Oakdale’s junior varsity football Colts welcomed the Comets of Crater High School this week. The Comets traveled seven-plus hours from Central Point, Oregon and for those who made the trip, they would not be disappointed. Crater topped the Colts 23-13 on Friday night, Sept. 2.

Tied at seven each with 2:16 remaining in the first half, Crater scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 halftime lead. In the defensive stand by both teams, Oakdale’s Sam Medlin helped anchor the Colts defense as he had two sacks, a pass deflection and three tackles for losses in the first half.

Both defenses continued to make big plays in the third quarter, with the only score coming on a Crater safety after Colts quarterback Caleb Kuppens was called for intentional grounding in the end zone with 2:10 remaining in the quarter.

Oakdale found themselves in an even bigger hole early in the fourth quarter as Crater scored on a one yard pass to extend their lead to 23-7 with 8:57 remaining in the game. Oakdale responded with a one yard score of their own as sophomore Justin Jericoff found the end zone via the run with 5:25 left in the game for the final score of the evening.

Prior to the game, many fans in the stands and the cheerleaders wore the number “21” in support of Colt Devin Murphy. His mother, Alayne Hart-Murphy is undergoing medical treatment after suffering serious injuries in an accident. The Corral was full of supporters who participated in a silent auction and a collection was also taken to help the family. Alayne is also the mother of former Mustang Quinton Castaneda, who graduated in 2015 and was a member on two of the Mustangs Sac-Joaquin Section Championship teams.

Oakdale looks to regroup this week as the team will be on a bye week before returning to action against Campolindo in Moraga for a road game set for Friday, Sept. 16.