The Timberwolves vs. Oakdale in this Valley Oak League clash Friday had the look and even the feel of fall football.
Even though it was the first week of spring. An added boost was the return of the school band and the cheer squad at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
"Every possession counted in a game like this," said Sierra High coach Chris Johnson following his team's 21-20 loss, a rematch of the 2019 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship game won by the T’wolves.
Both teams seized their opportunities in the first half.
The second half played out much differently. The Timberwolves (1-1) had a bend-but-don't-break defense while the Mustang offense dominated the time of possession.
"Oakdale is a well-coached team -- hats off to them," said Johnson, who was more than aware that even the slightest mistake could play a factor.
Yet it was the Mustangs (2-0) who first coughed up the ball.
Within the first two minutes of the game, Sierra's Ben Wheeler came up with the big play on special teams, recovering a fumble inside the Oakdale 10.
Two plays later, Timberwolves quarterback Ryan Borgeson lofted a touch pass that Christian Threadgill hauled in for a 9-yard score.
Jordan Shinn's extra-point kick gave Sierra the early lead.
But as the case, Oakdale answered back on its next possession.
Quarterback Jackson Holt was quick to put behind an earlier sack by Adrian Horn by connecting on a 36-yard pass play to Jack Kjeldgaard. Zeke Saffarr, who led the ground attack with a game-high 218 yards on 30 carries, capped the 11-play drive with a 1-yard TD run.
Kevin Camelin's PAT tied the game.
Late in the opening quarter, Kimoni Stanley displayed his explosive running style.
Sierra's featured running back spun out of a tackle and sprinted 52 yards before being stopped at the Mustang 6. A few plays later, Borgeson slipped a tackle and stretched out for a 5-yard score.
Trailing 14-7 at the start of the second quarter. Oakdale came up with the big play following Saffarr's 29-yard gain. A Timberwolves' penalty tacked on another 10 yards.
Sierra bounced back with defensive lineman Lorenzo Reyes recovering a fumble.
The Timberwolves were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
The Mustangs bounced back with the big play to deep inside Sierra territory. Saffarr's second TD knotted the game at 14-14.
Borgeson, who completed 7 of his 19 passes for 123 yards, found Zion Bell all alone on the 41-yard scoring strike that put Sierra back in the lead.
The Timberwolves opted for the two-point conversion following a penalty but came up empty.
Furthermore, their hopes of going into the break with a 20-14 lead was dashed when Mustangs rallied in the closing minute of the second quarter.
On the very last play, Holt found Dion Suarez on a 6-yard score. Camelin's kick made it 21-20.
In the second half, Sierra's big chance to pull back ahead occurred midway through the third.
Borgeson broke free for a 56-yard run to the Oakdale 24. The Timberwolves' 42-yard field goal try fell short.
Stanley finished with 125 yards on 13 carries to lead Sierra's ground game. Bell caught five passes for 98 yards.
SCORING SUMMARY
Oakdale 7 14 0 0 — 21
Sierra 14 6 0 0 — 20
First Quarter
S — Christian Threadgill 9 pass from Ryan Borgeson (Jordan Shinn kick), 9:26
O — Zeke Saffar 1 run (Kevin Camelin kick), 4:47
S — Borgeson 5 run (Shinn kick), 46.4
Second Quarter
O — Saffar 1 run (Camelin kick), 4:14
S — Zion Bell 41 pass from Borgeson (run fail), 1:14
O — Dion Suarez 6 pass from Jackson Holt (Camelin kick), .00
