MCDERMITT — After playing its first two games on the road, the McDermitt High School football team was ready to put on a show for its home crowd. The Bulldogs did just that, routing Owyhee 46-6 on Saturday afternoon in front of a loud Homecoming crowd.
“It was a nice day for us,” said MHS coach Richard Egan. “I felt we played well and it was good for the kids to get a win. I thought our defense did a good job. We got in their backfield and that is what we have wanted to do all year.”
The Bulldogs got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but settled down and dominated the action from there. McDermitt had two fumbled snaps on it opening possession and was forced to punt. The Bulldogs quickly got the ball back and turned it into eight points. Duane Horse and Jagger Hinkey had long runs on the drive and McDermitt converted a fourth down to keep possession. Hinkey capped off the 42-yard drive with a 2-yard run and McDermitt converted the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Owyhee had an opportunity to tie the game moments later but dropped a wide open pass in the middle of the field and its offense struggled from there.
McDermitt’s only miscue was a fumble in Owyhee territory late in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs proved to be unstoppable from there.
After Cauy Crutcher blocked a punt in the second quarter, McDermitt was back in the end zone three plays later on a 4-yard run by Hinkey. Jace Ramsey recovered a blocked punt on Owyhee next drive and two plays later, Horse scored on a 5-yard run.
The Bulldogs blocked yet another Braves punt and was back in the end zone on a 1-yard run by Crutcher for a 30-0 lead with 2:39 left in the first half.
McDermitt was able to get the ball back in the final moments of the first half and added to its lead, when Crutcher scored on a 34-yard run with 1:13 to go. McDermitt took a 38-0 advantage into halftime.
“We made a couple little mistakes at the beginning, but settled down,” Egan said. “I thought our offensive line did a good job of blocking and are backs were able to find holes. I was shocked on how Owyhee came out and set up against us. I watched them a couple weeks ago and they were a entirely different team. I thought we would be evenly matched.”
The second half was played with a running clock and McDermitt scored the first time they touched the ball in the third quarter on a 68-yard pass from Crutcher to Hinkey to make the score 46-0. Those were the only points for the Bulldogs in the quick second half.
Owyhee prevented the shutout with a 57-yard touchdown pass with 9:43 left in the fourth quarter.
“It was a good chance to get some of our younger players in the game,” Egan said. “We need to build off this win and fine tune some things.”
McDermitt is back home Saturday to take on North Tahoe in a non-conference game at noon.
“The games from here on out are not going to be easy for us,” Egan said. “We have four tough games left to go, starting with North Tahoe.”
