Lincoln County presses Yerington, but falls in Division III final

RENO — There were no smiles, and more than a few tears, as Lincoln County football coach Rich Ottley consoled his players one by one following the presentation of the Division III state championship trophy Saturday night at Reno High School.

Yerington had just beaten Lincoln County 21-8 for its third consecutive Division III championship, but as he spoke to each player, Ottley's message was a positive one.

"We're happy with our kids," Ottley said. "I think they gave Yerington one of the better games they've had all year. I don't think many of their varsity kids have played in the second half, in league anyway, this whole year."

The Lynx held Yerington (12-0) scoreless in the second half, and to less than half of the Lions' season scoring average, but couldn't convert two late trips deep into Yerington territory.

"We couldn't quite finish," Ottley said. "We missed a couple open receivers a few times, and we just didn't finish. It was a little deflating to get down in the red zone and not finish."

The Lions scored all of their points in a 9-minute span of the first and second quarters. Lincoln County (11-2) got on the board first, when quarterback McClain O'Connor scrambled from outside the right hash marks beyond the left and back, before lofting a 12-yard pass to Cody Thornock in the end zone. Thornock made the catch as he dragged his toes along the back line.

"McClain, he's a fantastic athlete, competitive, tough, quick, strong, everything a coach wants," Ottley said. "He's a coach's dream, and that's the kind of kid he is. If the game is on the line, he wants the ball, he wants to make a play."

Yerington's Reese Neville answered with a 78-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 8-7, then his 60-yard run set up a 31-yard touchdown pass from Dakota Aiazzi to Sam Hammond that gave Yerington a 14-8 lead with 9:47 left in the second quarter.

Michael Monahan scored on a 25-yard run with 4:08 left in the half for Yerington's other score.

Ottley said he knew his team was a huge underdog entering the game against the Lions, who defeated two Division I-A foes this season and outscored opponents by more than 30 points per game.

"When they beat Spring Creek, a I-A playoff team, you kind of knew they're a level above everyone else, figuratively and literally," Ottley said. "But I'm proud of my kids' efforts. It was a great year, really rewarding as a coach to see those kids grow up throughout the season."