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LANCERS TAME COUGARS
Defense sets tone of East Union's lopsided win
Bulletin sports 2020-21
East Union's Ryland Toves wraps up Weston Ranch's Aaron Vickers Jr. - photo by SEAN KAHLER

Ryland Toves led a tremendous East Union defensive attack that held Weston Ranch to negative rushing yards and 28 total yards as the Lancers rolled to a 53-0 Valley Oak League victory Saturday at Dino Cunial Field. 

“Our coaches prepared us well,” Toves said. “Especially for our seniors, because we don’t know if we will have a game from one week to the next, so we made these four quarters count.” 

East Union coach Willie Herrera credits proper preparation for his team’s defensive effort.

Bulletin sports 2020-21
East Union's Justin Murillo (28) forces Weston Ranch's Rogelio Ruvalcaba (8) to pitch. - photo by Wayne Thallander

“Coach Carlos (Herrera) did a great job with our defense,” Willie Herrera said. “They have some athletes over there and we kind of lucked out when they put the ball on the ground a few times and that can kill you and kill your momentum. That can also lull your defense to sleep, and our guys didn’t go to sleep and give up anything big, thank goodness. We were lucky to keep those playmakers at bay.

“I like how we overcame some of our early mistakes. And we were missing a bunch of guys today, which was a bummer, but I am extremely happy with the guys that did step in and get the job done.”

Luke Weaver had a banner day directing the offense for the Lancers (2-2 VOL), completing 15 of 18 passes for 253 yards with touchdown throws of 4 and 39 yards to Dylan Lee, 5 and 25 yards to Kainoa Ontai and Fernando Duran scoring on a 10-yard hook and ladder after a short completion to Nevin Gonzalez.

Bulletin sports 2020-21
East Union's Kainoa Ontai pulls in a pass behind a Weston Ranch defender - photo by Wayne Thallander

Our offense played really well,” Weaver said. “Our offensive line kept the pace going. They didn’t get tired — they have been well conditioned and have been working their tails off. Our receivers have been playing great and we have been working on our tempo.

“I have a lot to work on with the turnovers but our offense overall has just been playing really well.”

Johntae Maggard racked up 156 yards on 17 carries for East Union with 1- and 5-yard scoring runs. Russell Ard capped the days scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run late in the game.

“I have been working hard in practice,” Maggard said. “So when it comes to game time I worked on holding onto the ball and giving it my all. 

“I love my linemen for letting me run through the holes.”

Lee made a fumble recovery with teammates Zelmar Vedder making an interception and Corwin Snyder grabbing a fumble recovery.

The Cougars (0-2 VOL, 1-2 overall) had problems getting their offense going with 12 plays going for negative yardage. 

“We have a lot of injuries this year,” Weston Ranch coach Ron Wayman said. “We had two freshman quarterbacks today, but you have to give it to these kids for the heart they have. 

“But like I always say, you have to give it to the coaches on the other side. But I am proud of the way our guys stepped up and played hard to the last play.”

Namir Brown-Sanger made an interception for the Cougars.


SCORING SUMMARY

Weston Ranch    0 0   0   0 — 0

East Union          12 8 19 14 — 53


First quarter

E — Johntae Maggard 1 run (run fail), 4:20

E — Dylan Lee 4 pass from Luke Weaver (pass fail), :01


Second quarter

E — Fernando Duran 10 pass from Weaver (Tyler Diaz run), 11:08


Third quarter

E — Maggard 5 run (Miguel Martin-Garcia kick), 11:03

E — Kainoa Ontai 5 pass from Weaver (kick fail), 6:50

E — Dylan Lee 39 pass from Weaver (kick fail), 4:21


Fourth quarter

E — Ontai 25 pass from Weaver (Martin-Garcia kick), 11:45

E — Russell Ard 14 run ( Martin-Garcia kick), 2:57