If there’s anyone who deserves a break, who deserves to exhale and kick their feet up, it’s Rob Kittrell. After 19 years as the head football coach at Sparks, Kittrell stepped down from his post early last week. I feel I can speak for his former players, coaches he’s worked with and against, the administration at Sparks High, and anyone else he’s associated with as I … [Read more...]
Kittrell steps down after 19 years as Sparks football coach
Coaching a high school football program takes some wherewithal. Coaching a prep program for nearly two decades requires patience, endurance, strength, passion, thick skin and a genuine love for the kids, as well as the game. That’s just to name a few essential characteristics. Rob Kittrell embodied it all. After 19 years leading Sparks, Kittrell officially announced … [Read more...]
Football: Sparks falls to Wooster in finale
Despite 425 rushing yards, Sparks came up short in the season finale at Wooster on Friday night, 28-13. The Railroaders finish the season 2-7, 2-7 in the 3A North. The Colts, improved to 3-6, 3-6. Neither is going to the postseason. Fernley (4-5) grabbed the sixth and final playoff spot. Jorge Dominguez racked up 234 rushing yards on 18 carries in the loss. … [Read more...]
Sparks eliminated from postseason with loss to Fallon
Sparks was mathematically eliminated from postseason contention on Friday night with a 35-0 home loss to Fallon. It was the Railroaders’ final home game of the season. Sparks (1-6, 1-6) fell two games back of Fernley, which sits in the sixth and final 3A North playoff spot, with just two games to play. Fernley (3-4, 3-4) snuck past Wooster on Friday night, 15-14, and owns … [Read more...]
Sparks no match for unbeaten Truckee
Sparks was handed an awfully difficult task on Saturday afternoon at Truckee. Losers of their previous three, the Railroaders went on the road to take on an undefeated Wolverine program that has awoken from its slumber the last few years. Truckee won its three previous games by a combined score of 143-0. So it should come as little surprise that Sparks’ losing streak … [Read more...]
Early lead slips as Sparks drops third straight
Early in the second quarter on Friday night in Fernley, Sparks found itself sitting on a 13-7 lead. Whatever was holding the dam at that point, broke. The Vaqueros scored a quick 26 points before going to the locker room and went on to roll, 46-20. Sparks fell to 1-4, 1-4 in the 3A North with its third straight defeat. Fernley improved to 2-3, 2-3. The Railroaders had … [Read more...]
Second quarter dooms Sparks against Spring Creek
Sparks gave undefeated Spring Creek a game on Friday night, but ultimately fell short, 42-28 at home. The Spartans improved to 4-0, 4-0 in 3A North play. The Railroaders dropped to 1-3, 1-3. Sparks’ record obviously is not where coach Rob Kittrell would like it after three games, however, the Railroaders have played arguably the league’s toughest schedule after four … [Read more...]
Sparks suffers OT loss in Elko
Some losses are tougher than others. The 2016 Sparks Railroaders can now testify to that. Leading 13-10 in overtime at Elko on Friday night, Sparks forced Elko into a third and goal from the 17. A stop would’ve resulted in a win. A field goal would’ve forced a second overtime. A disaster would’ve made the long bus ride even longer. Elko called a timeout and dialed up a … [Read more...]