By Heather Campbell-O’Brien
Bulletin correspondent
East Union came out of the gate hot Friday night, scoring on its first possession. The Lancers would only muster one more score and were dominated by Central Catholic 56-12 in Valley Oak League action at Dino Cunial Field.
“I thought we had a really great week at practice and that first half, I don’t know what team that was,” East Union coach Willie Herrera said. “I thought we were ready to go, but I don’t know what happened. We are better than what is showing, and I know that 100 percent. What is frustrating is we didn’t even get to show it off.
“I know the second half was better, but the silver lining is that we finished well. That first half was not Lancer football, at least not the Lancer football that we’ve been coaching. I like the way that we finished. Kudos to them, (Raiders coach Roger) Canepa and them are first class.”
Fernando Duran pulled in a 5-yard scoring pass from Eric Morales early in the first quarter to give the Lancers (0-3 VOL, 3-4 overall) the early 6-0 lead. 
East Union ran double the amount of plays that Central Catholic (3-0, 3-4) did in the first quarter, but the Raiders were much more efficient, leading 21-6 after the first period and 42-12 at halftime.
Tyler Diaz led the Lancers with 44 rushing yards on eight carries followed by Morales with 36 yards on three carries and a touchdown. Morales ended the night 4 of 14 passing for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Following a 0-4 start thanks to a grueling non-league schedule, Central Catholic now sits atop the VOL with a 3-0 league record.
“We are getting better,” Canepa said. “Willie (Herrera) does a good job and they have good kids. I think they are banged up a little bit but we are starting to get better, so you know they ran into kind of a buzz saw.
“But he does a good job. I like Willie and hopefully they can turn around and get a few wins.”
The Lancers have a bye week next week and will host Sierra on Friday, Oct. 18.

SCORING SUMMARY
East Union 6 6 0 0 — 12
Central Catholic 21 21 7 7 — 56
 
First Quarter
E—Fernando Duran 5 pass from Eric Morales (Run failed), 9:18
C—Minaya Olivo 35 run (David Gallegos kick), 7:42
C—Sithri Price 31 pass from Dalton Durossette (Gallegos kick), 4:18
C—Nic Sani 7 pass from Durossette (Gallegos kick), 2:17
 
Second Quarter
C—Olivo 2 run (Gallegos kick), 8:20
C—Aiden Taylor 5 run (Gallegos kick), 5:02
E—Morales 14 run (Pass fail), 0:12.4
C—Olivo 45 pass from Durossette (Gallegos kick), 0:00
 
Third Quarter
C—Colon 2 run (Gallegos kick), 6:43
 
Fourth quarter
C—Seth Hernandez fumble recovery in end zone (Gallegos kick), 5:38