The Highlanders opened the season with a 28-7 loss at defending Northern 2A champion Battle Mountain this past Friday.

Incline (0-1) drew first blood against the perennial power Longhorns (1-1), as junior quarterback Patrick Murray hooked up with junior receiver Jordan Wright on an 8-yard bootleg pass in the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.

Battle Mountain wore down Incline the remainder of the game with a pounding running attack that accumulated 317 yards, with Tommy Mahon leading the way with 118 yards on 15 carries.

“We played good defense,” said Incline head coach Mike Evans. “They were just able to wear us down.”

Evans said senior Travis Causey and Bobby Thoms played particularly well defensively for the Highlanders, with Causey recording 17 tackles and Thoms 14 tackles.

UP NEXT Incline will host its home opener against league opponent Silver Stage on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.

Incline football kickoff dinner fundraiser

The Incline football team is hosting its kickoff dinner fundraiser at Rookies in Incline Village on Saturday, Sept. 18 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The dinner will feature a live and silent auction and a raffle awarding a John Elway Super Bowl helmet and football.

Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets are available at the high school or Village Ace Hardware, or by calling head coach Mike Evans at (775) 240-5763.