Thanks to Gus Vargas for the photos and Randy Reams for the game info
Football:
It’s always going to be a challenge to withstand the elements in a 3 pm kickoff in the month of August.
There is also the added significance of looking across the line of scrimmage and seeing the fifth ranked football program in the entire state of Nevada looking back at you.
But that’s exactly what Ayala was dealing with in Saturday’s week-one showdown with Desert Pines.
In a back-and-forth thriller between two great teams, the Bulldogs made game-saving plays on both sides of the ball to survive, 30-26, over their visitors from Las Vegas.
Trailing 26-23 in the fourth quarter, Alex Way hit Jedi Hernandez out of the backfield for the go-ahead score.
Jedi’s TD was huge, but there was still work to be done on the defensive side of the ball if Ayala wanted to send Desert Pines back to Sin City with their first loss of the season.
And the game-sealing play started with Jacob Stewart’s forcing a fumble and it ended with the recovery from his teammate, Dawaun Nettingham.
AHS compiled 305 yards of total offense.
Way completed 13-of-26 for 175 yards and two scores.
Hernandez actually tossed a 37-yard TD pass to get Ayala on the board.
He also carried the ball nine times for 76 yards, and Jedi caught three passes for 18 yards, including the late TD reception.
Brenton Smith led Ayala in receptions (four) and receiving yards (72).
Nolan Reed had three catches for 55 yards and one TD.
Blake Frausto caught a pair of passes for 65 yards and one score.
The Ayala defense forced three turnovers on Saturday.
And that included an Adrian Tristan interception return for a TD.
On special teams, Jaden Hernandez made three of his four extra-point attempts.
Justin Calagna booted a 25-yard field goal in the win.
Up next: The Bulldogs will host La Habra next Friday at 7.
The Highlanders (1-1) defeated Newport Harbor, 31-7, in their week-one game on Friday.
To view a photo gallery by Gus Vargas, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
Box Score:
DP: 0-13-13-0-(26)
A: 6-7-10-7-(30)
Records: Desert Pines (1-1); Ayala (2-0)
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