Back in 2014-15, the Williams Yellowjackets’ defense was characterized by its “swarm mentality,” and that mindset seems to be reemerging recently as the current ‘Jacket squad has yielded just 18 total points to its last four opponents and, as a result, is on a four-game win streak.
Included in that total is last Friday night’s 34-6 handling of visiting Modoc at McCarl Field, where the ‘Jackets induced two drive-killing turnovers in the red area, forced the Braves to punt six times, and added a pick six for good measure.
The offense had to do its job, as well, and got off to a fast start when Jayr Ramirez ripped off a 25-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, then followed up two snaps later with a 10-yard burst into the end zone for the Yellowjackets’ first points.
Quarterback Sam Lopez, starting in his second straight contest after replacing an injured Omar Lomeli, tacked on the two-point conversion, giving Williams an 8-0 advantage just one minute into the game.
It was just the type of explosiveness head coach Jeff Lemus had hoped to capitalize on as he explained after the game.
“We wanted to get Jayr the ball early,” Lemus said. “He’s too athletic not to have the ball in his hands, and this week, we found a way to accomplish that.”
Although both teams stalled for the remainder of the first quarter, Williams would finish the half strong, scoring twice in a two-minute span, starting with a 13-yard scoring strike from Lopez to Miguel Rivera.
Then, with the clock winding down in the second period, Ramirez made his presence felt again, when after intercepting a pass deep in Braves’ territory, he took the handoff on the ensuing possession, cut to the outside, and raced 85 yards down the sideline to make the score 20-0 in favor of the Yellowjackets.
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Ramirez was impressive all game long for the offense, accounting for 178 yards rushing and averaging 12.7 yards per carry, something the Yellowjackets are thrilled to see given their struggle in the run game over the past few seasons.
In the third quarter, linebacker Antonio Velazquez added to the total when he intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards for the touchdown, after which a Lopez-to-Rivera connection on the two-point try gave Williams a comfortable 28-0 lead.
Still, the ‘Jackets weren’t quite done, when on the last play of the period, Lopez hit a wide-open Rivera in stride for a 71-yard score for the Yellowjackets final points of the game.
Rivera concluded the game with four catches for 114 yards, and two receiving touchdowns, while Lopez completed 14 passes for 197 yards.
While it was a big night for the offense, which rolled up 443 yards, the defense was stellar, containing the Modoc attack, which had averaged over 300 yards and 34 points per game, and drawing praise from Lemus.
“I’m proud of our defense,” the third-year head coach said. “We are getting better and made some great plays tonight.”
That they did, from multiple players including Ramirez, Velazquez, Ty Howell, and Lorenzo Ruvalcaba.
Ramirez made an interception in the red area, had a sack, and collected five tackles, while Velazquez added the pick six to go along with six tackles, and Howell recovered a fumble and was in on seven tackles.
Ruvalcaba led the team in tackles, tallying 11, and additionally intercepted a pass in the end zone.
Yet, it was Mendoza who was the unsung hero, bottling up the middle to thwart the Braves run game, while making eight tackles in the process, which prompted complimentary words from Lemus.
“Oscar is as good as we have,” Lemus said. “Tonight, he might have had the best defensive game he’s had this year at nose guard.”
Also having an impact on defense for the Yellowjackets, was Mateo Gutierrez, a junior transfer from Pierce, who made 14 tackles against Mt. Shasta two weeks ago and recorded another eight last week against Modoc.
Overall, it was a complete team effort for Williams (5-2, 2-0), who also looked good on special teams and significantly cut down on the number of penalties.
Now tied at the top of the Mid-Valley League standings with Willows (3-3, 2-0), the ‘Jackets hit the road on Friday to face the Honkers in a showdown for first place.■
