Galt, Liberty Ranch looking to win Dairy Bowl
GALT — After five preseason games, Galt looked like it could make some noise in the Sierra Valley Conference.
During that same time, Liberty Ranch played a tough schedule that looked like it would help in conference action.
But today, each team is looking to end its regular season with a victory in the annual Dairy Bowl game. Galt and Liberty Ranch will meet at Hawk Stadium for their crosstown meeting that is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Galt will be the visitors and Liberty Ranch will be the home team.
Since the series started in 2010, Liberty Ranch has won the last seven games. Galt won 50-14 over this city’s second high school in their first-ever meeting in 2010.
“I know this is traditionally the hardest played game for these two teams all year,” said first-year Galt coach Tim Cobleigh. “We’re just preparing them to play their best.”
Added Liberty Ranch coach Anthony Linebaugh, “It’s al-
ways good to play at home. That being said, both teams have played at Hawk Stadium and know the facility well.”
In an SVC game at Hawk Stadium on Oct. 19, Union Mine (4-0 in the SVC, 4-4), which lost all of its preseason games, ran past Galt (0-4 in the SVC, 4-5) by a 43-13 score.
The Warriors had started their season with a 4-1 record that included a come-from-behind 35-34 win over Valley of Sacramento, plus wins over Linden, Mira Loma of Sacramento and Franklin. The five teams that include Galt’s opener against Fortuna from the North Section have a combined record of 13-32.
“The SVC is a good league; it’s a tough game every Friday night,” Cobleigh said. “Kids have played hard all season. Unfortunately, we have suffered some injuries; some season ending and some the kids are playing through. But we give it 100 percent.”
Liberty Ranch (1-3 in the SVC , 3-6) struggled on the road last week. Playing at Rosemont (2-2 in the SVC, 5-4) in Sacramento, the Hawks watched the Wolverines jump out to an early lead. Liberty Ranch rallied in the second half, but Rosemont notched a 35-24 win.
“Each SVC game has been different,” Linebaugh said. “One was back and forth, and in another we went up early and had to deal with a comeback by another team. In two others we got behind and came back in one but did not in another. The league has been wide open this year.”
Galt’s offense has averaged 27.7 points per game this season. The Warriors’ offense starts with junior quarterback Robert Bulahan Jr., who has completed 122 of 230 passes for 1,533 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Some of the Warriors’ other offensive weapons are running backs Jonah Delrio (701 yards), Anthony Sanchez and Bryan Velasco. Hauling in passes for Galt are Marcelo Lopez (501 yards and 10 touchdowns), Zachary Cirac and Sanchez.
“It is a very talented group, one which poses several challenges defensively because you have many players involved in the offense,” said Linebaugh of the Warriors. “All are capable of making contributions and can do so running the ball and in the passing game.”
Liberty Ranch’s offense has generated an even 28 points per game in its nine games. Leading the way for the Hawks are quarterback Matthew Hopper, who has scored almost a half-dozen touchdowns in the last two games. Running backs Gabriel Nino (858 yards, six combined touchdowns), Jonathan Thomas and Daryn Harper have contributed during the season.
“The kids know how good these young men are, and are excited to face them,” said Cobleigh of the Hawks.
The future appears to be bright in this small city. Both the Galt and Liberty Ranch junior varsity teams have overall records of 5-2-2 and 6-2 respectively.
“It’s good to see success for both programs at the younger levels,” Linebaugh said. “That represents optimism for the future.”
Cobleigh added, “From what I understand, the total population of incoming freshman the last two years has been the largest in quite some time. (That) leads to more total possible football players available to both schools. It just happens that they all seem to be good football players.”
Next year’s game is projected to be played at Warrior Stadium, which was built in 1965. The stadium is going through renovation that continued his week when the grass at the stadium was removed to make room for an all-turf field similar to what Liberty Ranch has at Hawk Stadium. The new home stands and press box have been installed.
Along with the new turf at Erv Hatzenbuhler Field, which was named after the former winning Galt football coach during his two tenures of 1967-89 and 2003-05 in 2006, Warrior Stadium will have an all-weather track and field installed, plus visitor stands. The stadium’s snack bar and bathrooms are expected to be remodeled, plus the scoreboard to be fully functioning.