The Battle Mountain High School football team found itself in an unusual spot on Friday night during its home game with American Falls, Idaho.
The Longhorns trailed in a game for the first since its season opener at Lincoln County in August.
The Beavers drove down the field on their opening drive of the night for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead but that was all the excitement the night featured.
The Battle Mountain offense stumbled at the start with an interception on its first drive and the Longhorns second possession stalled out on downs a the Beavers’ 35-yard line.
Battle Mountain took advantage of an American Falls turnover in the second quarter to tie the game at 6-6. After a Beavers fumble, Cody Ostler scored on a 27-yard run. The Longhorns missed the extra point and the contest remained at 6-6 at halftime.
The Longhorns used the legs of Ostler in the third quarter to take their first lead of the night. After a long run to start the drive, Ostler scored on an 18-yard run and DJ Martinez added the 2-point conversion to Battle Mountain in front 14-6.
The Battle Mountain defense stepped up from there, forcing American Falls to turn the ball over on its next possession. Moments later, Ostler scored on a 29-yard run and Nestor Miramontes added the extra point for a 21-6 advantage.
American Falls answered with a strong kick return and was in Battle Mountain territory but fumbled on its third play from scrimmage to give the ball back to Battle Mountain.
Later in the third quarter and after another Beavers’ turnover, the Longhorns extended the lead to 28-6 on a 14-yard run by Ostler. Battle Mountain outscored American Falls 22-0 in the third quarter and scored 25 straight points at one time.
The Longhorns wrapped up their scoring early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Martinez to Marcus Jury.
American Falls was able to add two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter to account for the final score.
“We played real good tonight,” said BMHS coach Mitch Domagala. “Our offensive line gave time to throw and opened huge holes. Once we settled down on offense and we took control of the game.”
Martinez was 7-of-17 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown. Jury had three catches for 63 yards and a touchdown and Ostler had four catches for 42 yards.
“DJ is maturing at the quarterback position and his receivers made some great catches,” Domagala said. “Marcus had an awesome game on both sides of the ball.”
Ostler was the workhorse on the ground once again with 165 yards rushing on 19 carries and four touchdowns. Roy Chavira added 20 yards rushing on two carries.
“Defensively we were dialed in tonight,” added the coach. “I thought our linebackers (Jace Clark, Cody Ostler, Roy Chavira, Michael Malone and Erik Martinez) did a great job of shutting down the power run game.”
Battle Mountain (5-1 overall, 4-0 Northern 2A) is back on the road Saturday to play North Tahoe at 1 p.m.
The Longhorns return home on Friday, Oct. 5, to take on Yerington at 7 p.m. in a crucial Northern 2A contest.
