No looking back

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | midnight

With one game under its belts, Boulder City High School's football team is still learning the new spread offense installed by first-year coach Alex Kazel.

Kazel said there's only one way to learn as the team gears up it Sept. 5 game against Mohave High in Mohave, Ariz.

"The more times you repeat something the better," he said. "We were doing a lot of thinking ­'where do I go?' It was much better when we were just playing football."

The Eagles struggled offensively in their 48-20 loss to Basic on Aug. 29 with 180 total yards and five turnovers.

"Too many things went wrong early that hurt us. With time and reps we'll get them done. They are easy to fix. They were not errors on effort or not trying hard" Kazel said.

The Eagles are looking to get their first win against a Mohave team that defeated River Valley, Ariz., 38-14 in its opener on Aug. 29.

"It will be a good challenge. We have to contain their offense and limit our mistakes," Kazel said.

Boulder City lost two fumbles and threw three interceptions against Basic — two were returned for touchdowns.

"They executed well and made fewer mistakes. It's the first game of the year, so whoever makes fewer mistakes wins," Kazel said. "Basic capitalized on our mistakes like good teams should."

Basic scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Boulder City got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when senior Jeremy Smith scored on a 32 yard run.

Boulder City's quarterbacks, senior Jake Phillips and junior Ryan Washburn, completed 6 of 14 passes for 42 yards and the team rushed for 138 yards. Smith finished the game as the Eagles leading rusher with six carries for 61 yards and a touchdown.

"We played with heart and never gave up," Smith said. "There was no quit."

The Eagles other two scores came courtesy of the defense. Late in the second quarter, senior defensive end Alex Dillon recovered a Basic fumble and returned it 68 yards for the score, cutting Basic's lead to 34-13.

"Boulder City fought hard the whole game and never gave up," Basic coach Jeff Cahill said.

The Wolves retained possession of 'The Jug', the symbol of the team's rivalry for the sixth consecutive time.

Smith scored a second touchdown when he returned a fumble 48 yards in the third quarter, getting the Eagles within 21 at 41-20.

"After we dug a hole, we battled," Kazel said. "We battled for four quarters. I didn't see anybody quit. I didn't see anybody take any time off."