51°F
weather icon Clear

Eagles stand tough against Western, win 29-13

Overcoming a pair of key injuries early Friday night, Boulder City High School football team was able to squeeze out a 29-13 victory against Western behind a physical style of football.

“Nothing pretty about our win Friday,” head coach Chris Morelli said. “We just played hard till the whistle was blown and did what we needed to do to get the job done.”

Losing senior two-way star Zach Trone on the opening kickoff, the Eagles also had to overcome the loss of junior running back Thorston Balmer, who was the team’s week one hero against Clark with 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Looking to unleash Balmer early, the junior powerback carried on the game’s first five plays, generating 52 yards on the ground before exiting the game with an undisclosed injury.

Junior dual-threat quarterback Shaun Jones made sure Balmer’s work didn’t go unfinished, capping off the game’s opening drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown.

“I feel the absence of two or three players won’t affect the outcome of our games this season,” Trone said. “The difference in this year’s squad is that we play as a team. I have faith that no matter who we put on the field, our guys are going to give 110 percent and do what it takes to win.”

Despite playing shorthanded without Balmer and Trone, who start both offensively and defensively, the Eagles were able to jump out to a 21-0 lead at halftime, taking advantage of great field position.

Scoring his second rushing touchdown, Jones put the Eagles ahead 14-0 with a goal-line plunge, followed by a 6-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Austin Langley to senior Briggs Huxford early in the second quarter.

The star of Friday’s game, Huxford also grabbed a pair of interceptions on defense, while making three tackles.

“Briggs had a great game Friday,” Morelli said. “He scored a touchdown for us and provided our defense with a few crucial stops. He anchored our defense.”

Helping a much-improved Eagles’ defensive unit, the junior tandem of linebacker Jimmy Dunagan (nine tackles) and defensive lineman Ryan Vanario (two tackles, two sacks) continue to impress their head coach.

“The backbone of our defense is made up by wrestlers who aren’t afraid to stick their head in there and get their hands dirty,” Morelli said. “Jimmy and Ryan stepping up and filling in key roles has been a big help so far.”

Playing the hero on offense as well, Dunagan silenced any momentum Western might have gained with a 13-0 third quarter run, putting the Eagles ahead permanently 29-13 with a 5-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

“Credit Dunagan for coming in and picking up the slack after Balmer got hurt,” Morelli said. “He was really big for our running game tonight.”

Dunagan finished the night with 62 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, behind an overpowering Eagles’ offensive line led by senior Cole Smyth and junior Mike Kaposta.

Jones added 31 yards and two scores on seven carries.

Looking for their first 3-0 start since 2012 when the Eagles started their season 6-0, Boulder City will host Needles at 7 p.m. Friday for their homecoming game. Hosting a doubleheader Friday, the Eagles freshman team will play at 4:30 p.m.

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.

Upcoming games

Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m. Homecoming parade

Friday, Sept. 8, vs. Needles, 4:30 p.m. junior varsity; 7 p.m. varsity

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Eagles grounded at homecoming

The scoreboard may have reflected a dreaded 44-8 loss to rival Moapa Valley on Oct. 3, but the optimism surrounding the Boulder City High School football team is much brighter heading into this week.

Girls golf ends season undefeated

Finishing the regular season with an undefeated record, Boulder City High School girls golf finished strong at Casablanca on Sept. 30.

BC seniors swim to victory

Competing at the Silver State Senior Games swim meet at Pavilion Pool in Las Vegas October 4-5, four members of Boulder City’s Masters swim team SONAR dominated the field.

Runners look toward postseason

Competing at the CSN Invitational at Floyd Lamb Park on Oct. 3, Aiden MacPherson and Caleb Wolfe finished fourth and fifth respectively out of 121 runners.

Tennis teams look toward postseason

Clinching regular-season league titles, both Boulder City High School programs defeated Adelson on Sept. 30.

Lady Eagles volleyball goes 3-4 in Las Vegas tournament

Facing strong competition in the Del Sol tournament on Sept. 26-27, Boulder City High School girls volleyball advanced to 11-14 on the season.

Eagles win third game in a row

Starting off league play strong, Boulder City High School defeated Democracy Prep 30-14 on Sept. 26.

Eagles win in OT on the road

Defying the odds, Boulder City High School football escaped an overtime thriller with 4A Eldorado on Sept. 19, winning 26-20.

Sports Roundup: Hinds continues to pace golf team

Remaining undefeated on the season, Boulder City High School girls golf won their league match at Coyote Springs on Sept. 15.

Volleyball looks to move closer to .500

The BCHS girls volleyball team advanced to 7-9 on the season after defeatimg rival Pahrump Valley 3-1 on Sept. 17.