Oakdale can’t overcome costly miscues in loss to Manteca
Oakdale coaches and players were already preparing.
With Manteca having a long third-down play, the Mustangs knew they would have one final drive, down by three points with a little over two minutes left in the game.
After the Buffaloes punted, coach Trent Merzon gave junior quarterback Jackson Holt the play.
However, the drive was a microcosm of Oakdale’s offense on Friday night.
There was a drop, an overthrow by Holt, and a blown assignment by the line as the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs.
Manteca ran out the clock and beat Oakdale, 26-23, in a Valley Oak League contest.
“We just missed some opportunities but played our butts off,” Merzon said. “We had some miscues.”
Oakdale hosts Ripon next Friday in the final week of the regular season.
With 17 juniors starting, there was frustration on the sideline as players ran the wrong routes and running backs missed some wide open holes.
On defense, the Mustangs (3-1) made the same mistake multiple times, allowing Manteca (4-0) junior running back Lyon Colon run wild.
Colon had 20 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run on the game’s first play.
“We fought and fought but they were just good at what they do,” Merzon said.
Colon also had touchdown runs of 22, 25, and 70, attacking the miscommunications by the Oakdale defense.
Trailing 8-0 early, the Mustangs had to adjust to the deficit and to 15 mph wind gusts.
Junior Yahir Ayala scored on a 7-yard run to give Oakdale its first touchdown with 10:18 left in the half. Junior Kevin Camelin made a field goal late in the quarter and the Mustangs led 10-8 at half.
Colon, a Central Catholic transfer, had two touchdown runs in the third and Oakdale’s offense struggled until Holt found senior tight end Nick Jeffrey for a 10-yard touchdown early in the fourth. The two connected for a 37-yard touchdown in the fourth as well.
Despite the loss, Merzon said it was a positive learning experience for his young team and noted much-needed work before facing Ripon.
This story was originally published April 9, 2021 at 10:57 PM.
