Twelve Bridges tramples Nevada Union 56-17

Miner Magic was in the air early last Friday night in Grass Valley, as Nevada Union jumped out to a fast start in its Foothill Valley League opener against Twelve Bridges. The Miners held a 17-13 lead after one, but that was all the offense that they could muster as the Raging Rhinos went on to score 43 unanswered points to secure a 56-17 victory. Senior quarterback Conner Frontiera put on an aerial show, passing for 331 yards and five touchdowns in a 12-for-20 effort. The Rhinos moved the ball at will, piling up 688 total yards in one of their most complete efforts of the season. Frontiera spread the ball around all night with 10 Rhinos catching passes. Dylan Amos, Will Gant, Davin Markle, Jackson Weber and Brody Cleaveland each snagged a touchdown catch with Amos racking up a game-high 102 yards on just two catches. Cleaveland had 57 yards on his lone reception and Bradley Kirby snagged two catches for 59 yards. The Rhinos were just as dangerous on the ground. Senior Chase Wyhlidko ran wild for 104 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries, while Matthew Marquez added 87 yards on 10 attempts. Josh Chittom provided an explosive spark off the bench with 54 yards, including a 48-yard burst that set up another score. Daniel Oamil ran for 55 yards on four carries. Defensively, Twelve Bridges kept the Miners from ever finding their rhythm after the first quarter. Markle led the charge with 11 tackles while Whylidko, Chittom, Cordae Johnson and Brady Butterfield each had six. Colton Hogge added four tackles and a tackle for loss as the Rhinos' front seven consistently created problems for the Miners. Nevada Union quarterback JC Harris threw for 96 yards and a touchdown, finding Austin Putnam for a 44-yard score. Rhyder Eelkema carried much of the load on the ground with 131 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Rhinos improved to 6-0 with the victory and 1-0 in FVL play. Twelve Bridges will welcome rival Placer (4-2, 1-0 FVL) to Lincoln on Friday in a clash that will go a long way in determining the league title. The Rhinos and Hillmen met twice last season with Twelve Bridges winning both matchups.