To the Lovelock 12U football team it’s all about attitude and effort. That’s their motto. Coaches Lee Houston and Phillip Dickerman led a roster of 17 players through five regular season games, the playoffs and the championship match.
Lovelock’s season started in August with a win over Fernley (32-0). Lovelock added victories against Carson (18-12), Silver Springs (47-13), Fernley (41-13) and Douglas (42-33). They met up with Silver Springs for the playoffs and beat them again (55-13).
“At the beginning of the season Coach Dickerman and I had a lot to learn. We picked everyone’s brain to help the team succeed. There was no way we thought we’d go undefeated into the championship game for the Valley Division,” Houston said. “This is a tribute to every player on the team.”
The championship match took place in Carson City. Lovelock controlled the first half with a 7-0 lead at halftime. Carson scored early in the second half and it was back and forth from there.
“Both defenses were stingy all day. We had some huge plays taken away by penalties that were big momentum shifters,” Houston said.
The game went into double overtime. Both teams got the ball at the ten with four downs to score. Neither team scored in the first overtime. In the second overtime, Carson scored on the first possession.
“When we had the ball to tie it, they called us short on the fourth and goal. It was a game of inches,” Houston said.
The final score was 19-13, with the Mustangs trailing by six points.
“Coach Dickerman and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort the players poured into this game and year. Coach Dickerman did an amazing job working the players and showing them, he cared about them every step of the way,” Houston said. “Thanks to the parents for grinding out a long season. We asked a lot of them and they stepped up every time. The future of Mustang football looks bright.”
