Desert Oasis survives nonleague game with Boulder City

A 21-point halftime lead proved to be enough for Desert Oasis on Friday night.

Christian Vaughn ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns to lead Desert Oasis to a 21-12 home win over Boulder City.

“We had it in control, and we let it slip away a little bit,” Desert Oasis coach Mike Ovens said. “Offensively, we reverted back to some bad habits.

“Luckily, we had 21 in the first half.”

Vaughn punched in a score from 4 yards out with 7 minutes, 34 seconds left in the second quarter, and his 2-yard dive with 16 seconds left in the first half capped a 70-yard drive that started with 1:31 left in the half. Alvin Pomare scored the Diamondbacks’ first touchdown, a 3-yard score just 6 minutes into the game.

The Diamondbacks (4-1) picked off a pair of first-half passes in the end zone and turned the Eagles over on downs in the final minute.

“The interceptions were huge. They were the difference,” Ovens said. “We got a couple breaks, and in football, and in sports, you get the breaks.”

Desert Oasis receiver Laakea Mulivai finished with 85 yards on six receptions, all in the first half.

Despite the sluggish start, the Eagles (4-2) had their chances to steal a win, but three red zone turnovers hampered those thoughts.

Two second-half touchdowns by Boulder City’s Thorsten Balmer made it interesting, but two failed 2-point attempts left the Eagles down two scores.

Balmer finished with 120 yards and the two scores on 23 touches. Boulder City sophomore wideout Deavin Lopez caught three passes for 70 yards.

Boulder City coach Chris Morelli said the slow start was the result of the oddly-scheduled nonleague contest sandwiched in league play.

“We just wanted to get through this game and get back to league,” he said. “We’re not focused on this game. We’re focused on the next three. And realistically, I think the kids felt the same way. We came out flat. That’s the flattest I’ve seen us the entire year.”