The Battle Mountain High School football team shook off its first loss of the season in a big way with a 50-6 victory over North Tahoe on Friday as part of homecoming in Battle Mountain.
The Longhorns put 43 points on the scoreboard in the first half to improve to 5-0 in the Northern 2A and 5-1 overall.
“We had a pretty good night and the kids bounced back from that loss,” said BMHS coach Mitch Domagala. “The offensive line set the tone for the night and set it right away. They made some adjustments right away and opened up some big holes.”
Battle Mountain has show its quick-strike ability on offense all season and Friday night was no different. Aldo Castellanos took a run-pass-option by himself for a 71-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game and the route was on from there.
“We have had that big-play ability all year,” added the coach. “When we needed to, we grinded drives out. We didn’t throw a lot tonight because we really didn’t need to.”
After a turnover on their next possession, the Longhorns rebounded with a short 29-yard drive to lead 16-0 after a 10-yard pass from Castellanos to Cody Ostler.
North Tahoe used a long run to get deep inside Battle Mountain territory late in the first quarter, but the drive ended on downs. Lightning struck once again for Battle Mountain on offense, as Ostler galloped 76 yards on the next to play to put the Longhorns up 22-0 after the missed extra point.
After turning the ball over on downs early in the second quarter, Battle Mountain added to its lead when it got the ball back, as Ostler broke free for a 74-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive.
North Tahoe fumbled the ensuing kickoff and two plays later, Castellanos connected with Ostler on a 16-yard screen pass for a 36-0 lead with 9:50 left in the first half.
Terrance Fetterly intercepted a North Tahoe pass on the Lakers’ next drive and that turned into a 3-yard run by Ostler and a 43-0 advantage. Castellanos added Battle Mountain’s last points on a 38-yard run with three minutes left in the third quarter.
North Tahoe prevented the shutout with a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“We need to clean up a few things,” Domagala said. “That touchdown is what it is. It was late in the game and the mental focus is gone by then.”
Castellanos was 3-of-10 passing, two touchdowns and one interception. Ostler caught two passes for 26 yards and two touchdowns and the senior ran for 177 yards on just carries and three touchdowns. Castellanos ran for 159 yards on six carries.
Brice Domagala had one catch for three yards and Jose Guizar ran for 31 yards on seven carries. Battle Mountain had 356 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Battle Mountain is tied with Yerington for first in the Northern 2A at 5-0 and the two rivals will meet in Yerington on Friday at 7 p.m.
Pershing County is third at 4-1 and Incline and Coral Academy are tied for fourth at 3-2. The top four teams advance to the regional playoffs.
“This is why you play football,” Domagala. “The season starts now and we got three big ones coming up, starting with Yerington. You know Yerington will be ready to go and it will be a fun one. We have come to practice on Monday and be ready to go.”
