ELK GROVE — Lathrop ran into one of the top teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section on Friday and ended its non-league schedule on a losing note, getting blanked by host Franklin 56-0 at Cosumnes Oaks High.
The Wildcats (3-0) are ranked No. 10 in the Sacramento area by the Sacramento Bee.
“They are ranked where they are for a reason,” Spartans coach Joe Pirillo said. “They just had us physically outmatched, all the way down to the kicker. All but one of their kickoffs was a touchback.”
The Wildcats jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and stretched it 42-0 heading into halftime.
“The players fought hard,” Pirillo said. “They never quit, never gave up. Franklin is a good team, a great team. It was a great challenge.
“The kids got to see what it is like to see a really good team before we start league. Tonight, we learned and we grew as coaches and players with where we want to go.”
Lathrop drops to 1-2 and starts Valley Oak League play next Friday with the Battle of I-5 against Weston Ranch.