The Sierra High Timberwolves certainly had their moments Friday in the 56-24 Valley League loss to tough Oakdale at Daniel Teicheira Stadium.
They drew first blood, recovering the fumbled opening kickoff and, while failing to capitalize on that turnover, did score the game's first touchdown.
That occurred midway through the first quarter on Saul Contreras' 26-yard run.
But after that, the Mustangs took over, scoring twice in a 25 second span and adding some distance with three more touchdowns prior to halftime.
"There's a reason why they're No. 1," said Sierra coach Chris Johnson. "They play at a level that we aspire."
The Timberwolves (1-2 VOL, 3-4 overall) took a 7-0 lead on the touchdown by Contreras. Sophomore running back Kimoni Stanley set up the score with a 24-yard gain. Jordan Shinn added the extra point kick.
Oakdale (3-1, 6-3) responded by grinding out a long drive capped by Zeke Saffar's 26-yard run.
On the ensuing kickoff, Cameron Burke for the Mustangs came up with the loose ball. Max Moore followed that up with a 30-yard gain to the Sierra 1, scoring on the short run.
Caleb Kuppens ran in the two-point conversion to give his team a 14-7 lead.
Oakdale was back in business on offense following an interception. Saffar's big run helped set up Moore's 4-yard TD run.
The Mustangs scored on all five of their possessions going into the break  — Kuppens had a 13-yard TD late in the second quarter — including Saffar's 87-yard burst on the last play of the half.
Down 35-7, Sierra started off the second half by slowing down some of Oakdale's earlier momentum.
A fourth-down stoppage by defense led by Holden Fishburn gave the Timberwolves the ball at midfield. From there, Stanley broke free for a 49-yard TD.
He scored again on a 72-yard run in the fourth, finishing with over 180 yards in rushing.
Shinn, in addition, booted a 31-yard field goal earlier in the final quarter.
Due to an injury to quarterback Shane Johnson (concussion), senior reserve Tyler Kiser got the nod at behind center.
"That was a tough situation for him," Johnson said. "This was his first-time playing football at any level — hats off to him."
He completed 3 of 11 passes with two picks for 31 yards.

SCORING SUMMARY
Oakdale 14  21  7  14 — 56
Sierra      7   0   7   10 — 24

First quarter
S—Saul Contreras 26 run (Jordan Shinn kick), 3:38.
O—Zeke Saffar 26 run (kick failed), 0:52.6.
O—Max Moore 1 run (Caleb Kuppens run), :27.6.

Second quarter
O—Moore 4 run (Dom McDonald kick), 4:27.
O—Kuppens 13 run (McDonald kick), 2:46.
O—Saffar 87 run (McDonald kick), 0:00.

Third quarter
S—Kimoni Stanley 49 run (Shinn kick), 8:23.
O—Kuppens 35 run (McDonald kick), 6:28.

Fourth quarter
S—Shinn 31 FG, 11:51.
O—Moore 16 run (McDonald kick), 10:47.
S—Stanley 72 run (Shinn kick), 5:32.
O—Anthony Martinez 48 run (McDonald kick), 4:24.