East Union High had another tough Valley Oak League outing Friday against Oakdale.

While the Lancers (0-3, 3-4) battled through the better part of the first half, they eventually fell to the Mustangs at Cunial Field, 41-21. The loss is the 33rd straight against Oakdale.

"We have to be focused (on the task at hand)," said EU coach Jason Stock of his team going forward.

Against Oakdale (3-0, 4-3), the Lancers had trouble containing the run. The Mustangs and their Wing-T offense racked up over 480 yards.

Anthony Navarro led the way, reeling off 227 yards and 23 carries, while finding the end zone five times. Dex Edwards II (15-138 yards) added a touchdown, and Andres Ruiz (6-121 yards) also contributed to the East Union woes.

"We not only had to come up with stops, but we needed to capitalize. We can't make those mistakes or turnovers," Stock said.

The Lancers kept pace with Oakdale early on.

The Mustangs opened the scoring by orchestrating a six-play, 54-yard drive capped by Navarro's TD from a yard out.

East Union countered on the following possession, going 68 yards with quarterback Bryon Ybarra hitting Jesse Martinez on a 10-yard scoring strike.

Even at 7-7, Oakdale reclaimed the lead by relying on its ground game. Navarro, who had a big burst up the middle, followed that up by delivering on a 5-yard TD run early in the second quarter.

The Lancers behind Ybarra tied the game up once again with three minutes left before the half — his short pass to Max Abrew resulted in a 16-yard score.

The Mustangs made use on those final minutes, going the length of the field while setting up Navarro's 6-yard TD, Dex Edwards II had the big play with his 29-yard run,

Ahead 21-14, Oakdale tacked on to its lead in the second half with Navarro scoring twice on runs of 14- and 1- yards, and Edwards adding a 2-yard scoring plunge.

Down 41-21, the Lancers put together one last run with Ybarra again connecting with Martinez — this was a 16-yard TD strike for the final score. Ybarra completed 18 of his 21 passes for 274 yards and an interception.

East Union, despite the loss, remains in the running for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoff berth.

"We have to stay focused on the present and not look ahead," Stock added.