Second quarter dooms Sparks against Spring Creek

Tribune photo by John Byrne – Senior running back Hunter O’Meara ran for 191 yards on 21 carries on Friday night at home against Spring Creek. The big effort came in a 42-28 loss.

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 games. The three teams Sparks has lost to (South Tahoe, Elko and Spring Creek) are a combined 11-1.

The Railroaders trailed just 14-13 after the first quarter, only to get outscored 16-0 in the second, and took a 30-13 deficit to the locker room.

The deficit grew to 42-21 after three. Sparks scored the lone touchdown in the fourth.

Senior running back Hunter O’Meara was once again Sparks’ primary offensive weapon as week one starting quarterback Nick Van Patten missed his third straight game with a concussion. O’Meara totted the rock 29 times for 191 yards.