The Spanish Springs football team held a second half lead in all four games they’ve played this year.
Despite the late advantages, they are just 2-2.
“We obviously wanted to go maybe one game better, but we’ll take it,” Spanish Springs coach Eric Borja said after Friday’s comeback win against Galena. “We’re better off than we have been the last couple years. Hopefully we can build on this and get to where we need to be.”
They allowed the final 20 unanswered in the season-opening loss to Foothill. They allowed the final 26 unanswered in a loss at Damonte two weeks ago. Early on Friday, they tried beating themselves again.
A safety on a punt snap, a 51-yard touchdown run on Galena’s first play of the game, three first half turnovers and four fumbles in the second half (they landed on all of them) were the continuation of a troubling early-season trend.
Coming up on Friday is the biggest game for the Spanish Springs football program idn recent memory. The Cougars go to McQueen (where Borja was an assistant before taking Spanish Springs job) looking to solidify early playoff positioning.
McQueen is off to a 1-3 start.
If the Cougars can get out of their own way, there’s no reason to think they can’t win by a couple touchdowns. But if they get sloppy, especially in the second half, the Cougs will take an 0-1 league record to North Valleys next week.
Don’t look too much into Spanish Springs (volleyball) loss to Bishop Manogue
The Cougars’ perfect start in 4A North play ended emphatically last Wednesday in south Reno.
Spanish Springs was swept aside in straight sets at Bishop Manogue.
The Miners are a very good volleyball team. They will once again be one of the last teams left standing come regional tournament time. The could very likely win it all for the second straight year. However, the Miners are not that much better than the Cougars.
That was the most out of sorts Spanish Springs has looked this year. Bishop Manogue’s intimate gym was packed. It felt like a playoff game. It appeared to catch the Cougs off guard.
Uncharacteristically sloppy defense prevented the diverse offensive attack from every finding a rhythm. In one six-point stretch, the Miners served four aces. I’d venture to say that’s the first time someone’s done that to the Cougars. I’d also venture to say it will be the last.
These two teams seem destined for another meeting this year. The loser will be turning in their uniforms after that one.
A strong argument could be made for Bishop Manogue to be the best team in the 4A North right now, especially after Wednesday’s statement. But next time they play, don’t expect it to end in three.
Nathan can also be reached via email at nshoup@sparkstrib.com. His weekly column, ‘Shoup Shots,’ runs in the hard copy of the Sparks Tribune every Tuesday morning.
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