WINNEMUCCA - When the Nevada Interscholastic Activities cancelled all outdoor events for Washoe, Carson, Lyon, Storey and Churchill counties last Thursday, it sent teams in to scramble mode in western Nevada.
The Rim Fire burning in California has sent unhealthy amounts of smoke into northern Nevada, forcing athletes that participate in outdoor sports to practice inside.
A handful of football games were canceled, but others were moved to other areas in the state. With Lowry High School playing on Thursday against Battle Mountain, which is a day earlier than normal, it left Jerry Tobin Field free for two days.
Four Reno high schools took advantage of that scenario and they traveled to Winnemucca on Friday and Saturday. In what may have been the best game of the entire weekend, Reno held off Douglas in the final seconds on Friday night to beat the Tigers 28-21. Douglas had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but Reno's Jeremy Smith sealed the victory with an interception on the final play of the game.
Winnemucca is becoming a familiar spot for Reno, who made the trip just a week earlier to play in a scrimmage against Lowry and Elko.
The action wasn't as dramatic on Saturday afternoon as Damonte Ranch and North Valleys played in temperatures that reached 95 degrees in Winnemucca. Damonte Ranch, located in the southern part of Reno, jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and eventually won 49-0.
There was a possibility of hosting a third Division I game in Winnemucca, but Spanish Springs could not get a team to travel. The Cougars were scheduled to play Bishop Manogue.
A handful of other games were moved as well, with Dayton and Pershing County switching sites for their Friday matchup. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Dayton. Virginia City moved its Division IV game to Eureka and Reed and McQueen moved home games to California.
If the smoky conditions do not improve this week, there are plans to host the Sparks and Elko game this weekend. The matchup is set to take place in Sparks.[[In-content Ad]]
