What a difference a year makes.

Last season, East Union came to town and the host Oakdale Mustangs and the visiting Lancers battled to a thrilling 71-55 classic at The Corral, with Oakdale winning the game.

This year, Oakdale rolled into Manteca and defeated the Lancers 41-21, this year’s final score accounting for a little under half of last year’s total.

But both went to Oakdale and, for this year’s Mustangs, it was their third straight Valley Oak League victory.

Oakdale led the entire night and used the ground game to punish the Lancers on Friday, Oct. 16. Oakdale rushed for six touchdowns. Oakdale scored first with 6:08 to play in the first quarter as Anthony Navarro carried it in from three yards out. East Union did not break as they tied the game 7-7 when Jesse Martinez scored on a 10-yard reception from quarterback Bryson Ybarra with 30 seconds left in the first quarter.

The first half continued to be competitive as the Mustangs took the lead on Navarro’s second touchdown of the night with 11:33 remaining in the first half. East Union countered when Ybarra threw his second passing touchdown of the half, this time to Gunnar Fay from 16 yards out at the 3:17 mark. Oakdale went into the locker room up 21-14 as Navarro scored his third rushing touchdown of the night with 28 seconds left.

In the third quarter Navarro and the Mustangs began to separate themselves from the Lancers as Navarro tacked on two more rushing touchdowns to go up 35-14 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the two teams swapped touchdowns to end the game. This time, it was Dex Edwards II finding the end zone for the Mustangs.

With the win Oakdale is now tied for first place alongside Central Catholic in the Valley Oak League standings. Next up for Oakdale is a road trip to take on the Manteca Buffaloes who are 3-1 in league play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23.

Oakdale’s junior varsity came away with a 44-22 road win at East Union this past Friday night.