Douglas High senior tight end Dustin Danen (6) hauls in a catch Friday night, during the Tigers' homecoming game against Spanish Springs.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Friday night’s homecoming game for Douglas High School featured more swings than an elementary school playground.
The two teams traded scores throughout the first half and into the second, but it was the Cougars that left Minden with a 31-28 win.
With 1:20 to go in regulation, Douglas faced a fourth-and-3 at Spanish Springs’ 32-yard line, trailing by three points.
The Tigers opted to go for it, handing the ball off to senior captain Evan Youmans, who had broken loose a handful of long runs throughout the game.
Spanish Springs was able to bust through the play, as junior linebacker Kyler Depaepe stopped the Tigers from reaching the first down marker.
“We thought we could pick it up. We thought the play was there. He’s (Depaepe) a good ball player and he just made the play,” said Douglas head coach Kyle Mays. “That’s obviously a very good Spanish Springs team.”
Douglas trailed throughout the first half, but took their first lead with 9:53 to go in the fourth quarter.
After Douglas’ defense held Spanish Springs to a 34-yard field goal, making it 24-21 Cougars, the Tiger offense was able to stay in rhythm and go 77 yards for a score.
On third-and-6, Jackson Ovard hit Brenton Weston on a slant route for gain 16 yards and get a fresh set of down.
Youmans got the ball on the next play and powered his way for 23 yards into Cougar territory.
Douglas faced a second-and-short two plays later and converted the first down on a play action bootleg as Ovard found Weston once again for a nine-yard completion.
The play action continued to catch the Cougars off guard as the Tigers ultimately capped the drive on a boot from Ovard to Youmans for a five-yard touchdown pass.
The score made it 28-24 Douglas with 9:53 to go in the fourth quarter.
“They are a super aggressive team so play action was working a little bit for us,” said Mays. “They were trying to play downhill to stop the run and that gave us some openings for the play action.”
Spanish Springs’ offense was able to answer back, chewing up four minutes of clock before hitting a 41-yard passing touchdown over the top of the Douglas defense, jumping back in front 31-28.
“We had some breakdowns that cost us on that last touchdown,” said Mays. “I’m proud of my kids, though. They played hard for 48 minutes.”
BACK AND FORTH FIRST HALF
Both sides looked impressive in the opening half.
Spanish Springs scored on its first possession, but the Tigers answered with a score of their own on their first drive.
Douglas faced a third-and-goal from the 13, but Jackson Ovard hit Brenton Weston on a quick pass and let Weston do the rest on his way into the end zone, making it 7-7.
The next two drives both ended in fourth down stops as the Tigers stopped the Cougars on fourth down, but Spanish Springs reciprocated and took over at Douglas’ 24.
It took all of four plays for the Cougars to go back in front, 14-7, with 11:02 left in the second quarter.
Douglas fumbled on its next possession, which the Cougars picked up in Tiger territory.
Spanish Springs needed just one play off the turnover to score and go up, 21-7.
The two-score deficit didn’t slow the Tigers as Youmans broke off a 51-yard touchdown run to get Douglas within seven, 21-14.
After back-to-back punts, Spanish Springs tried to get a quick score before the half, but Weston stepped in front of a wayward pass for an interception.
The senior captain nearly returned the pick for six, but was taken down at the five.
Zack Jackson got his number called on the next play, tying the contest at 21-all to go into the half.
UP NEXT: Douglas (5-2, 1-1 in Class 5A North Div. II play) will hit the road next week, taking on McQueen (3-4, 0-2) in Reno next Friday at 7 p.m.
AREA SCORES
Carson 40, Wooster 0
Spanish Springs 31, Douglas 28
Reed 52, Reno 20
Damonte Ranch 57, Hug 0
Galena 49, North Valleys 7
Truckee 42, Fallon 0