Between bragging rights and respect, there’s always plenty on the line whenever Fernley and Fallon collide. But Friday night, the stakes are a ticket to the state semifinals.
The Greenwave will host the Vaqueros at 7 p.m. in the second round of the Northern 3A playoffs. As the No. 2 seed, the Greenwave enjoyed a bye last week, while third-seeded Fernley beat Lowry 50-28.
The Vaqueros are led by running back Keeshawn Love, who added 269 yards and four touchdowns to his gaudy season totals against Lowry last week. Love has rushed for 2,077 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, averaging 10.6 yards per carry and 188.8 yards per game.
As a team, Fernley heavily relies on its running game, averaging 353.8 yards per game on the ground and just 47.7 yards per game passing. Riley McCullar is Fernley’s second leading rusher with 677 yards, while quarterback Bryce Stephens has added 545 yards rushing.
Fallon counters with a balanced and explosive offense, averaging more than 200 yards per game both running and passing. Quarterback Matthew Bird has completed 105 of 171 passes for 1,911 yards with 25 touchdowns and three interceptions. Carson Melendy leads the rushing attack with 1,193 yards on 106 carries, an average of 11.3 yards per carry and 99.4 per game. Melendy gained 357 of those yards against Fernley in the October 10 game in Fernley, when he also ran for four touchdowns.
Those flashy offensive stats draw the attention, but the Greenwave have been equally good, if not better, on defense. Fallon’s defense posted five shutouts this season, including four in a row at one point, and allowed only 68 points all season and 62 points in their eight league games. Defensive end Wyatt Dixon has led the way with 61 total tackles and 13 sacks.
If No. 1 seed Elko beats Truckee on Friday, the Fallon-Fernley winner will travel to face the top seed from the 3A South next week. If Truckee beats Elko, the Fallon-Fernley winner would be at home against the South’s No. 2 seed.
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