Published in The High Desert Advocate October 4th, 2018 Edition.
Contributed by Bill Rozak
After a long drive by bus from one side of the state to the other side, from Wendover all the way to Lake Tahoe, the Wolverines worked hard and scored. Incline really tried to overcome Wendover big score by making 24 points in the last quarter, but the distance was too big to cover.
Wendover’s first three touchdowns came on trick plays, including two hook-and ladder/laterals, one each on the first drives of each half.
The Wolverines (2-3, 2-2 Northern) held on to win 39-30 and send the Highlanders (2-4, 1-4 Northern) to their fourth consecutive 2A Northern League loss.
After the Wolverines got a 7-0 lead they never surrendered.
The extra point was blocked.
Wendover answered and scored using a half back pass. The quarterback took the snap and tossed it to the running back who lingered in the pocket. He scanned the field and threw a nine-yard dart to make it 13-6 going into halftime.
The Wolverines opened the second half with the ball and sucked the life out of Highlanders Stadium.
That hook and lateral worked again. They executed it perfectly, and it worked as designed. Touchdown. 19-6.
Incline acted like it just received a gut punch and went three and out. The Wolverines attacked fast and, in a few plays, made it 26-6 with a traditional touchdown pass.
Wendover added to its lead early in the fourth quarter on a play that could have easily been an interception.
32-6.
The Highlanders ran the ball 11 consecutive times and capped the 74-yard drive when Cleary scrambled 17 yards for a touchdown with 6:24 left. Wendover scored on a 60-yard wide receiver screen that Incline would have love to replay and have a second try after giving the receiver too much room on third-and 15.
39-14.
The Highlanders ran the ball 12 consecutive times the next time and capped it off with Barraza’s first career touchdown with 1:23 left to make it 39-22.
The Highlanders recovered an onside kick and Cleary hit Kennan Collier on the very next play for a 53-yard touchdown to chop further into the lead, but that was the last of the scoring.
