After enjoying my summer of bliss, reality has set in as the first week of school is now all but done and I will see my house at the beginning of June. OK I am exaggerating, but not really.
The adventure began yesterday with a short jaunt to north Reno to cover the Lowry High School freshmen and varsity football games at North Valleys High School.
It is a different opener than the Buckaroos have had in the past playing against Battle Mountain. It was good for both teams to play with how close the schools are, but sometimes you just have to go in another direction on both sides.
After driving back home from Reno on Thursday night - and who doesn't like a midnight stroll through the Nevada desert in August? - it will be on to Battle Mountain as they host Lincoln County tonight. The Lynx have been one of the stronger teams in the Division III South over the past decade and it will be a good chance for the Longhorns to test the waters in the Division III South.
The beginning of 2014 will not be as crazy as it was a season ago. Fires in California caused havoc and scheduling issues for the NIAA in the western counties of Nevada. A number of games were canceled or moved due to heavy smoke. Two Division I games were moved to Winnemucca, creating a set of four games in three days at Jerry Tobin Field. So you will not see Damonte Ranch, Douglas or Reno. However, I think Reno wouldn't mind playing in Winnemucca. The Huskies make the trip east every August for a scrimmage with Lowry and Elko and always have good things to say about the visit.
One of those games that were moved a year ago was Dayton against Pershing County. The contest was supposed to be played on the Dust Devils' home field but that didn't happen. The Mustangs will head to Dayton tonight to repay the favor. It should be a good test for Pershing County, which will have a young squad.
In the past couple of years it would have been nearly impossible for me to be in three places at one time, even though some probably wanted that out of me. As far as I know they haven't perfected cloning, so that isn't going to happen. Sorry.
I have that covered now that R.M. Contreras has joined the staff as a writer. He will primarily cover Pershing County High School sports, but will occasionally cover some local news in Winnemucca.
There is no State Farm Invitational this year, so I get a little bit of a break in the opening weekend, but I will hop right back in the car on Tuesday for the McDermitt volleyball home opener against Crane, Ore.
As much as I can drive Interstate 80 and US 95 in my sleep, trust me, four trips to Las Vegas in eight months will do that to you. Right now I am all about inventing time travel so I can step through and be at the event in seconds. Just think, no eight-hour trip in the car down a desolate Nevada desert road. Just remember this is my idea and no one else can copy it.
The adventure has begun with my 13th year writing sports and 20th overall with Winnemucca Publishing and I realize I have been in the same place for half my life. Yes, I will be 40 in three weeks and I am not ready for that to happen. People have told me it's just a number but I have not come to terms with that fact yet. However, I will go along for the ride and see where it takes me. I figure I have a few good years left.
Here is nod to another successful year in sports in northern Nevada and I will see you down the road.
Tony Erquiaga can be reached via email at t.erquiaga@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
