Corning holds off Las Plumas
Cardinals pick up win in home opener
Alfonso Munoz’s 60-yard scamper to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage to start the second half was the spark for the Corning High football team.
After a stagnant first half that was plagued with penalties committed by both teams, it was the host Cardinals who held off a late surge from visiting Las Plumas High 27-20 on Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.
The game served as the official spring football season opener for both squads.
Las Plumas scored its first touchdown of the night in the opening quarter.
Junior Kyle Brown set up the scoring play after breaking off for a 19-yard run to convert on third- down and 2 to get to the Cardinals 4.
Senior Brennan Brockman then powered up the middle for a Thunderbirds touchdown at the tail end of the first quarter.
A second quarter filled with false starts, offsides and personal foul penalties prevented both teams from developing any kind of rhythm.
Corning’s Junior Solorio recovered an LP fumble at the 9:56 mark. The Cardinals would be stopped on fourth and short at the LP 22 but an unsportsmanlike flag after the play on the Thunderbirds resulted in an automatic first down for Corning.
Within the LP 5, a Corning fumble that trickled into the end zone was recovered
by LP’s Riley Roullett. But the Thunderbirds couldn’t take advantage of the ensuing drive and were forced to punt.
On third and long, Cardinals quarterback Caelan Maeder aired out a pass to Solorio for a 16-yard gain.
Isidro Barajas broke off for a 14-yard run to help set up Dalton McFall’s 3-yard touchdown run. However, a failed PAT kept LP out front 7-6 at halftime.
The start of the third quarter was highlighted by Munoz’s 60-yard touchdown run which swung the lead to Corning’s sideline 12-7.
Later in the quarter, Nico Garcia scrambled to find Gustavo Alfaro who made the falling catch at the Thunderbirds 1-yard line. Angel Diaz would cap the drive with a 1-yard score to push Corning out front 19-7.
The Thunderbirds began to gain momentum late in the third quarter. Roullett, the Thunderbirds quarterback, dumped a pass off to Brockman who took for a 64-yard gain to the goal line. Brockman pounded in a 1-yard touchdown to cut Corning’s lead to 19-14 with 1:12 left in the third.
Corning’s Nick Brown scored the 1-yard touchdown to end a drive that was highlighted by a 14-yard gain from McFall, allowing the hosts to lead 27-20 with 9:18 to go.
LP’s next drive would end in a costly fumble. However, the Thunderbirds found themselves with another chance late in the game.
On fourth down at the LP 7, an incom
plete pass ended with a turnover on downs for Corning.
LP took over with 3:25 left.
Eric Ayala broke off for a 14- yard gain then Roullett found Talon Gramps who made a catch for 20- yard to get closer to Corning territory.
However, a fumble at the Cardinals 36 was recovered by Corning with under a minute to go, allowing the Cardinals to take their home opener.