It was a busy weekend for Oakdale High School fall sports teams as there were scrimmages featured for both the football and volleyball programs.
The Mustangs headed to Tracy to face off against the Bulldogs in a football scrimmage, which showcased each team’s offense and defense in the red zone, each unit having the opportunity to go against their opponents.
The 2019 gridiron season officially gets underway this week. Oakdale hits the football field starting with a Thursday night game, Aug. 22, when the freshman team will host Sonora at 6 p.m. inside The Corral. Under head coach Rod Long, the freshman team looks to repeat their unbeaten status from a season ago.
The junior varsity and varsity teams, meanwhile, will travel to Sonora to continue their long historic rivalry with the Wildcats. For the junior varsity the future appears bright as they will have a host of players from last year’s freshman team, as well as a few returning sophomores. Oakdale’s JV is coached by Matt Miranda. Kickoff for the junior varsity is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23 in Sonora.
The varsity team is coached by Trent Merzon, and he and his assistant coaches are looking to make a deep playoff run. However, first things first, as they hope to defeat the Wildcats on the road this Friday night. Last year Oakdale finished with a 9-4 overall record with a 4-2 Valley Oak League finish. In the team’s meeting last August, Oakdale blanked the Wildcats 49-0. Following that season-opening loss, the Wildcats finished with a record of 6-5 overall and won the Mother Lode League. Kickoff for the game is scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the junior varsity game.
On the court, the OHS volleyball girls took part in a multi-team scrimmage at Beyer High School in Modesto on Saturday, Aug. 17. Along with the Oakdale freshman, JV and varsity teams, the scrimmage featured Golden Valley, Escalon and host school Beyer. Each school did battle against the other three during the scrimmage. The girls return to action at Cosumnes River College on Saturday, Aug. 24 for the Flock Tournament. This is a varsity tournament only.
Preseason action continues for fall sports when the girls tennis team travels to Turlock to take on the Bulldogs on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.
On Friday, Aug. 23 the cross country team will host its Red and Gold Fox Trot at 3:30 p.m.
Water polo players will also hit the water on Saturday, Aug. 24 when the girls travel to Merced and the boys head to Atwater.