Stags Overrun Rams in Battle of the Horns

The annual Battle of the Horns gridiron matchup between Deer Park and Riverside high schools took place Sept. 11 at Deer Park High School. The host Stags used a balanced offensive attack combined with a stingy defense that produced three scores to retain possession of the trophy with a 39-6 victory, their fourth consecutive win in the series. Deer Park received the opening kickoff and, after an auspicious start that saw their first two offensive plays nullified by holding penalties, drove 66 yards in just under five minutes for the opening score, a Carter Criss six-yard run.

Following a Riverside punt, Ben Jordan gave the Stags a 10-0 lead with a 20-yard field goal as Deer Park made the most of a good starting field position at the Rams’ 30-yard line. Riverside answered quickly as Luke Reedy found Dom Wild on a 51-yard scoring pass. The Rams moved the ball 67 yards in only four plays to reduce the Deer Park lead to 16-6. A pair of safeties would close out the first half scoring. The first was on an errant snap on a punt in their own end zone. The second was when Deer Park defensive end Cam Noel pressured the Rams quarterback into an intentional grounding penalty while in the end zone for a 20-6 halftime lead for the home side.

Riverside would receive the second half kickoff and utilize a three-running-back set, providing two additional blockers for senior running back Javon- te Chambers, to advance the ball inside the Deer Park 15-yard line before turning over the ball on downs after eight minutes of possession and successfully converting a fourth down. The Stags took possession and drove 87 yards in 10 plays with Ian Olietti connecting with Eion Bogle for a 12- yard touchdown pass and a 26-6 lead.

Bogle would find the end zone again a short time later, this time from the defensive side of the ball. The senior returning all-league defensive back stepped in front of a Riverside receiver at the 35-yard line and weaved his way through traffic to the end zone. After the game, Bogle recalled having a good read on the intended receiver, and after a series of blocks from his teammates, knew he had a clear path to the end zone after his final cut eluding a last possible Riverside tackler. The evening’s final tally came when Olietti found Noel in the end zone from 30 yards out as the 6 foot, 5 inch receiver used every bit of his size to make a diving catch and brought the ball out for all to see, including the official who made the touchdown call. Olietti was 12/18 for 118 yards and two scores. He is 28-35 passing through two games.

Criss finished with 122 yards on the ground, eclipsing the century mark for the second consecutive game. He added four receptions for 24 yards. Noel was the top receiver with four grabs for 60 yards. Bogle was tops on the defensive side with 10 tackles. Close behind with seven each were Kash Phillips and Tristen Flugel. Offensively, the Rams were led by Chambers with 64 yards rushing. Oliver Ordaz and Zach Schneider were top tacklers with seven each. Deer Park opens Greater Spokane League 2A play in the back half of a Friday, Sept. 18, doubleheader at One Spokane Stadium at 7:30 p.m. against Rogers. Riverside hosts Liberty (Spangle) from the Northeast 2B League Friday at 7 p.m.