Vandals Lock up Top Playoff Spot After Win

Wyatt Anderson passed for 127 yards and two touchdowns and Brandon Lee rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns leading Eureka to a 52-12 rout of visiting Independence last week.

Anderson only passed the ball six times, completing four.

Coach Fred Minoletti kept the ball on the ground all but seven plays employing seven different ball carriers.

The Vandals ambushed the Colts with 30 points in the first quarter.

“It didn’t’ take us took long to get out of the gate this time, commented he said. “Offensively and defensively we did well. We had the opportunity to get our younger guys in there in the second half, good for them to get some experience to carry the ball and be on defense.”

Garrett Todd had eight carries for 71 yards. Chris Drayton caught both of the TD passes from Anderson. Tristan Bircham had 11 tackles, both solo and assisted.

The boys will conclude the regular season this Saturday afternoon at Owyhee (1-4, 1-3), then have two weeks off to prepare for the playoffs.

“We try to keep improving every week,” Minoletti said, “and keep the kids focused on the road ahead.”

Eureka has wrapped up the No. 1 seed from the 1A east league. Carlin (5-3, 3-1) and Wells (5-2, 3-1) are tied for second place and play each other this Friday for the final playoff spot. Wells has won the last two meetings between the teams.

The format in the NIAA Class 1A playoffs this year in the first round has the No.1 east team play host to the No. 2 west team Nov. 2. The No.1 west team will be at home to face the No. 2 east team Nov. 2.

At present, Eureka and Carlin are the leaders in the 1A east, Virginia City and Sierra Lutheran are tied for the lead the 1A west.

Virginia City (6-1, 2-0) plays at Sierra Lutheran (4-3, 2-0) this Saturday.

Both those teams conclude the regular season next weekend.