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Oakdale Smashes Weston Ranch, 56-14
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“It’s all next week fellas.”Those were the words from Oakdale High head football coach Trent Merzon as his team huddled at the south end zone at the Weston Ranch stadium after a 56-14 drubbing of the Cougars.Merzon was, of course, referring to this week’s highly anticipated Valley Oak League showdown between the undefeated Mustangs (7-0 overall, 4-0 VOL) and perennial league power, Manteca (5-2, 3-1).Despite a league loss to Sierra three weeks ago, Manteca can claim a likely piece of the VOL title with an upset over the host Mustangs.But Oakdale doesn’t lose in The Corral, at least not often. The team sports an undefeated streak of home victories that spans from 2000 until now.It’s an accomplishment that Merzon and Co. are certainly proud of, and they don’t want to see the streak slip quietly into the night.“We have to go out and defend that streak every time we play at home, and I tell you it’s fun,” Merzon said. “Now we are getting ready to play the most talented football team in the area.”The Buffaloes have been hugely impressive in each of their last two VOL contests. The team bounced Sonora 37-13 two weeks ago and ousted Ceres 41-0 on Friday.The team is led by savvy and powerful runner, Marquis Miller, who earned recognition as one of California’s top prep prospects with a busy summer schedule of combine workouts.Miller had 160 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in the win over Sonora. Manteca quarterback Mike Barber completed 10-of-12 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns in the same contest.Barber’s top target is lanky playmaker Reggie Bell, who returned two punts for touchdowns against Ceres on Friday. The combination of Miller, Barber and Bell will certainly be the focal point of an Oakdale defense that has yet to suffer a lapse this season.The Mustangs held Weston Ranch to just 11 rushing yards on Friday, and capitalized on power running by both Devin Brooks (10 carries, 179 yards) and Tim House (10 carries, 71 yards).Oakdale defensive back Nate Madsen had two big interceptions against Weston Ranch, as the team attempted to get the ball to Cougar track star Angell Mayfield. The six foot, three inch defender is looking for the same type of production against Manteca.“It felt good to get those picks,” Madsen said. “I just read it and made the play.”Madsen and Co. will kickoff at 7 p.m. BOX SCORE Oakdale 56, Weston Ranch 14Oakdale                 21 28 7 0— 55Weston Ranch     0 0 0 14— 14First quarterOakdale—Blake Raham 9 run, (Kyle Derby kick) 5:40Oakdale – Devin Brooks 30 run (Derby kick) 4:00Oakdale – Tim House 16 run (Derby kick) 1:17 Second quarterOakdale – Daniel Linder 4 run (Derby kick) 11:02Oakdale – Brooks 38 run (Derby kick) 6:13Oakdale - House 14 run (Derby kick) 4:59Oakdale - Daniel Gazdik 3 fumble recovery (Derby kick) 2:38 Third quarterOakdale – Tanner Traub 57 run (Derby kick) 5:14Weston Ranch - Angell Mayfield 2 pass from Allen Embry (pass failed) 3:15 Fourth quarterWeston Ranch - Robert Gonzales 15 pass from Embry (Gonzales catch) 6:49 GAME STATS OAK       WRFirst Downs                           16           12 Total Net Yards                   415         211Rushing Yards                      415         11Passing Yards                       0              200Turnovers                              2              4