The Greyhounds fought hard Friday night against the visiting Del Norte Warriors but came up short, losing 20-14 in their season home opener. The young Hound squad was hoping to recover from last week’s loss, but couldn’t quite find their groove.
The defensive squads dominated the first half of the game. The only score came with 4:16 left in the second quarter on a 65-yard Del Norte pass. Healdsburg’s Jared Walker nearly intercepted the pass, but Warrior Aaron Fitch came down with the ball and ran it into the end zone. Healdsburg stopped the extra point attempt and the score going into the half stood at 6-0 Del Norte. Del Norte never relinquished the lead for the rest to the game.
A fumbled punt return by Healdsburg set-up the second Del Norte score in the third quarter on a 30-yard pass. Del Norte completed a two-point conversion to lead 14-0.
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Healdsburg came right back with a dramatic 67-yard touchdown run by junior Jared Walker less than a minute later. The third quarter ended with Healdsburg within striking distance 14-7.
Del Norte roared back at the start of the fourth with a 10-yard rushing score by junior running back Jackson Evans. Healdsburg’s first year quarterback Scott Reynolds rose to the challenge, leading the Hounds on a march down the field. Following four carries by Walker, Reynolds drilled a pass to senior Tanner Cristando for a 10-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 20-14.
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The remainder of the game was again dominated by the defense, with each stopping strong offensive drives, with neither side was willing to concede the game. Reynolds and the Hound offense got one last try in the final two minutes.
Starting deep in their own territory, Healdsburg drove past mid-field on a 50-yard reception by Walker. With 15 seconds left on the clock, Reynolds launched what looked like a perfectly timed pass, only to have Del Norte’s Tacheenee Shorty tip the pass and come down with a drive ending interception. The final score of 20-14 gave Del Norte their first win of the season.
Healdsburg fell to 1-2 for the season. The Hounds host Oakland’s Castlemont next Friday night at Rec Park.
