Central Catholic continues to roll, routing Oakdale ahead of VOL showdown vs. Manteca
The Central Catholic High football team is finding its groove and it couldn’t come at a better time.
After a loaded non-league schedule, the Raiders won back-to-back Valley Oak League games, setting up a matchup with storied rival Oakdale. Both came in 2-0 in league play, tied with Manteca for the league lead.
Both teams knew what was on the line Friday night. For the winner, a shot at the VOL title — the Raiders are looking to defend their league crown while the Mustangs search for their first since 2017. Awaiting the loser, third place at best.
The Raiders asserted themselves early, showing that their 1-4 preseason record didn’t define the type of team they had grown into. They extended their streak to three with a 35-7 win over Oakdale.
“It’s a win,” Raiders coach Roger Canepa said. “3-0 and (we’re) back to .500. It’s nice.”
The Raiders (4-4, 3-0 VOL) wasted no time jumping on the Mustangs (6-2, 2-1).
Brooklyn Cheek intercepted a pass from Oakdale quarterback Mickey Merzon in Mustang territory. That set up the Raiders for a two-play drive that ended in the first touchdown, a Tyler Jacklich 13-yard run.
“I just want to thank my linemen,” said Jacklich who finished with 215 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. “If our line can execute and hit our blocks and that hole is open for me, … I run hard and I love running into people and I don’t like going down.”
After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing Oakdale possession, Tyler Wentworth found Joel Roberts for their second touchdown in 4 1/2 minutes. The Raiders ended a dominant second half with a 71-yard touchdown run by Jacklich and a 50-yard deep pass from Wentworth to Jaelen Nichols as time expired.
Central Catholic went into halftime ahead 35-0.
Wentworth completed 9 of 16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Gabe McDonald and Jace Rau paced the Mustangs’ ground attack. McDonald had 18 carries for 95 yards and scored Oakdale’s only touchdown on a 1-yard run around the right side. Rau led the team with 115 yards.
After giving up five first-half touchdowns, the Oakdale defense didn’t surrender a point in the third and fourth quarters.
“We played better in the second half but we just came out (in the first half) and waited,” Oakdale coach Trent Merzon said. “You can’t wait against a great team and they are a very good football team.”
The Raiders defense was as good as it’s been all season, forcing four punts, one interception and a failed fourth-down conversion in the first half and allowing just the one McDonald score in the second.
“That’s the best defense we’ve played all year,” Canepa said. “We’re getting better every week. (Oakdale) is a good team. They’ve been averaging 50-something points and we held them to seven.”
There are only two unbeaten VOL teams left.
Manteca (7-0, 3-0) hosts the Raiders next week after beating East Union 62-6 on Friday. Like Oakdale, Manteca averages more than 50 points per game. The Buffaloes have scored 55 or more in their past five games.
Central Catholic is undefeated against Manteca in their past seven matchups but things have continued to go the Buffaloes’ way this season.
“We’re hyped,” Jacklich said. “It’s gonna be for the VOL title so we’re going to go in there with a lot of energy. We’re definitely going to practice hard this week.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2022 at 8:32 AM.
