For the fourth time in five games this season the Douglas Bulldogs have allowed an opposing team to get their first win of the season against them.

The Bulldogs fell to 0-5 on the season after Desert View picked up its first win of the season this past Friday night beating Douglas 40-21 on the Jaguars homecoming night in Tucson.

The first half was impressive as the two teams traded scores.

Desert View struck first taking the opening drive of the game and scoring on a six yard reverse taking a quick 7-0 lead.

Grant Watkins returned to the field for Douglas Friday night but was only used on offense in a very limited role. The second play of the first series for Douglas Watkins broke free for a 53-yard TD run. The touchdown was called back however by a holding penalty. Minutes later Dylan Guerrero scored on a four yard run. Blaze Rose’s extra point kick tied the game at 7-7.

A Bulldog fumble in the second quarter eventually led to points for the Jaguars who scored from eight yards out taking a 14-7 lead.

Douglas took the ensuing drive and was within the Jags five. Watkins found a hole and was on the verge of scoring when he lost the ball. Fernando Rojas was there for the recovery and Rose’s extra point kick knotted the score at 14.

The Bulldogs attempted a surprise onside kick which they recovered and converted into points when Watkins did score finally this time from five-yards out. Rose’s extra point gave Douglas a 21-14 lead at the half.

In the third quarter the Jags scored twice, the first on a three yard TD run; the second on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown as Desert View regained the lead 27-21.

Two fourth quarter scores gave Desert View its 40 points, a season high total and helped them snap a 14 game skid dating back to last year when they finished 0-10.

The Bulldogs finished with 267 yards in total offense with 171 coming on the ground and 96 through the air.

Rose was eight of 22 in passing with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Mark Romero had two receptions for 16 yards, Matt Nelson five for 50 and Ozzie Moreno one for 30.

Rose finished with 13 carries for 76 yards; Watkins 10 for 60 and a score and Guerrero 11 for 35 and a TD.

The Bulldogs, stymied by injuries, suited up just 24 players for the game.

Douglas is back on the road this Friday night taking on a Palo Verde squad that is coming off a 50-0 loss to Nogales last Friday night.

Freshmen

The Douglas freshmen tied Desert View’s freshmen 12-12 last Thursday night in Tucson.

DHS freshmen assistant coach Rikki Valdez reported the defense played stellar most of the night making just one costly mistake.

On a third and 15 the defense was able to force the Desert View quarterback out of bounds only to have a defender hit him late creating a personal foul and extending Desert View’s drive and allowing them to score the first touchdown of the game.

Douglas’ offense then took over moving the ball at will and scoring just before halftime tying the game at 6.

In the second half the defense was able to stop Desert View and allow the offense to continue its dominance. Marching down the field Douglas scored its second touchdown to take the lead 12-6.

Both defenses then took over and were able to contain the offenses. With four minutes left in the game and Douglas still leading 12-6 Douglas was forced to punt the ball from its own 30 yard line. A bad snap forced the punter to just fall on the ball and prevent a Desert View touchdown.

Desert View then had a second chance and was able to drive 30 yards and score to tie the game at 12. Both teams struggled with PAT’s so Desert View lined up to go for two only to be stuffed by the Bulldogs’ defense. Douglas had one minute left to march down the field and was able to get to the 20 yard line with no time outs left and only five seconds to play. Calling a play that scored them a touchdown earlier in the game QB Ernesto Loreto rolled out only to be sacked from behind by a Desert View defender to end the game.

Since there is no overtime at the freshmen level the game ended in a 12-12 tie.

Head Coach Daniel Ellsworth was very pleased with the progress that this team has made in the past two months.

Douglas had 257 yards in total offense with 92 coming on the ground and 165 through the air.

Loreto was nine of 18 in passing with two touchdowns.

Jacob Ortega had six catches for 113 yards and a TD; German Galaz two catches for 27 yards and Alexis Medina one catch for 25 yards and a TD.

Medina finished with 16 carries for 63 yards; Loreto four carries for 29 yards.

The freshmen are at home against Palo Verde this Thursday night at 6 p.m.