, Hug 6

Spanish Springs 33, McQueen 13

Damonte Ranch 41, Wooster 0

Dayton 51, North Tahoe 0

Lowry 41, South Tahoe 14

Spring Creek 34, Fernley 13

Truckee 49, Sparks 0