If there was any thought of the Battle Mountain football team overlooking Incline and toward its opening-round playoff game, that was quickly answered with the opening kickoff on Thursday night in Battle Mountain.
Aldo Castellanos returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown and Nestor Miramontes added the extra point and the rout was on from there.
The game turned to a running clock in the third quarter, as the Longhorns ran away with a 49-0 victory to finish second in the Northern 2A at 7-1.
“The kids played well tonight,” said BMHS coach Mitch Domagala. “Our defense was lights out as they kept taking the ball away from Incline.”
The Battle Mountain defense held Incline to a three-and-out on its first series and the Longhorns quickly answered. Battle Mountain put together a five-play drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Kade Quintana. Miramontes added the extra point for a 14-0 lead.
Incline punted on its next drive and Battle Mountain had a good drive going, mixing the run and pass. However, Incline intercepted a pass from D.J. Martinez to end the drive.
The Highlanders’ momentum did not last long, as on the second play of Incline's next possession, Daimean Diaz returned the favor by intercepting an Incline pass and returning it 17 yards to the Highlander 37-yard line.
D.J. Martinez made the visitors pay when he connected with Castellanos for a 24-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 advantage after Miramontes’ extra point.
Incline was held to another three-and-out, but Battle Mountain gave the ball back on its first play with a fumble at the Incline 43-yard line. The Battle Mountain defense rose up and once again held Incline to yet another three- and-out.
The Longhorns took over a their own 15-yard line and on the first play, Cody Ostler broke loose for an 85-yard touchdown run and 28-0 lead. That would also be the halftime score.
Incline showed some signs of life with the kickoff to start the second half, but couldn't fool the Battle Mountain defense with a fake field goal and the Longhorns took over at their own 33-yard line.
Once again, Martinez made the visitors pay as he hit Roy Chavira for a 67-yard touchdown pass. Miramontes’ extra point made the score 35-0 and started the running clock.
Things just kept getting worse for the Highlanders as the second half went on. On first down, Jose Guizar intercepted the Incline pass at its 41-yard line. Moments later, Castellanos hit the end zone after a 41 yard touchdown run for a 42-0 lead.
On its next possession, Incline’s quarterback was intercepted by Chavira who returned it 80 yards for his second touchdown of the night.
Incline continued fighting but its pass on the final play of the game was intercepted by Terrance Fetterly.
“Offensively we were quick strike tonight,” Domagala said. “We scored fast with different kids.”
The 2A League Playoffs get underway this weekend and Battle Mountain will host Yerington on Friday at 6 p.m. This is an NIAA event and booster cards can’t be used.
If Battle Mountain wins, it will travel to Southern Nevada on Saturday, Nov. 10, and will likely play Needles, Calif. The two reams met in the state semifinals last year, with Battle Mountain winning.
Pershing County hosts North Tahoe in the other Northern 2A game. The Mustangs will likely play Lincoln County on Saturday, Nov. 10, in Lovelock.
The NIAA 2A State Championship is set for Saturday, Nov. 17, in Las Vegas. However, if there are two Northern 2A schools in the game, it will be played at a site in Northern Nevada,
“Now we need to get ready for the playoffs,” Domagala said. “Nothing better than November football.”
