Del Oro JV running back Scott Westlake skirts around end as a Cardinal Newman defender closes in. Del Oro's JVs ventured to Santa Rosa last Saturday and returned home with a 15-6 win over the Cardinal.
Del Oro JVs Top North Coast Foe
Despite losing one of its top two-way players to an early injury, the Del Oro JV football team overcame a three-hour bus ride and a tough opponent Saturday night.
Playing perennial North Coast Section grid power Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa on the road in Sonoma County, the Golden Eagles pounded out a hard fought 15-6 win over the Cardinal to improve to 2-0 in the young season.
Coach Jerry Van Lengen’s Del Oro charges had to overcome the loss of fullback-linebacker Tanner Huber who went down with a knee injury early in the contest.
Still the Golden Eagles had enough in the gas tank to pick up the key intersectional victory.
Del Oro led 7-0 in the defensive struggle after cashing in on a long drive. The running of Russell Smith and Scott Westlake sparked the scoring march with a 40-yard gallop by Smith doing the six-point honors.
After Newman capitalized on a blocked Del Oro punt to set up its score, the Golden Eagles held a slim 7-6 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the two defenses kept each other’s offense in check until the fourth quarter when Del Oro finally used good field position after its defense kept the hosts pinned down deep to set up its final score.
On their second touchdown drive, the Golden Eagles used a big first down pick up on a 4th and 8 situation from Nick O’Sullivan. That conversion eventually set up a touchdown pass from Bobby Heatherington to Westlake. Del Oro then converted the two point conversion.
Defensive standouts in the game included Ashwin Cardenas, Bayard Seydel, Jake Craythorn and Alex Mason.
Del Oro hosts Franklin of Elk Grove Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Colfax JVs 25 Truckee 11 – Trailing 11-6 after a quarter, the Falcons used some strong defense and the legs of Hunter Owens to pound out their second straight win.
Owens scored touchdowns on runs of two, eight and 57 yards to help the Falcons overcome the early deficit. Owens’ second touchdown of the day pushed the Falcons into a 12-11 lead at halftime over the Wolverines who entered the game 2-0.
Colfax hosts Union Mine Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Placer JVs 26 Woodcreek 14 – A 27-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Foley to David Daniel in the fourth quarter put the lid on the Hillmen’s second straight win of the season.
Colton Davenport led the Hillmen with a pair of touchdowns while Joey Mangino added another six-pointer. Defensive standouts included Dan Dougherty and Nick Rohde.
Nevada Union JVs 64 Rocklin 0 – Nevada Union bounced back from a season opening loss to Ponderosa in a big way. Gabe Humphers led the win by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run and returned a fumble 32 yards for another tally.
Conner Keith added a 22-yard touchdown run while Josiah Paye scored from nine-yards out and threw two scoring passes for 17 and 37 yards.
Bradley Spangler added a 69-yard touchdown scamper and Matt Wittler had a kick return for 83 yards and a touchdown.
JV: Bear River 20, Calaveras 6 - Bear River's junior varsity improved to 2-0 by posting a shutout in San Andreas.
Jimmy Bamburg had a first-half touchdown run while Justin Butler added another score on a 16-yard pass from quarterback Dallen Huetter.
Leading the defense for Bear River were Dillon Huffmann led the team with 14 tackles and Brandon Wooner who returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown.