Douglas High's Braden Lenz (80) records a sack against Reno's quarterback Friday night, during the Tigers' 20-13 win over the Huskies to open Class 5A North Div. II league play.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
The Douglas High School football team continues to find ways to come up clutch late in games this season.
A 20-13 win over Reno Friday night moved the Tigers to 5-1 this season and cemented the team’s first win in its new league, Northern Class 5A Div. II, in their first appearance.
The Tigers held a 17-13 with 2:00 left to go in the fourth quarter after punting the ball back to the Huskies.
Reno tossed two quick passes to players near the sideline to get a fresh set of downs, but Douglas’ defense had other plans.
With a first-and-10 on their own 37, Reno dropped back to pass again but the Tigers defensive line recorded a sack, moving Reno back eight yards and forcing the Huskies to burn a timeout to save clock.
On the next play, Douglas senior captain Evan Youmans pressured the Reno quarterback and forced a strip sack recovered, which was recovered by defensive lineman Braden Lenz.
The turnover allowed Douglas to tack on three additional points, courtesy of a 26-yard Brenton Weston field goal, and essentially sealed the game as Reno couldn’t go the length of the field in the final 16 seconds.
“We fought hard all game. I can’t even begin to start with how proud I am of our defense,” said Youmans. “I think the grit and determination we have really came out in that fourth quarter.”
FINDING WAYS TO WIN
Both of Douglas’ touchdowns came courtesy of junior running back Zack Jackson.
In the opening quarter, Jackson scored on the Tigers’ first offensive play.
Jackson broke loose on an 89-yard (unofficial) touchdown run to give Douglas an early 7-0 lead.
Reno responded with a short drive to make it 7-6, scoring a touchdown of its own.
However, it was Jackson again that was able to find the end zone for the Tigers, recording his 11th rushing touchdown of the fall.
Jackson’s two scored allowed the Tigers to have a 14-13 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Leading 17-13 in the fourth quarter, Douglas defense came up with a monumental stop.
The Huskies had moved into Tiger territory and were on the verge of getting into the red zone.
However, the Tiger defensive line paved the way for Weston to get in the backfield and wrap up a sack on second-and-9 for a loss of six yards.
A Reno false start and incompletion put the Huskies in a punting situation.
Douglas’ containment of Reno quarterback Braylon Wilson was instrumental in keeping the Huskies off the board in the final quarter of play.
“That quarterback, he is hard to get a hold of. He’s much better than I thought he was going to be. That kid is the real deal once you get eyes on him in person,” said Douglas head coach Kyle Mays. “I’m really proud of my kids because they got after him for literally 48 minutes.”
A big part of that success came from Douglas defensive line – Oscar Conchas Cruz, Lenz, Justin Parra-McGee, Michael Cahill and Drake Ulmer – which was able to wreck havoc as the Tigers recorded several sacks late.
Youmans mentioned them specifically postgame as well as a corner on the game’s final play.
“We know we have the capability to be great. … I’m super impressed with our corners, too, this game. That big play by Dallin (Maidlow) at the end to keep that clock running. I’m super proud of them.”
UP NEXT: Douglas (5-1, 1-0 in Class 5A North Div. II league play) will return home for just its second home game of the season next Friday, hosting Spanish Springs (3-3, 0-1) for the Tigers' Homecoming game.
AREA SCORES
Douglas 20, Reno 13
Carson 37, Hug 0
Galena 21, Damonte Ranch 14
Bishop Manogue 28, Spanish Springs 7
Reed 49, McQueen 7
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