Jaguars fall in Vegas

Silverado 28, Boulder Creek 7

by Jason Stone

ANTHEM – Boulder Creek football coach Scott Heideman senses his team is “getting close” to winning after a 28‑7 loss to Silverado (Nev.) in Las Vegas last week.

“This is part of the growing pains, but I’m really pleased with the team’s total effort,” Heideman said after his first‑year varsity team fell to 0‑2 on the long trip to Nevada.

For the second straight game, Boulder Creek took an early lead and stayed close throughout before giving up a late score that made the final look more lopsided.

The Jaguars got on the board first when they kept a drive alive after converting a fake punt. Quarterback Colin Hulse hit receiver Tanner Walker on a 50‑yard touchdown pass, helping Walker go over the 100‑yard mark in receiving for the second straight game. But Silverado rallied for three touchdowns before halftime and led 21‑7 at the break.

“We didn’t execute the game plan well,” Heideman said about his offense failing to rally in the second half. “We’re just struggling offensively right now. We watched the film from this game and we’re trying to take care of that.”

Starting senior running back Nathan Hay missed the game with a dislocated knee cap that slowed him in the opening game against O’Connor.

The Jaguars also suited up without a pair of starters–Alex Carlson and Mason Maki–who have suffered season‑ending injuries.

The lack of depth comes at a bad time with powerful Chaparral Firebirds next on the schedule Friday night. Chaparral, a traditional power in 4A, has posted back‑to‑back blowout shutouts in their first two games.

“This is where we want to be,” Heideman said. “This is what we’re working for. When we set this schedule up, we did this to get our kids to grow up quick.”

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.