Between the cap to a perfect season by Oakdale High’s freshman football team and a stunning victory by the junior varsity squad, it was a terrific closing week for Mustang lower level gridiron programs.
Freshmen
In one swift and in one stellar half, the Mustang freshmen became perfect. Oakdale rallied to a 35-0 lead after just two quarters and allowed reserves to ride out a 35-13 win over host Sonora to clinch a 10-0 season on Thursday.
“They were confident, and they knew they could get the job done,” Oakdale coach Steve Jericoff said. “They never stressed about it.”
The Mustangs erupted with a touchdown on the first play of the game when Darus Nelson took a fullback trap for a thrilling 67-yard score. The team would add touchdowns runs from Broderick Medrano, Austin Manning and a scoring toss from Isaac Moreno to Robert Bagley.
“I would have to say that overall there was not a weakness anywhere on the team,” Jericoff said. “There were not any positions that hurt us or any aspect of the game we had to compensate for.”
Jericoff gave serious considerations to his defensive line and the likes of Eric Jackson, Ryan Raham, Gregory Hickman, Bobby DePuy, Pedro Rodriguez and Zac Cordoza.
“At the frosh level usually the defensive line just takes up space,” Jericoff said. “But these kids actually made plays and made tackles.
“That was our biggest strength.”
Junior Varsity
After losses to Sierra, Manteca and Weston Ranch, not much was expected from Oakdale High’s junior varsity squad during a showdown with unbeaten Sonora on Friday — which was a mistake.
Oakdale stunned Sonora with tenacious defense, capitalizing on five fumbles lost by the Wildcats in a thrilling 32-0 home victory by the young Mustangs.
“It was awesome,” Oakdale coach Dave Hill admitted. “I think our kids realized we are better than we played all year. We had a great week of practice and knew how much it would mean to beat Sonora and add a blemish to their VOL title.
“I don’t think they were ready for what we brought to them.”
Frankie Trent rumbled to his second touchdown on fourth down with 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter to give Oakdale the 32-point lead. He ended with 20 carries for 125 yards. Dillon Farquhar chipped in two completions for 40 yards and two scores. C.J. Domingo, Wyatt Hjelm and Kevin Corral also found the end zone.
