Tigers tripped up by turnovers, fall to Seneca, 35-12

Saturday, September 8, 2018

The storyline for the Nevada Tigers in week three was much the same as it had been in weeks one and two — critical turnovers culminating in a rain soaked 35-12 defeat Friday night at Big 8 Conference foe Seneca Indians.

The first quarter featured both teams turning the ball over on downs multiple times. Seneca pieced together the game’s first scoring drive late in the first quarter, with Big 8 First-Team All-Conference tailback Trey Wilson breaking off a 13-yard run to the Nevada 1-yard line on the final play of a fast-moving first quarter.

The second frame opened with Wilson plunging over the right guard to paydirt, and with the extra point Seneca led 7-0.

Near the midpoint of the second quarter Nevada quarterback Ty Thomas, making his varsity debut at the position, connected with senior tailback Jaren Powrie on a swing pass. Powrie eluded several would-be tacklers and rumbled 76-yards to the endzone.

Thomas’ pass to tight end Trey Beachler was off-target on the two-point attempt, and Nevada trailed 7-6 with 7:53 remaining in the first half.

The Tigers then held defensively, but fumbled deep in their own territory. Three plays later Wilson burst through the middle from the five for his second rushing touchdown, with the extra point putting the Indians on top, 14-6.

Things continued to unravel for the Tigers, as a half-back option pass was picked off and returned deep into Nevada territory.

Seneca (1-2) wasted little time cashing in on the miscue, as Alex Cook scampered 21-yards for the score, with the extra point giving the Indians a 21-6 advantage.

Disaster was averted after another Nevada turnover on the ensuing possession, as free safety Tanner Gotschall picked off Seneca quarterback Gavin Clouse at the 1-yard-line.

Nevada was unable to generate any offense after the turnover, and Seneca received the ball back late in the half with excellent field position.

A screen pass from Clouse to Wilson resulted in a 35-yard pickup to the three-yard line. Wilson then scored untouched, as Seneca’s advantage swelled to 28-6 with 1:35 left in the half.

The score held until early in the fourth quarter, when a Thomas fumble on a snap exchange had Seneca back in business at the Tiger 16-yard-line.

A Dillon Myers’ 13-yard run was followed by a Clouse touchdown pass to Daython Long, as the junior tight end was left wide-open in the left flat. The extra point extended Seneca’s lead to 35-6 with 8:21 remaining in regulation.

On the ensuing possession a quick-strike pass from Thomas to tight end Beachler resulted in an 83-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt failed, accounting for the final 35-12 margin.

The loss drops Nevada to 0-3 overall, and 0-1 in the Big 8 West division.

“It’s a 7-6 ball-game in the (first) half, like you talked about (Mike), the second quarter didn’t go very well,” said Nevada head coach Wes Beachler during his postgame radio interview with KNEM-KNMO’s Mike Harbit.

“But you know, adversity happens in football,” continued Beachler. “And we got a lot of young guys at key positions, and I just appreciate the way they fought.”

Beachler said he was pleased with Thomas’ varsity debut at quarterback, as the sophomore signal-caller threw for 167 and a pair of touchdowns.

“Ty threw a nice ball on the sweep-pass,” said Beachler, referring to Powrie’s 76-yard touchdown reception. “And then Trey hit the seam, and Ty hit him on dead-stride (an 83-yard TD). Those are things we can build off of.”

Continued Beachler on the postgame radio show: “We put in a few run plays for Ty, and had a hard time getting those going. He runs tough, very elusive. He sees the field well, and some kids don’t do that. They’ll get into space and run right into the back of a lineman, or run right into a tackler. But Ty does a good job of sticking his foot in the ground and making people miss. I thought he looked good, had a solid night.”

Beachler said Thomas brings an added dimension of toughness to the QB position.

“He doesn’t tip-toe to the line of scrimmage and worry about getting hit, he runs tough, and I appreciate that,” explained Beachler. “We were unsure of how he would (fare) as a passer, that’s definitely not his strength, but he threw a couple good balls tonight and it’s something to build on for next week, and keep progressing.”

Concluded Beachler: “I’m so proud of our kids and the heart that they displayed.”

In other action, the Nevada Middle School football program opened its 2018 campaign Thursday night at Logan Field, splitting its seventh and eighth-grade matchups with visiting Seneca. The Nevada eighth-grade defensive unit forced four turnovers, sparking the Tigers to a 22-6 triumph.

“The offense dominated the line of scrimmage, running Coach Beachler’s vaunted shotgun wing scheme,” said middle school head coach Toby Thorp. Meanwhile, the seventh-grade Tigers fell 28-14, in a game that wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter.

Up next

Homecoming Night, as the Tigers return to Logan Field Sept. 14 for a Big 8 West Division match-up with East Newton High School. East Newton has opened the season 0-3, having been outscored 106-8.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: