Ponderosa football still stuck at the start line

GRASS VALLEY —  It played out like a well-written Hollywood script — for the home team.

First drive goes six plays for a score. After a three-and-out on defense, a punt return gives the offense a short field. Offense scores again to go up by two touchdowns. On the ensuing kickoff, the kicking team recovers a misplayed return and one play later, a nifty scoring toss puts the home team ahead three scores — all before the first quarter is halfway over.

For the Ponderosa High football team, Friday night's well-played script was more like a horror movie as host Nevada Union scored early and often in its home-opening 47-0 shellacking of the visiting Bruins.

"First two games, we go up against two perennial powers," Ponderosa coach Jason Tenner said. "They have played like it both games. Offensively we just couldn't get anything going tonight."

Behind an offense that clicked on all cylinders and a defense that limited the Bruins to just 96 yards of offense, the Miners moved to 2-0 on the preseason.

"Offensively we were able to pass and run the ball very well," Nevada Union coach Dave Humphers said. "Kyle (Cota) made some great throws and defensively, we won the turnover battle. It was a good win at home to start the year."

Down early, the Bruins continued to battle but yards were scarce. Two second-quarter touchdown runs put the Bruins further behind as the Miners racked up 355 yards of offense in the first half.

"The kids battled all night long," Tenner said. "I'm proud of them — they never gave up and kept fighting. We just ran into a very good defense tonight and when you get down early like we did, it's hard to get back into it."

Chris Hobbs highlighted a dreary first half, picking up 39 yards rushing for the Bruins. Nevada Union's secondary made passing the ball equally tough as Ponderosa quarterback Jacob Bist managed only two completions for 9 yards.

"We had opportunities to make some plays and we didn't," Tenner said. "We have to find a way to come out and get the first score. It's like we wait to get hit in the mouth before we respond. Against a team like this (Nevada Union) we can't wait."

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Bruins' offense found some holes and thanks to several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Miners, Ponderosa had the ball at the Nevada Union 15 yard line. A 7-yard run by Jeff Martin and a 6-yard carry by Matt Poulin got the ball to the 2 but two plays later the Miners forced their second turnover of the game. A late touchdown by Nevada Union on its final drive concluded the scoring.

"We'll go back to work Monday and get things figured out," Tenner said. "We've got the Gold Pan game against El Dorado next week and it should be a good one. Both teams are gonna be hungry for the win. I know our guys will be ready to go."

Hobbs led the Bruins with 39 yards rushing, Martin added 26 yards and Poulin had 15. Jeff Camilli had a reception for 5 yards and Ben Boardway caught a 4-yard pass. Defensively, Kaden Mosbacher and Darren Brundage each sacked the quarterback while Jarrod Peterson and Camilli combined on a second-quarter sack. Erik McKinnon had a third-quarter fumble recovery.