Hundreds of die-hard Tiger fans witnessed history in the making for the second time this season as the Douglas Tigers Pee Wee Black Pop Warner football team shut out Marin 19-0 to again take third in the Pacific Northwest Regional Playoffs in San Rafael, Calif.
The Douglas team first put its name in the record book by soundly defeating the Sparks Bills in the Snow Bowl to earn its second straight Northern Nevada championship title.
The Pee Wee Black defense dominated the Marin offense. The defensive line of Anthony Wedlock, Patrick Wilson, David Colby, Joseph Mitchell, Jake Lewis and Spencer Lewis came up with sack after sack and stuffed the run. The Marin offense was just 1-of-5 on fourth down conversions.
"The 12th man was and always is a big factor. Our stands were twice as full as the home team's," assistant coach Alonzo Hatchett. "From our chalk talk the night before to the last seconds of the fourth quarter, we pumped each other up and the intensity never broke."
Defensive ends Sean Molina, Jordan Hatchett and Roman Davis were relentless with containing the outside and putting heat on the quarterback.
Cornerbacks Bryt Lewis and Jonathan Ayoso provided solid pass coverage.
Linebackers Travis Woodbury, Ryan Pruitt and Sammy Simmons intimidated Marin running backs from the first play. Woodbury, who was hurt in the second quarter, was replaced by Phillip Mannelly, who also played well.
Strong safety Reese Kizer, also played well and made a shutout-saving tackle by chasing a runner from behind.
On offense, the line of Taylor Reed, Tommy O'Brien, Brian Kaplan, Cody Sawin, Mick Mortenson and Steven Dotts and tight ends Tony Farkas and Cody Whalin paved the way.
"The line really stepped up," head coach Gary Davis said. "I4t all starts and stops in the trenches. There isn't a lot of glory involved, but if yhou don't have your blocking, you don't have anything. I'm very proud of everyone."
Quarterback Cole Hamzik took advantage of the pass blocking and hooked up with Tim Gunsten time after time.
Running backs Roman Davis, Niko Salidas had solid games on the ground behind the blocking of Mannelly at fullback, who was also a force, carrying several tacklers for an extra five or 10 yards when he ran the ball.
"It was a great effort from all - players, coaches, parents and fans. It's been like that all season," Davis said. "We set a goal and met it. You can't ask for anything more than that."
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