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Mustangs Trounce Lathrop, Prep For East Union Battle
10-13 OAK FB2
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Emotional on-the-field scuffles and a robot-dancing mascot added some drama to Friday’s Valley Oak League meeting between Oakdale High and host Lathrop on Friday, but Oakdale carried all of the scoreboard momentum in a 49-0 blowout.

Oakdale led 28-0 after a quarter and 42-0 at the half, letting reserves finish out a one-sided win over a program in their first year with seniors.

The win propels Oakdale to a 4-2 overall record and a 3-0 start to league play. Things heat up a bit on Friday when the Mustangs take on 5-1 East Union (2-1 VOL) at The Corral.

Oakdale took a quick lead over Lathrop after early touchdowns from Daniel Linder (two scores), Marcus Hernandez (two scores) and Marcus Northcutt.

The Mustangs recovered an onside kick after their second score, and held Lathrop to nearly no time of possession in the opening period of play.

Hernandez’ second touchdown widened Oakdale’s lead in the third, and a thrilling interception returned for a touchdown by Vince Thompson made it a six-score lead at the break.

Oakdale’s last game that looks to be an easy one on the league docket is an Oct. 22 meeting with 0-6 Weston Ranch. Between this week’s clash with East Union and the final two match-ups with Manteca and rival Sonora, Oakdale faces three teams with a combined 16-2 overall record.

Oakdale was picked to finish second in league play in a Sept. 24 Manteca Bulletin media poll that included votes from the Oakdale Leader, Stockton Record, Modesto Bee and Sonora Union Democrat.

Manteca (44 points), Oakdale (42) and Sonora (39) were expected to finish first, second and third respectively.

Coincidently, all three teams sit with an undefeated league record. Sonora topped Weston Ranch, Lathrop and Kimball in a series of one-sided games, but squares off with Manteca (26-20 victors over Sierra) in a big VOL showdown this week.

East Union’s only blemish on the season came in a 30-28 last-second loss to Sierra on Oct. 1. The team ousted Weston Ranch in 31-21 fashion last week.

Most of the Lancer attack centers on senior quarterback Teejay Gordon, who ran for a game-high 115 yards and completed 13 of 16 passes for 120 more last week.

The Oakdale vs. East Union varsity game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.