Bulldogs fall to 0-3

Two teams looking for their first win of the season clashed Friday night at Douglas High School as the Douglas Bulldogs faced the Santa Rita Eagles.

The Eagles would hand the Bulldogs their third straight loss winning 41-15.

These two teams were rained out last year in Tucson and did not play. Rain fell again Friday only this time Douglas’ artificial turf held up and despite being a little bit slippery, the field showed no real signs of the heavy rain that fell hours before kickoff. A light drizzle fell early on in the game but had stopped by halftime.

Douglas had at least 10 players not suited up for the game among those being running back Grant Watkins who was on crutches on the Douglas sideline.

Santa Rita took the opening drive of the game and marched 60 yards in 10 plays eventually converting a fourth and 15 into a 37-yard touchdown pass with just under four minutes gone in the quarter. The Eagles were penalized three times for 20 yards on the drive.

The Bulldogs responded on the ensuing drive marching from their own 20 down to the Eagle 35 where quarterback Blaze Rose would hit Ozzie Moreno four a touchdown. The Bulldogs missed the extra point and trailed 7-6.

Santa Rita went three and out on its next series. On fourth down the Eagles went to punt but the snap sailed over the punters head and rolled back 21 yards eventually coming to a stop on the Eagles 4 yard line.

The Bulldogs took advantage of the mistake and Rose hit senior Matt Nelson for a touchdown pass giving Douglas a 12-7 lead. The TD catch by Nelson was his third in three games this season.

Douglas went for the two point conversion but was stopped

Santa Rita took the ensuing drive starting at their 16 yard line and eventually scoring on a 34 yard run with two seconds remaining in the quarter. The Eagles converted their extra point taking a 14-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

The Bulldogs began the second quarter at their own 26. Rose would later boot a 32-yard field goal giving Douglas a 15-14 lead.

Santa Rita would score twice in the final minute taking a 26-15 lead at the half. The first came on a five yard run with 52 seconds remaining that capped off a eight play drive.

Douglas fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Eagles recovered eventually scoring on a eight yard run.

The Bulldogs took the opening drive of the second half and marched from their own 29 down to Santa Rita’s 20. Rose’s 37-yard field goal fell short.

Following an exchange of fumbles between the two teams the Eagles would eventually score increasing their lead to 34-15.

Santa Rita would eventually score again in the fourth quarter on a 53-yard run giving them a 41-15 lead.

The Eagles would account for 404 yards in total offense with 223 coming through the air and 181 on the ground.

Douglas would have 209 yards in total offense with 92 coming through the air and 117 on the ground.

Rose was 9 of 23 in passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Nelson would have five receptions for 33 yards and a score; Moreno two for 49 and a score.

Rose would also have 16 carries for 45 yards; Dylan Guerrero 14 for 57 and David Vasquez two for 21.

The Bulldogs host unbeaten Nogales this Friday night at Douglas High School. Nogales is coming off a 51-0 win over Amphi.

Junior varsity

Douglas’ junior varsity picked up its first win of the season Sept. 6 beating Empire’s JV’s 25-0 in Vail.’

Ulysses Villalobos had a good game defensively causing two fumbles, recovering a fumble and intercepting an Empire pass.

Douglas’ first score came in the opening quarter when Jose Moreno scored on a two yard run. The missed extra point left Douglas with a 6-0 lead.

Still up 6-0 to start the second half Moreno scored again this time from three yards out. The Bulldogs again missed the extra point increasing its lead to 12-0.

Luis Carrasco would later return a fumble recovery 30 yards for a touchdown. Carlos Estrada’s extra point kick would give Douglas a 19-0 lead.

Moreno would score his third touchdown of the game in the fourth giving Douglas its 25-0 lead.

Moreno would finish the night with 11 carries for 73 yards and three touchdowns. Victor Varela would have seven carries for 18 yards; Carrasco six for 64 and Luis Alvarado 13 for 84.

Douglas, 1-1, is at Nogales Thursday.