Boulder City High School’s Devin Combs looks for some running room during the first half of a game against Basic High School on Friday in Boulder City. Basic won the game 26-0 to retain the rivalry’s milk jug.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 | 2:14 p.m.
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Boulder City High senior running back Devin Combs knew his team needed a spark on Sept. 5 against visiting Mohave (Ariz.).
Following a 90-minute delay during halftime as a precaution against threatening lightning, Combs returned the opening kickoff of the second half 88 yards for a touchdown.
A nine-point halftime lead turned into a three-possession advantage as Boulder City won its first game of the season, a convincing 42-20 victory.
“We just stayed focused the whole time during the delay,” said Combs, who finished with 179 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. “The delay wasn’t tough on us at all... It turned out to be a fun game.”
Combs started the scoring for the Eagles in the first quarter with an 88-yard touchdown run — his first varsity touchdown.
“All of the hard work in practice is paying off,” Combs said.
Boulder City (1-1), one week after being shutout against Basic, found its stride offensively.
Quarterback Ross LaMarca passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, finding Preston Swasey for five completions for 82 yards.
LaMarca threw a pair of second quarter touchdowns — 23 yards to Jack LaMarca and 1 yard to Allen Haines.
“We had some time (in practice) to work on some things and gain some confidence,” Boulder City coach Alex Kazel said. “The layover made things interesting, but that long kick return got everyone going right away.”
Now, Boulder City has to find ways to continue the momentum into this week’s game. The Eagles on Sept. 11 will play at River Valley, Ariz., in its first road game of the season.
“We still have so many things to work on,” Kazel said. “They have to get better each week if they want to play in November in that last game of the season. As soon as you get satisfied, people will pass you by.”
River Valley hasn’t won this season, but had more than 300 yards of offense in losing to Needles, Calif., last week.
“Their offense can produce,” Kazel said. “We are going to have to do a better job of tackling.”
Combs said he hopes Boulder City continues to have success, but knows that success will not come easy.
“We just need to keep bringing it hard everyday in practice,” he said.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].
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