Roundup: Oakdale rolls past Archbishop Mitty in VOL tuneup; Enochs improves to 3-0
The last time the Oakdale High football team pulled out its red and gold camouflage tops was in 2018, when the Mustangs traveled to San Jose to face Archbishop Mitty.
The Mustangs looked better than they played, falling to the Monarchs 42-14.
On Friday night, the Mustangs entered the Corral in their camos in a patriotic nod a day before the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
And on the opposite sideline was Archbishop Mitty.
This time, however, the Mustangs made more than just a fashion statement.
Relying on a high-scoring offense and a tough defense, Oakdale rolled to a 56-13 victory in its final tuneup ahead of what appears to be a highly competitive Valley Oak League season.
“I was struggling all week to get a vibe on this game,” Oakdale coach Trent Merzon said. “Between the COVID stuff, and not knowing who you’re going to lose, and kids getting banged up. But we had everyone this week.”
There was no struggle Friday in a game that mirrored its first two victories this season – a 37-6 win over Sonora and a 48-14 thrashing of Spanish Springs of Sparks, Nevada.
“So far we’ve played really great this year,” said Merzon, whose teams have won 12 of their last 14 games dating back to the 2019 season. “We’re fast. We run around real well.
“And we’ve grown together. We have a real tight-knit group. Our kids usually grow into that. I didn’t see it with this team happening so soon.”
Up next for Oakdale is a 3-1 East Union team, and a VOL that is more than just Oakdale, Central Catholic and Manteca.
Add to the mix Kimball, which is one of four VOL teams ranked among the top 16 teams in MaxPreps’ Sac-Joaquin Section rankings.
The Jaguars blasted Escalon 54-14 on Friday and are squarely in the discussion of league favorites.
“The VOL is unbelievable,” Merzon said.
After next week’s home game against a Lancers team that has scored more than 40 points in each of its three victories, the Mustangs travel to Tracy to play Kimball followed by a return home to play Central Catholic at the Corral on Oct. 1.
Asked if he’s worried about his team possibly looking past East Union, whose victories have come against teams with a combined 2-9 record?
Uhhhhh, no.
Merzon said he’s very aware that EU boasts one of the best quarterbacks in the area in Luke Weaver, who passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two in the Lancers’ 54-7 victory over Atwater on Friday. At the same time, he pointed out that he has very good quarterback in Jackson Holt.
Still, the Mustangs are taking no one for granted.
“Everyone is talking about Kimball and EU (this season),” he said. “We don’t look past anyone. I know some coaches who spend a week getting ready for somebody else. We will spend (Saturday) selling out to the Lancers.”
Enochs 34, Central Valley 14: The Eagles improved to 3-0 and handed Central Valley its first loss since the 2019 season.
Entering the game, the Hawks had the state’s third longest active winning streak among 11-man football teams, according to CalPreps.com. Central Valley had won nine straight dating back to a victory over El Capitan in the final week of the 2019 season.
On Friday, Enochs quarterback Keith Orona completed 15 of 20 passes for 272 yards. He also had six carries for 45 yards and had a hand in three touchdowns.
Enochs began the 2019 with three straight victories before finishing 5-5.
Downey 55, Beyer 8: The Knights won their second game in a row and improved to 2-1 after a dominant win over Beyer. Downey scored most if its points in the first half, causing the game to be played with a running clock starting with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Downey’s defense forced a pick six and blocked a punt for a touchdown.
Hilmar 28, Sonora 21: The Yellowjackets erased a 14-point deficit to deliver a homecoming victory over the Wildcats.
Junior receiver Derek Taylor tied the game 14-14 with a 56-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter and then gave Hilmar the 21-14 lead with a 19-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Cameron Moak with 9:01 left in the game.
Cannon Irelan extended the lead to 28-14 with a 79-yard punt return with 6:49 left on the clock.
Sonora cut the lead to 28-21 with a late touchdown run.
Taylor finished with five catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns and now has seven touchdown catches this season in just three games.
Kimball 54, Escalon 14: The Cougars (3-1) saw their five-game winning streak dating back to last spring end with a home loss against. the Jaguars. Kimball, ranked 16th in MaxPrep’s Sac-Joaquin Section poll, led 12-7 in the second quarter and extended it to 26-7 with a long scoring pass play and an interception return for a touchdown.
Escalon opens its rugged Trans-Valley League schedule next week at Hughson, which played Saturday night at Summerville High.
This story was originally published September 11, 2021 at 12:23 AM.
