Dayton needs a win to make playoffs

Win or turn in your uniforms.

That's the scenario when Dayton (5-4, 3-4) visits Fernley (4-5, 2-5) tonight in the regular-season finale for both schools.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Dayton could have clinched a spot last Friday, but suffered a 17-0 loss to Spring Creek, putting the Dust Devils in a precarious position.

"I never expected us to be in this position," Turner said before Wednesday's practice. "We played a pretty awful game. They came out more ready than we did. We started to panic and it showed.

"What's weird is that we still gained about 260 yards on offense, but we just couldn't get in the end zone. We had one score called back, and that's about the fifth time that's happened this year."

And, to make matters worse, Dayton enters the game without the services of Taryn Aguilera (high ankle sprain) and starting quarterback Austin Fletcher (concussion).

That means that Turner's son, Jake, will be back in the starting lineup for tonight's game. Turner has completed 6 of 15 passes for 151 yards and three scores, two of which came in the season-opening win over Lovelock.

"We had a light practice on Monday," coach Turner said. "On Tuesday he looked good. He knows the offense."

The Dust Devils' offense, led by Tyler Firestone (1,022 yards rushing) and Cody Yeater (514 yards rushing) go up against a Fernley defense led by Paul Bustamente and Erik Wilson.

"They create turnovers," Turner said. "They played Lowry pretty tough I thought. There is something to be said for that. It's Senior Night for them, and I'm sure they will play with plenty of emotion. This has always been a good rivalry for us."

Turner expects Dayton's defense to be tested by the Vaqueros' offense which averages 24 points a game.

"They run a lot and pass a lot," Turner said. "They run the Pistol offense and (QB) Kenny Bradley is their second-leading rusher. He does a lot with the zone read play."

Bradley has passed for 1,350 yards and 11 scores, and he's rushed for 558 yards. Jeremy Ruiz is the top runner with 788 yards and six TDs.