The Douglas Bulldogs kicked off the 2008 high school football season Friday night with an impressive 35-0 shutout over their mining town rivals the Bisbee Pumas at Armando DeLucas Stadium.

The Douglas Bulldogs celebrate with The Pick after beating the Bisbee Pumas 35-0 in Douglas Friday night. With the win The Pick remains in Douglas for a second straight year.

It was the 138th meeting between the two schools making the rivalry, which began in 1906, the fourth longest in the nation.

What made the victory so impressive more than the score and the fact Douglas had no turnovers in the game was the fact the Bulldogs have been hit by a serious rash of injuries lately and at least five key players were unable to suit up Friday night because of those injuries. A number of new players stepped up and contributed to the opening night win.

Forty-eight hours prior to kickoff Bulldog receiver Spencer Grijalva made a defensive tackle in practice that would give him a level two concussion and a spinal cord injury making him unable to play the rest of this season. Grijalva was in the best shape of his career and looking forward to the upcoming season knowing college scouts would be watching him.

“I just want to cry,” he said standing on the sidelines before the game Friday night. “I really want to be out there tonight.”

Bulldog head football coach John Necas and Abe Grijalva, Spencer’s father, say Spencer’s health comes first and football is just a game.

“He’s an important part of this team,” the coach said. “Yea we’d like to have him out there but his health is far more important than this game.”

Grijalva’s injury came on the heals of Diego Suarez’ season ending ACL injury. Chawn Acosta missed his final game with Bisbee with a torn MCL but is expected to return to the team by conference time. David Figueroa, who scored Douglas’ lone touchdown in the scrimmage with Marana last week, did not play Friday night as did senior guard Carlos Grijalva.

“We’re banged up right now,” Coach Necas said. “I’m hoping we get some kids back this week.”

Despite the rash of injuries the Bulldogs seemed more fired up than Bisbee for the season opener.

Following an unsuccessful three and out by Bisbee on the opening series of the game the Bulldogs wasted little time in scoring as quarterback CJ Teran completed a 16-yard pass to Fernando Salayandia giving Douglas a quick 7-0 lead following Jose Aguirre’s successful extra point.

Bisbee again went three and out on its next possession and back came the Bulldogs. This time Teran completed a six yard TD pass to Ryan Valencia giving Douglas a 14-0 lead.

The defense got into the action on the ensuing drive when Tony Lopez and Diego Chavez sacked the Bisbee punter in the end zone for a safety giving the Dogs a 16-0 first quarter lead.

Douglas had several more opportunities to increase its lead in the second quarter but was unable to capitalize when it had the chance going in at halftime up 16-0.

The Dogs came out the second half and marched 78 yards in eight plays scoring on AJ Acosta’s 13 yard run giving Douglas a 23-0 lead.

Aguirre scored in the fourth on a 15-yard scamper and sophomore Nick Nunez found on open hole on his lone carry of the night scoring from 57-yards out for the final score of the night.

The Bulldogs ran for 245 yards and passed for 41.

Bisbee ran for 116 yards and threw for 70.

Aguirre would run for 111-yards on 13 carries; Acosta 77 on 10 carries and Teran would be 3 of 10 in passing.

“I was happy with how we came out and jumped on them early,” he said. “We had a couple of key plays in the passing game that helped us get our running game going.”

Teran, who struggled last year against Bisbee, showed real poise and maturity Friday night playing an interception free game.

“We’re pleased with the win,” he said. “It’s a good start. I’m hoping we can build on it.”

With one rivalry behind him the Bulldogs now turn their focus to another rival – the Nogales Apaches.

The two border towns go head to head next Friday night in Nogales. The Apaches spanked Rio Rico 61-0 in its opener Friday in Nogales.

The Apaches beat Douglas 24-7 last year in Douglas. Coach Necas says he’s aware they have some key players back this year including Andy Garcia a very talented back who ran for 196 yards on 10 carries last year and scored all three of the Apaches touchdowns.

“We have to do a better job of stopping him,” Necas said. “They’re going to be tough. … We’re expecting a heck of a battle.”

Bisbee        0    0    0      0-0

Douglas   16    0    7    12-35

Douglas - Teran 16-yard pass to Salayandia. Aguirre kick.

Douglas – Teran  6-yard pass to Valencia. Aguirre kick.

Douglas – Lopez, Chavez tackle Bisbee punter for safety.

Douglas – Acosta 13-yard run. Aguirre kick.

Douglas – Aguirre 15-yard run. Kick failed.

Douglas – Nunez 57-yard run. Kick failed.