Only ranked team without a win last week (McQueen) was on bye
High School football can produce last-minute drama when games can go either way depending on a key play or two.
It can also produce four-quarter snooze fests when the outcome is decided long before the clock shows triple zeroes in the fourth quarter.
The 4A North presented both scenarios in week 3.
Damonte Ranch enacted running clock against Hug before the first quarter was over. Galena dismantled North Valleys. In somewhat of a surprise, Reed had its way with Carson. And Bishop Manogue boat raced Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) 49-14.
There were also a couple close contests. Spanish Springs came from down 13-6 at the half to steal a 26-20 win at Douglas, avenging last year’s regional quarterfinal loss in Minden. And Reno nearly saw a 28-7 lead slip in Sacramento to Sheldon, before hanging on 28-21.
To view how the power rankings have progressed this season, click here.
1. Damonte Ranch Mustangs (3-0)
There wasn’t much to take from Friday’s win over Hug.
Yes, it was impressive. It was also entirely expected.
The struggling Hawks have new faces at several key positions this year. The Mustangs are the defending regional champs and have a quarterback verbally committed to Notre Dame.
Last week: 1
2. Reed Raiders (3-0)
And that’s what was anticipated of the Raiders when the season started.
Reed’s offense was uncharacteristically sluggish in the first two games of the season, and quarterback Cam Emerson said the results were frustrating, but looked more like its high-powered self in Friday’s 35-0 rout of Carson. Ultimately, there was too much talent on that side of the ball for the struggles to persist.
Oh, and the defense has given up just one touchdown in the last eight quarters of football.
Last week: 2
3. Reno Huskies (3-0)
Reno made it more interesting than coach Dan Avansino would have preferred in Sacramento on Friday night as a 28-7 lead over Sheldon with less than five minutes left quickly shrunk to 28-21. The Northern Nevada squad ultimately hung on.
Reno’s defense has been so dominant early, that the two touchdowns it allowed in the waning minutes matched the total number of touchdowns it allowed in the first 11 quarters of the season combined.
Last week: 3
4. McQueen Lancers (2-0)
The Lancers were idle on Friday night, giving them an extra week to prepare for a Carson team that is struggling early.
The Senators have not scored a touchdown in their last nine quarters. Coach Blair Roman described his passing game as “in the infantile stages” after the loss at Reed.
A McQueen defense that’s proven stout early will be licking its chops in its third-straight home game to open the season.
Last week: 4
5. Bishop Manogue Miners (2-1)
Ernie Howren’s Miners turned in their second explosive offensive performance of the season on Saturday afternoon, routing Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.).
The outcome was hardly surprising (Manogue handled Henley last year in Oregon), but promising nonetheless for the Miner faithful that watched its offense struggle in a week 2 loss at McQueen.
Last week: 5
Outside looking in: Spanish Springs Cougars
Week 4 Schedule
Reed at Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
Carson at McQueen
Damonte Ranch at Spanish Springs
Galena at Reno
Bishop Manogue at Hug
Douglas at North Valleys
4A North Standings
High Desert League
Reed 3-0, 0-0
Reno 3-0, 0-0
McQueen 2-0, 0-0
Spanish Springs 2-1, 0-0
North Valleys 0-2, 0-0
Hug 0-3, 0-0
Sierra League
Damonte Ranch 3-0, 0-0
Bishop Manogue 2-1, 0-0
Galena 2-1, 0-0
Carson 1-2, 0-0
Douglas 0-3, 0-0
Week 3 Scores
Reed 35, Carson 0
Reno 28, Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) 21
Spanish Springs 26, Douglas 20
Galena 48, North Valleys 14
Damonte Ranch 55, Hug 0
Bishop Manogue 49, Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) 14
Week 2 Scores
Damonte Ranch 27, Edison (Fresno, Calif.) 26
McQueen 29, Bishop Manogue 13
Reno 19, Carson 0
Reed 34, Douglas 6
Galena 41, Hug 0
Spanish Springs 42, Foothill (Palo Cedro, Calif.) 7
Week 1 Scores
Reed 38, Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, Calif.) 22
Damonte Ranch 46, Northgate (Walnut Creek, Calif.) 16
McQueen 38, Lassen (Susanville, Calif.) 14
Reno 44, Stagg (Stockton, Calif.) 7
Carson 14, Lewiston (Lewiston, Idaho) 13
Bishop Manogue 60, North Valleys 13
Rocky Mountain (Meridian, Idaho) 43, Spanish Springs 0
Rigby (Rigby, Idaho) 56, Douglas 32
Highland (Pocatello, Idaho) 36, Galena 10
Fallon 19, Hug 14
Leave a Reply