Desert Oasis hands Boulder City overtime loss

By Brent Hinckley

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | 1:16 a.m.

Boulder City High football coach Alex Kazel wants his team to remember the pain of losing to Desert Oasis, 28-27, in overtime Friday as it prepares for the postseason.

“We didn’t come out with the intensity necessary for a football game,” Kazel said. “Hopefully, we learned our lesson and take it with us on the road.”

Boulder City held leads in the fourth quarter and in overtime, but each time first-year Desert Oasis rallied.

“We never laid down,” Desert Oasis coach Matt Jenkins said. “This whole year has been about building for 2009. What a great way to finish.”

Trailing 27-21 in overtime, junior wide receiver Elijah Mitchell got an 11-yard touchdown pass from Breenen Scott and the ensuing extra point gave Desert Oasis the win.

“We made too many mistakes, and didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” Kazel said.

The Eagles (6-3, 1-2 3A Southern League) go into next week’s league playoffs as the No. 3 seed and play at No. 2 Virgin Valley.

Senior safety Alex Critcher said the loss was a wake-up call to get ready for the postseason.

“We can’t screw around this week. We deserve 100 percent of what coach gives us this week,” Critcher said. “We will be better prepared for the playoffs.”

Boulder City scored 14 points in the second half to come back from a six-point halftime deficit and led 21-13 late in the fourth quarter.

Senior running back Spencer Sasarita scored both third-quarter touchdowns, each on runs on one yard.

However, the Diamondbacks rallied to force overtime when Scott connected with junior receiver Colin Maestas on a 30-yard pass with 1 minute, 16 seconds to play.

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-2687 or [email protected].