Boulder City takes out Western with efficient run game, strong defense

By Case Keefer (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 | 10:59 p.m.

Tyler Washburn starred for Boulder City as it traveled into town to beat 4A opponent Western 28-13.

Washburn had 10 carries for 65 yards and, more notably, led a stout defensive effort with 11 tackles. The showing followed a 15-tackle performance from Washburn last week.

“He’s a wrestler,” Boulder City coach Alex Kazel said. “He’s got a great single-leg takedown. I love playing those wrestlers on defense.”

Washburn’s effort symbolized the Eagles night as a whole. They won because they were the more physical team.

Kazel opted to pound the ball on the ground, and his running backs responded by averaging about five yards per carry as a group.

Xavier Steel and Michael Kelso also scored touchdowns on the night. Steel had 12 carries for 59 yards. JD Owens proved a nice complement to Steel and Washburn with seven carries for 50 yards.

The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak to improve to 2-4.

“The kids made the plays they had to make,” Kazel said. “The last couple weeks we couldn’t get it done and it cost us. We just kind of pounded them and we deserved it.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or case.keefer@lasvegassun.com. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.