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Reeds Spring strikes early, stuns Nevada in Class 3 district playoff loss, 51-14
REEDS SPRING — A 28-point first quarter deficit proved too much for the Nevada Tigers to overcome in Friday night’s 51-14 Class 3 District 6 playoff loss to the Reeds Spring Wolves.
Seventh-seeded Nevada (1-9) moved the ball deep into Reeds Spring territory on its opening drive, but was undone by a critical holding penalty, eventually turning it over on downs.
The Wolves’ opening drive featured a heavy dose of Blake Gronvold, as the senior signal-caller chewed up major yardage on the ground. The scoring drive was capped by fullback Seth Stamps’ 30-yard touchdown scamper. A Gronvold quarterback keeper on the two-point play put Reeds Spring on top 8-0 midway through the first.
After a three-and-out on Nevada’s second offensive series Stamps fielded a rolling Matt Thorp punt, reversed field against the grain, and darted 73-yards to paydirt. The score remained 14-0 after Gronvold’s pass fell incomplete on the two-point attempt.
On the ensuing kickoff Nevada coughed the ball up after the kick returner collided with a teammate. Quickly back in possession, Reeds Spring needed just one play from scrimmage as Gronvold connected with J.T. Bayliff for a 24-yard touchdown strike. After punching in the two-point attempt Reeds Spring led 22-0 with 4:49 remaining in the opening frame.
Reeds Spring tacked on its fourth touchdown of the opening quarter as Bayliff bolted into the end zone from 10-yards out on a counter-trap play, handing the Wolves a 28-0 advantage.
In addition to the special teams turnover, Nevada was whistled for five first quarter penalties resulting in negative 40 yards.
With just over six minutes remaining in the half Class 3 All-State linebacker, and backup fullback, Ben Moler, barreled in from a yard out. Gronvold’s completion on the two-point play put the Wolves up, 36-0.
Nevada moved the ball downfield late in the half, and on fourth-and-goal from the 1 senior tailback Jaren Powrie bounced to the outside and lunged to the pylon. Thorp’s extra-point boot trimmed the deficit to 36-7 with 1:48 left in the first half.
Reeds Spring (7-3) opening drive of the second half was punctuated by Stamps’ third touchdown of the night, as he went virtually untouched on a 20-yard romp up the middle. Gronvold punched in the two-point play, with the Wolves seizing a 44-7 lead.
Early in the fourth Wolves backup QB Sean Gross plowed in from a yard out, capping Reeds Spring’s seventh scoring drive of the evening. The extra point swelled the Wolves’ advantage to 51-7.
With time winding down in the fourth Powrie, who spent time at quarterback and running back Friday night, again converted on fourth-and-goal from the 1, bulldozing his way to paydirt.
After the contest Nevada head coach Wes Beachler said his squad came out flat, but added that he was pleased with the way they finished.
“I’m just proud of the way they fought down the stretch, as hard as they played, and I appreciate that,” said the veteran head coach during his postgame radio interview.
Nevada was without starting tackle and defensive end Caleb Longobardi, and had several other starters banged up.
“We had four or five playing with injuries tonight,” noted Beachler. “It’s just one of those years, and it’s tough to explain it. (Running back) Kaden Denney goes out tonight during the game, so it’s just been a frustrating year as far as injuries go.”
Added Beachler: “‘Team’ comes first. And I’m proud of our kids for putting the team first.”
Beachler noted that he was impressed with several players who were thrust into different roles this season.
“I just appreciate the kids that understand it’s about Nevada football, and their needs come secondary to that,” explained Beachler. “So that’s good to see, that we have people these days being selfless and doing what’s best for the team. I just appreciate our kids, as hard as they played, and just wish we would have a better season for these seniors to go out on.”
Beachler discussed the future of the Nevada football program, adding that increasing numbers will be a top priority moving forward.
“It’s obviously going to be a point of emphasis — but we just have to have more kids playing and less kids talking,” said Beachler. “You can criticize a football program, you can talk about how you’re going to come out, but until you show up and do something to help us out — you’re just talking.”
Concluded Beachler: “So we’ve got to get more kids out of the hallways, and willing to sacrifice and put team first. It gets tougher and tougher every year. I know that there’s a lot of coaches in our school that are a little bit nervous about the numbers and (kids) coming out. And (I’m) not sure what the problem is, because that wasn’t an issue four or five years ago here. So we’ve got to figure out what the problem is, and get those kids back out of the hallways and playing sports. And hopefully we can work to do that.”