After dropping three consecutive games to end their preseason campaign, Oakdale’s varsity football team bounced back in a big way to open league play. On Friday night, Sept. 25 the Mustangs hosted Sierra in the Valley Oak League season opener. On a night where the cheer squad welcomed and celebrated “Mini Mustangs” young cheerleaders, there was nothing “mini” about the Mustangs performance on the football field as Oakdale won 42-5 over the Wolves.
On the opening drive of the night, Sierra faced a fourth-and-2 from their 42-yard line and the Mustangs jumped early to give the visitors an automatic first down. After coming up empty, the Wolves ended that drive but they would get the ball back following a Mustangs fumble on their opening drive. The Wolves took advantage of that turnover and scored on a 33-yard field goal with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter. The lead lasted just over a minute as Oakdale scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown by Dex Edwards II with 3:26 to play in the first. The Mustangs added on to their lead just before the end of the quarter when Edwards scored on a seven-yard rush that made it 14-3 with 23 seconds left in the quarter.
Oakdale’s defense had a successful night and late in the opening frame, Alex Rader had back-to-back sacks to end the first quarter. The first play of the second quarter Peyton Wallace intercepted the ball at their own 30-yard line. Oakdale capitalized on the turnover with a seven play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard rushing touchdown by Andrew Ruiz with 8:25 left in the first half to go up 21-3. Oakdale added to their lead when Ruiz caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Christian Amerine with 1:44 left in the half. Oakdale went into halftime up 28-3.
Oakdale received the ball to start the second half and they continued to punish the Wolves as they took the opening drive of the second half for a touchdown as Amerine connected with Brody Jones for a 30-yard touchdown in a crowded endzone with 9:42 to go in the third quarter to go up 35-3. Oakdale’s final points of the night came when Tristan Flores burst his way down the sidelines for a 23-yard rushing touchdown with 4:24 left in the third quarter. Sierra scored a safety with 10:31 remaining in the game to make it 42-5. Noah Mendence successfully kicked all six points after touchdown for the Mustangs.
“Tonight was a great way to start the regular season. It is something that we knew we had to do, we knew we had to take care of business,” said Mustang head coach Garrett Martin. “Everyone played well and did their job tonight; all three phases of the game did what they needed to do.”
Amerine finished 3-of-4 for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Oakdale’s running game was led by Edwards who ran for 77 yards and scored two touchdowns.
This Friday night, Oct. 2, Oakdale will celebrate Homecoming 2026 and welcome Patterson. The Tigers are coming off a 47-7 home loss to Manteca.
Oakdale’s junior varsity defeated Sierra 50-0 to start their VOL season on a winning note on Sept. 25. The freshmen were 35-0 winners over Sierra on Thursday night, Sept. 24.
