Tigers falter in conference loss to Warriors

Nevada Daily Mail

In a West Central Conference clash Friday night at Logan Field, the Nevada Tigers were roughed up by the St. Pius X Warriors, losing 48-13. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 0-3 on the season.

On the Warriors opening drive, senior quarterback Marshall Mason play-faked and scrambled to the right, then found tight end Tommy Geisinger for a 38 yard pickup.

Later in the drive, operating from the Nevada 4-yard line, Mason was stripped while attempting to bulldoze his way into the end zone on a quarterback keeper. However, Warriors wide receiver Sam Martino was Johnny on the spot, falling on the ball in the end zone, to put St. Pius X on top 6-0.

On his first pass attempt of the game Tigers quarterback Andrew Heathman was intercepted by Warrior linebacker Chris Chaszar, at the Nevada 35-yard line.

St. Pius X quickly took advantage of the turnover as running back Nicholas Kelliher chewed up 18-yards on the ground on two runs. Facing a fourth and 2 from the Nevada 15-yard line, Mason again found Geisinger, this time for a 7-yard gain and a fresh set of downs. On third down from the 1-yard line, Kelliher punched the ball into the end zone.

The extra point put St. Pius X up 13-0 with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter.

After going four and out, the Warriors took back over at midfield. On the first play of the second quarter running back Ryan Vutich picked up 24-yards on the ground. Kelliher then finished off the three-play drive, with back-to-back runs of 15 and 11 yards. The rushing touchdown and extra point gave the Warriors a 20-0 lead.

Senior running back Taylor Manes kept Nevada in the game with a 58-yard touchdown dash down the left sideline. Chase Beisley's successful extra point made the score 20-7 with 10:12 remaining in the first half.

Back on offense, Mason continued to burn the Nevada secondary on play-action passes. Mason first found Gabe Akalugwu for a 28-yard strike down to the Nevada 38-yard line. Keeping the pedal to the metal, Mason then hit Vutich, who ran a post pattern, for a 28-yard touchdown strike. Nevada now trailed 27-7.

After another Tigers four and out, Mason came right back with another play-action pass, this time locating wide out Caleb Kizzire for a 21 yard pickup down to the Nevada 20-yard line. On first and goal from the 10-yard line, Mason on yet another play-fake, rolled out of the pocket and threw high to Geisinger, who made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone. The Warriors now led 34-7.

With time winding down in the first half, Nevada's most explosive offensive player, running back Chaden Brandt, ripped off a 75-yard run, before finally being brought down by a shoestring tackle just short of the goal line.

Three plays later Manes would find pay dirt, scoring from two yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Nevada trailed at halftime 34-13.

After lightning briefly delayed the game, and with heavy rain falling, Manes fumbled on the Tigers opening possession of the second half. The ball caromed into the hands of Kelliher, who also plays linebacker.

Kelliher then rumbled 35 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, ballooning the Warriors lead to 41-13.

After getting the ball back, Heathman was intercepted by Martino, who was finally brought down at the Nevada 34-yard line.

On the ensuing Warriors possession, Manes would return the favor, picking off Mason.

With just over two minutes to play in the third quarter, Nevada defensive back Colton McDowell returned a blocked punt to the Warriors 19-yard line.

It appeared as though the Tigers quickly cashed in on the blocked punt return, after Manes took a hand-off and bounced to the outside for a 19-yard touchdown. However, a holding call nullified the touchdown. Disaster would strike on the next play from scrimmage, as Brandt fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the defense.

The Warriors added to the lead when Mason swept to the right side for a 1-yard touchdown plunge, with 7:45 remaining in the game, handing St. Pius X a 48-13 advantage.

Despite trailing big throughout the second half, Nevada continued to stick with their ground attack, rather than airing the ball out.

Yoakam said the team needs to work on better execution.

"And being able to finish things," he said. "Finish drives, finish on defense. On third and three, just being able to knock them out and get the ball back."

Nevada plays host to conference opponent Kansas City O'Hara next week, with the game starting at 7 p.m.