Last week, Sparks took a 27-7 lead over Truckee early in third quarter. Truckee scored the final 21 points and stole a 28-27 win. On Friday night, Sparks took another comfortable lead, 31-0, early in the third quarter at home against Lowry. A second-straight let down wasn’t in the works. Sparks kept its foot on the gas and improved to 3-5, 2-5 in the DI-A North with a … [Read more...]
Fallon handles Sparks, 48-0
By Michael Sciandra, Lahontan Valley News Sports Editor Sparks wasn't a match at Fallon on Friday night. And it showed early. Connor Nelson took the opening kickoff 90 yards and it was all Greenwave the rest of the way. Fallon scored 48 first-half points and turned it down in the second half to remain perfect in DI-A North play at 6-1, 6-0 with a 48-0 rout. Sparks … [Read more...]
Blocked PAT costs Sparks in 28-27 loss to Truckee
Nick Van Patten caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Sylis Sanchez to give Sparks a 27-7 lead over Truckee, two minutes into the second half, Friday night at home. The ensuing PAT proved to be the play of the night. The kick was blocked. Truckee went on to outscore Sparks 21-0 over the final 22 minutes, handing the Railroaders a devastating 28-27 home loss. The … [Read more...]
Big plays doom Sparks in home loss to Fernley
Sparks junior running back Nick Van Patten took Sparks’ first play of the second quarter 49 yards to the house, briefly tying the Railroaders with Fernley at 14 Friday night. A holding call took the touchdown off the board. Sparks punted three plays later. It was all Fernley from that point on as the Railroaders were outscored 26-0 over the final 35 minutes in a 40-7 home … [Read more...]
Sparks smacks Lovelock, 42-12
By Kaleb Roedel Early in the first quarter, on the Railroader’s second play from scrimmage, Nick Van Patten sliced through a hole and juked his way to a 21-yard gain. It was sign of things to come. Flashing a quick first step and breakaway speed from his first touch to this last, Van Patten racked up a staggering 254 total yards and four touchdowns to steer the … [Read more...]
Sparks shut out by Elko in home opener
By Kiley Diesner, reporting intern The Railroaders fell 30-0 to Elko on Friday night in their home opener. It was a huge contrast to the team’s 48-0 win over Dayton in the previous week. Elko scored twice in the first quarter, once in the second, another in the third and a final time in the fourth quarter along with a field goal. Elko senior quarterback Alex Puentes ran … [Read more...]
Sparks waxes Dayton on the road
By Kaleb Roedel DAYTON -- After opening the season on the wrong foot, stumbling to a 48-13 loss to Spring Creek, Sparks football coach Robb Kittrell said the coaching staff would “make sure everyone got pointed in the right direction.” Consider the Railroaders on the right track. Fueled by an offense that erupted for 400 yards and a defense that allowed a mere 51, … [Read more...]
Sparks thumped 47-13 at Spring Creek
By Kaleb Roedel SPRING CREEK -- Going for it on fourth-and-six on its opening drive, the Sparks football team, planted inside Spring Creek’s 10-yard line, was seeking a tone-setting first down or, even better, touchdown. One snap later, the tone was set -- just not in the Railroaders’ favor. Spring Creek stuffed Sparks at the 2-yard line -- half a yard shy of the … [Read more...]