Jaguars’ Tuiloma: four touches, four TDs

Eric Tuiloma certainly made the most of limited opportunities for Desert Pines on Friday night.

The senior scored touchdowns each of the four times he touched the ball to help the Jaguars to a 50-6 victory at Cheyenne in the season-opening football game for each team.

Tuiloma had three catches for 145 yards and three scores, and he took an interception back 15 yards for another touchdown.

“I feel great,” he said. “I was trying to help my quarterback out (on offense), and obviously I feel good about the first interception of the season.”

After Desert Pines forced a three-and-out on Cheyenne’s first possession, a common occurrence in the game, Tuiloma broke free down the left sideline on the Jaguars’ first offensive snap and caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Dalton Leilua.

“The safety came down, and the linebacker scooted in on the play-action,” Tuiloma said. “I knew the corner was wide open, so I was just like, 'Dalton, throw me the ball.’ ”

Leilua did just that, as he has many times over the years.

“We grew up together, and we’ve played on the same team since middle school,” Leilua said of his relationship with Tuiloma. “We pretty much know each other on the field. I know he’s going to burn the guys that are on him.”

The pair also connected on scores of 31 and 64 yards. Leilua added two touchdown runs and finished 6 of 8 for 186 yards through the air.

The Jaguars controlled the game from the opening snap.

Desert Pines outgained the Desert Shields 144-2 in the first quarter, and the Jaguars led 25-0.

Tuiloma said Desert Pines wanted to show its improvement, especially since it opened against a perennial power in Southern Nevada.

“It’s a big statement,” he said. “I hope everyone knows that DP is going to be strong. We’re serious this year.”

The Jaguars found the end zone on their first five offensive possessions and seven of their first eight.

“I thought we’d come out a little scared just because it’s Cheyenne,” he said. “But after the first couple of minutes, we were dominating the field and it just showed how much our hard work paid off.”

Not everything went as planned for Desert Pines. The team was successful on only two conversions after its eight touchdowns. The Jaguars missed two kicks, had two more blocked and failed on two 2-point conversions.

“We’ve got a little work to do, but again, it’s the first game. We’re going to keep trying. We’ll find the right pieces and make it happen,” Desert Pines coach Paul Bennett said.

Jordan Butler scored the Desert Shields’ touchdown on a 57-yard pass from Chris Spencer.

Butler led the team with 23 rushing yards.

Schaquawn Williams had a game-high 88 yards on the ground for Desert Pines.