OAKDALE – The East Union football team had a tough opening assignment on Friday evening.

The Lancers fell behind early and couldn’t keep up with Darus Nelson and Oakdale’s vaunted rushing attack in a 49-13 Valley Oak League-opening loss.

East Union opened the game with a balanced running attack of its own, as starting quarterback Jack Weaver fed the ball to running back Joseph Borba on the team’s first three plays. The drive eventually stalled, giving way to Nelson who led Oakdale’s power run game.

Nelson rushed for well over 200 yards and five touchdowns, including a 5-yard score for the first points of the game.

East Union trailed 28-0 at the half and 35-0 late in the third. That’s when Borba lowered his pads from the 1-yard line on fourth-and-goal to put the Lancers on the board.

The tough outing wasn’t all bad for East Union.

Cornerback Marcus Panelo picked off Mustangs quarterback Adam Olsen and Weaver connected with Austin Miller on a 13-yard touchdown with 5:55 left in the game.

East Union (0-1, 1-3) turns its focus to next Friday’s home tilt versus Kimball.