For the second straight game, the varsity Oakdale Mustangs shut out the opposition, this week’s victim: the Lathrop Spartans. Oakdale (5-1, 3-0) spoiled the Spartans (1-5, 0-3) Homecoming with a 42-0 thumping on Friday night, Oct. 7.
Following an interception by Oakdale’s Ty Fuentes, the Mustangs jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on an eight-yard dash by Cameron Cherry with 10:30 remaining in the first quarter. Cherry finished the game with a dozen carries for a team high 114 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs added on to their lead with a three-yard rush by Joshua Jacobson. The power back blasted his way through the Spartans line and across the goal line to give Oakdale a 14-0 lead with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter. On the ground, Jacobson finished with nine carries for 34 yards and a score.
Late in the second quarter Jacobson showed his speed and strength on special teams. The Spartans were forced to punt from their own 23 yard line, following a sack by Cullen Bearden on third down. As soon as the ball was snapped, Jacobson erupted through the Spartans line and lunged for the ball resulting in a block. Jacobson scooped the ball up and returned it for the score giving Oakdale a 21-0 advantage with 3:27 left in the half.
“We knew what we had to do to win this game. We had practiced blocking punts and after a hard week of practice we got to execute that in the game,” Jacobson said.
The Spartans next possession was short lived and they brought out the punting unit once again. Lathrop’s punt went a total of 11 yards, setting up Oakdale’s offense at the Lathrop 31 yard line. Oakdale cashed in on the short field with a 20-yard rush by Bronson Harman making it 28-0 with 1:56 remaining in the half. Along with not allowing a single point, Oakdale’s defense forced three turnovers, had four sacks and held the Spartans to 109 total yards on the evening.
“I think they have become more mature, and understand their assignments. They have always been a big, physical and athletic group, but now they are understanding where they need to be to make the big plays,” head coach Trent Merzon said. “They are eliminating mental mistakes and finishing plays. In the beginning of the season, I think some of the guys were trying to make individual plays, and now they are playing for each other, playing for their brother lining up next to them and that could be why they are improving.”
Oakdale tacked on 14 points in the second half, on a 12-yard rush by Zac Thomas in the third quarter and a three-yard run by Austin England.
This Friday, Oct. 14, Oakdale celebrates Homecoming 2016 when they welcome in East Union (5-1, 2-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. following the Junior Varsity game.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Down 6-0 after the first quarter, Oakdale posted 21 points in the second quarter to go up 21-6 at the half, and won the game 45-18. Caleb Kuppens scored the Colts first two touchdowns and Oscar Ramos answered with two of his own in the road win. Also finding the end zone for Oakdale were Logan Vargas and Justin Jericoff.
FRESHMEN
Oakdale’s young Ponies ponied up in a 47-0 home win over the visiting Lathrop Spartans on Thursday. Leonel Ayala got things started with a 75-yard opening kickoff return for a score, and Oakdale never looked back. Oakdale scored 27 first quarter points in the blowout win. In the quarter, Evan Waite and Bronson England each came down with touchdown receptions from quarterback Steven Morris. Oakdale added 20 more points in the second quarter as Cole Niemi found the end zone on the ground, there was an 80-yard interception return by Jacob Smith and Trevor Smith capped the night off with an 83 yard rushing score. Oakdale hits the road to face the Lancers of East Union on Thursday.
