Many spectators expected a one-sided victory for the Pershing County High School football team against North Tahoe.
They were in for a surprise. The Mustangs traveled to Tahoe City on Saturday and beat the Lakers 28-20.
"We were able to secure the victory but shot ourselves in the foot many times. It definitely was not our best performance but credit to North Tahoe for playing a great game," coach Mike Brooks said.
With the win, Pershing County improves to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northern 2A.
In the first quarter, the Lakers ran in a touchdown on a pass play.
However, before the half, Noel Zaldivar rushed for 13 yards, tying the game at six. A good kick put the Mustangs on top by two points.
Sophomore quarterback Travis Donaldon extended the Mustangs' lead with a 6-yard rush to the end zone but North Tahoe answered. The Lakers cut Pershing County's lead to two points at the half 14-12.
In the third quarter, Zaldivar intercepted a North Tahoe pass. Sophomore running back Luis Sanchez scored for the Mustangs.
But North Tahoe rushed for 67-yards at the 8:41 mark.
A fourth-quarter touchdown from Donaldson and a 2-point conversion set the score at 28-20.
North Tahoe came within a score and a good kick of winning its homecoming day game.
The coach said Donaldson, Sanchez and Jacob Burke did a good job on offense. Defensively, Brian Kauvaka continues to shine. Izayuh McGlothin played well on both sides of the ball.
Pershing County is off this week. Pershing County hosts West Wendover (0-4) on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
Battle Mountain leads the Northern 2A at 3-0 and travels to Yerington on Friday. The Mustangs are third in the league at 2-1.
