62-0. Yes, 62-0; the Oakdale varsity football Mustangs dominated the visiting Lathrop Spartans on Friday night. Oakdale scored 35 points in the first quarter and used a running clock in the second half to remain unbeaten in Valley Oak League action. The host team used a strong rushing attack to open up their early lead, scoring on each of their first six possessions of the game.
The Mustangs got on the board 41 seconds into the contest. Josh Jacobson powered his way past the Spartans defensive line and secondary on a 53-yard rushing score to go up 7-0. Jacobson found the end zone for the second time on a one yard rush up the middle to go up 14-0. Jacobson finished the game with seven carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Marc Dickson completed his one pass attempt and found a wide open Hunter Falconi in the end zone from 29 yards out to go up 21-0 with 4:43 left in the first quarter. The Falconi touchdown was set up by a Junior Rodin fumble recovery. Rodin had a big impact in the win, as the senior finished with three sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection.
“We as a team were really dialed in tonight. Everyone who stepped on the field did their job,” Rodin said.
Cameron Cherry got in the act as he rushed for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns on a dozen carries. Cherry scored both of his touchdowns in the first half. He scored from one yard out with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter to give the Mustangs a 28-0 advantage. Scoring the final touchdown of the first quarter was Bronson Harmon on a 19 yard rush with 29 seconds left in the quarter. Harmon finished with four carries for 55 yards and the touchdown.
Cherry gave the Mustangs a 42-0 lead on his 16 yard rush with 8:39 remaining in the half. Oakdale’s identity has been the run, and the future appears bright for their backfield.
With a 42-0 lead Coach Trent Merzon called upon the second unit of his backfield to see some snaps. Max Moore carried the ball four times in the first half for 65 yards and scored on a 27 yard touchdown with 2:21 left in the half to go up 49-0.
In the second half, backup quarterback Hayden Knittel scored using his legs on a one yard rush to expand the lead to 55-0 with 3:23 left in the third. Oakdale’s final score of the evening came on a three yard rush by Justin Jericoff with 5:12 left to play.
Oakdale’s defense earned their second straight shutout victory. Along with Rodin, big plays by Zach Campbell, CJ Toledo, Jace Krick, Makai Harris, Corey Hinojosa and Sweden foreign exchange student Ludvig Westberg all got in on the act.
“This has been a great experience so far, and I am enjoying every minute of it,” Westberg said.
The Mustangs (8-1, 6-0) are currently tied with Central Catholic (8-0, 6-0) in the VOL standings. The two teams will battle it out for the VOL championship Friday night, at Central Catholic. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Junior Varsity
Oakdale earned a big 42-12 home win over visiting Lathrop Friday night. The first quarter saw a close game. After the first 12 minutes Oakdale led 7-6 but poured it on in the second and third quarters. The JV Mustangs went into halftime up 28-6 and entered the fourth quarter up 42-6. Leo Ayala rushed for over 100 yards and scored three touchdowns for Oakdale. Evan Waite, Cameron Snow and Peyton Bradford also found the end zone for Oakdale.
Freshmen
The unbeaten freshman squad enjoyed a bye week as Lathrop did not have enough players to form a team this year. Oakdale looks to remain unbeaten as they wrap up the season at home on Thursday night against Central Catholic. The VOL showdown is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start inside The Corral.
