Lowry's Jesse Jeronimo fights for extra yards during the Buckaroos Northern 3A first-round playoff game against Churchill County on Thursday in Fallon.
For the second time in a week, the Greenwave broke 40 points and the defense kept Lowry to a pair of touchdowns as Fallon took a 48-14 Northern 3A football win Friday night at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex.
The Greenwave (7-3 overall and 5-2 league) took the first-round playoff win against Lowry (3-7, 2-5).
Lowry’s defense stopped Fallon in the first quarter by shutting out the Greenwave, only the second team to do so this season in league play. Elko blanked the Wave in their Oct. 13 game and then held off Fallon 13-8. Fallon misfired four times deep in Elko territory.
Yet, the Wave outrushed Lowry 237 yards to 223 and also in passing, 217 to 112.
Fallon coach Brooke Hill said Lowry made some adjustments at the beginning of the game from their previous game.
“Defensively, we had to make adjustments and get Rolland (Fallon’s leading rusher) going,” Hill added.
Fallon rolled on land and in the air to take the lead and add to it in the second quarter. Grondin rushed for three touchdowns, and Ethan Tarner had one of his best games of the season on offense by snagging three passes for touchdowns to go along with his rushing touchdown.
Fallon, though, pounded the turf for its first score. Grondin barreled in from 5 yards and then cut through the Lowry defense for his second score.
Grondin, who rushed for 133 yards on 13 carries, sliced through the Lowry defense in Fallon’s first score.
Hill, though, felt the special teams gave up too much yardage to Lowry especially on the kickoffs.
Lowry, though, rolled a lucky seven to tie the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Lowry’s Anthony Guzman returned the ball to set up the Buckaroos for their touchdown. The Buckaroos rode on the legs of running back Jesse Jeronimo to move into Greenwave territory.
On a first and 10 from the 21-yard line, Jeronimo broke free on the far side near the Lowry bench and outraced the Wave defense to the end zone. Rigoberto Esquivel’s extra-point kick tied the game.
Jeronimo also scored Lowry’s second touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run. He led all rushers with seven carries for 163 yards.
Undaunted, the Wave then scored unanswered 41 points to put the game out of reach going into the fourth quarter. Fallon broke the tie with 5:54 remaining before halftime.
Greenwave quarterback Bryce Adams threaded the ball to Carter Paul for a 32-yard gain and on the next down, he completed a 13-yard pass to Tarner.
The defense shut down Lowry in the Buckaroos next series. Fallon linebacker Caden Mcknight, who forced Lowry to cough up two fumbles last week, intercepted a pass from Lowry quarterback Joseph Vankuiken.
The Wave was back in business. In five plays beginning at the Lowry 19, Adams completed the short drive with a 14-yard pass Tarner, who was left alone by the Buckaroos secondary.