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Pee Wees post another win

Ron Curtis
Provided to the Sun

Truckee’s Pee Wee Pop Warner football team defeated the Sparks Cardinals, 26-0, at home over the weekend.

“Saturday’s (game) was a big improvement over last week’s game,” said Truckee Pee Wee head coach Gregg Christian, referring to the previous week’s 14-0 win over the Carson City Pee Wees. “Our offense played a lot sharper.”

Truckee’s offensive unit got on the board with a Zach Pettite 20-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt failed.



The offensive drive started after a 55-yard kickoff return by Graham Christian, of which a 10-yard penalty left the ball on the Cardinals 20-yard line for Pettite to run it in for the score.

The quarter ended with Truckee leading, 6-0.



In the second quarter the defense came up with an excellent stop, setting up the offense for its second score of the game.

“The defense has been our real strength,” said defensive coach Rich Stull. “They have turned in two shutouts to start the season.”

The drive was capped on a quick pitch to Pettite for his second score. The extra point was successfully ran in by Christian, bringing the score 13-0.

Again, the defense came up big with another stop led by the defensive line of Jake Pettite, Niko Duner, Scot Womack, Justin Carter and Luke Theis.

“Our defense is the catalyst of this team. It is very athletic,” assistant coach Frank Ritchie said.

The third score of the first half came on an excellent run by Sawyer Ballister, running in the ball from the 23-yard line. The extra point failed, leaving the scoring at 19-0 at the half.

The Cardinals showed a bit more grit to start the second half, preventing Truckee’s offense from scoring. But Sparks was not able to move the ball as well with Truckee’s tenacious defense, led by some outstanding plays from quarterback and outside linebacker Ty Englert, cornerback Chase Eichele and defensive linemen Jentz Zirbel, Jasper Fields and Nathan Golden. Calvin Svoboda made an great defensive stop to end the third quarter with neither team scoring.

While the Cardinals made gallant attempts to keep Truckee from scoring, the offense was determined to add on to its point total.

With a complete different offensive line of Julian Thomas, Zach Conradson, Tyler Curtis, Zach Clauser and Brian Ritchie, Sawyer Ballister picked up 20 yards on a nice run to bring the ball to the Cardinal 12-yard line.

From there, running back Brooks Hudson ran the ball on a power play to score another Truckee touchdown. The extra point by Luke Theis was successful, bringing the score to 26-0.

At that point Sparks made an attempt to get back in the game by putting the ball up in the air. This gave Truckee’s defensive backs the opportunity to pick off a couple of passes. Steve Baker intercepted a Cardinal pass and ran for a 22-yard return, and Luke Theis picked off another Cardinal pass for a return of 20 yards, shutting down any attempt for the Cardinals to get back into the game.

The Junior Pee Wees will play at home against Carson City; game time is 10 a.m. The Pee Wees play the Reno Ravens at 12 p.m. The Junior Midgets will also play at Incline against North Lake Tahoe at 1 p.m. The Midgets will play at home against the Reno Ravens; game time is 2 p.m.


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