Wolves run over Raiders to remain undefeated
Thanks to another strong defensive team effort an outstanding rushing performance from the Wolves, led by running backs Mason Thomas and James Thompson, Woodland High School was able to comfortably beat River City 40-7 and improve to 3-0.
After two close road games to start the season, a home blowout was just what the Wolves needed to get to another gear.
The non-league clash Friday night was a special occasion for Woodland High School as it was the first fall home football game for the Wolves in nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic caused football to be played in the spring last school year.
While everyone felt they were lucky and grateful to have a team, there is just no substitute for cool Friday nights, with even colder weather on the horizon.
“It was great,” said Woodland High School head football coach Javier Marin. “It felt really good to be back home with a fall crowd. Feels great our students and community are back. Our players
are happy we got to play in front of a full capacity crowd.”
After trading a few punts to start the game, the Wolves would get on the board first on a threeyard run up the middle from James Thompson. Big-time gains from quarterback Santana Munoz and Mason Thomas would set the Wolves up inside the five before their eventual score.
On the very next Wolves possession, they looked to double their lead as the thumping Thompson had a chance inside the fiveyard line once again. This time, however, he would fumble the ball right at the one-yard line. The ball would roll into the endzone, where Raiders defender readily jumped on the ball for a touchback and get possession at the 20-yard line.
Luckily for the Wolves, River City was forced to punt. But, unluckily for the Wolves, punt returner Josh Prigge would fumble the punt giving River City the ball at midfield.
Two straight touches turning into fumbles would normally crush a team, but the Wovles defense stepped up once again and were able to force another punt.
“Much credit to our defense tonight. It was really good,” Marin said. “Back to back games, we have a shutout. I’m looking forward to continuing this success on the defensive side. Coach Gallagher and the defensive staff do a great job during the week to make sure our players are in the best position to stop the other team.”
While it was only a 7-0 lead, one got the feeling the Wovles defense would not allow River City to go on a sustained drive, so the offense could stay calm and continue to establish the run. A running game paired up with a strong defense is usually an indicator you’ll win the game, especially at the high school level.
After the River City punt, the Wolves found themselves once again inside the Raiders 10-yard line. With under a minute left in the half, Munoz dropped back to pass and found James Thompson for an 8-yard touchdown, who more than made up for his earlier fumble, doubling the Wolves’ lead at 14-0.
“We started that first half a little slow, but that defense once again was lights out,” Marin said. “I am happy with how we responded in the second half. We just had those little hiccups on special teams. River City did not give up. They played their hearts out, so credit to them. I’ve been on the other side.”
After trading a few possession following the halftime break, River City lined up to receive a punt. A streaming Carter Imbach would fly down the field and somehow recover a fumble on the return leading to the Wolves starting another drive in great field possession.
After a flag pushing the Wovles back into their half, Thomas would receive a pitch and run for an electric 20-yard scamper to set the Wolves up at the eightyard line.
On the very next play, Thomas would finish off what he started and score his first rushing touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 21-0 with just over a minute left in the third quarter.
Thomas was just getting started. On the Wovles very next play, he would run up the middle and break a few tackles on his way to a 48yard touchdown run, his second on the night. With the score 28-0, the result was no longer in question.
Jonathan Thompson would get in on the fun with a 14-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-0 before running back Ethan Hines scored from one yard out late in the game to make it 40-7.
River City was able to get a consolidation score when they returned a kick-off for a touchdown before the Wovles scored their final touchdown. The defense could take solace in their performance, knowing that they were not the ones to allow the touchdown.
“We have to improve our special teams next game,”
Marin said. “Two games now we have allowed kickoff returns, so we just need to clean that up. The kids are excited to run down the field, but in that excitement, they have to be able to play assignment-based football with squeezing and breaking down, and we are not doing that.”
Up next for the Wolves will be another home game that will be Woodland’s homecoming, when they host Armijo, who will hope to play better in their second game against a team from Woodland after losing to Pioneer 44-6 in week two. The kick-off is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Pioneer High School
The Patriots did not play this week due to a cancelation. However, they are set to hit the road next week to take on Rio Americano in Sacramento. The game is set for either Thursday or Friday, and the kick-off will be scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Woodland Christian School
The Cardinals will have their second home game of the season when they host Millennium Friday. The kick-off is set for 7 p.m.