COLUSA, CA (MPG) –Adding a rivalry element to a contest can heighten the emotion and boost the intensity level, often leaving an impact on the final result.
Such seemed to be the case last Friday night as both Colusa and Williams turned in spirited defensive efforts in a non-conference game where the RedHawks emerged from a first half stalemate to come away with an 18-0 shutout victory over the visiting Yellowjackets.
Defense prevailed throughout the first half, beginning on the first two possessions of the game when the RedHawks stopped the Yellowjackets on a fourth down try only to see Williams return the favor on Colusa’s initial drive.
And while the defensive dominance continued into the second quarter with some big plays by both teams, neither could capitalize.
Highlighting the action was a first quarter interception by Williams’ Luis Hernandez, along with a pick that Julian Garcia made that prevented a potential RedHawk score just seconds before halftime.
However, Colusa came out of intermission strong and building off a long return by Adan Travis, put together an eight-play drive that culminated with the senior running back weaving his way 11 yards into the end zone.
After David Belmontes tacked on the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0, the RedHawks breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded to stop the ‘Jackets on their ensuing possession after Mason Gutierrez came away with the interception.
Seven plays later Colusa put three more points on the board when Eric Gonzalez spilt the uprights with a 26-yard field goal.
Now trailing by 11, Williams responded with its longest drive of the game, but eventually turned the ball over on downs just inside the RedHawks’ 30-yard line with seven minutes remaining on the clock.
From there, Colusa marched down the field and chewed up the clock in the process behind the running of Travis, Gonzalez and Kane Nall, who punctuated the win by bulling his way up the middle for the touchdown.
Travis finished the night carrying 23 times for 111 yards and a touchdown, Nall gained 44 yards on the ground and scored the ‘Hawks second touchdown, while Gonzalez finished with 38 yards.
It was the first win of the season for the RedHawks and it certainly didn’t come easy as Colusa head coach Mikey Badaluco explained, “This was a hard week for us in terms of practice given that we were without our linemen and as a result couldn’t prepare offensively like we wanted to. But, you also have to hand it to Williams because they played hard up front and their big dudes played especially well.”
The RedHawks rolled up 279 total yards of offense to just 130 for the Yellowjackets, but it was really his defense that impressed Badaluco, specifically singling out the play of sophomore call-up Benji Mata.
“Our defense played really well tonight,” said the fourth year head coach. “I was particularly impressed with Benji who we called up on Tuesday. He forced a fumble, had three passes defended and made three big tackles on runs. He was all over the place tonight.”
Gonzalez made his presence felt on defense as well, making a team-high nine tackles, while Chris Ruiz and Damien Arreguin each finished with seven tackles apiece.
As for the Yellowjackets, who despite a valiant effort, suffered their first loss in the season, Coach Forrest Bateman was more than satisfied with the way his team performed.
“We’re making progress,” said Bateman. “We are still very young and it’s hard for us to sustain where we want to be for the whole game. Our defense played incredibly, but we weren’t clean on offense. We still have a ways to go, but we’ll get there.”
Leading the defensive effort was Julio Rosales with 15 tackles and a sack, while Angel Medina made 11 tackles and had a sack as well.
Offensively for the ‘Jackets, Jorge Saavedra ran hard, carrying 18 times for 80 yards.
Tonight Colusa (1-2) heads to Gridley to take on the winless Bulldogs, while Williams (1-2) welcomes Pierce (2-1) to McCarl Field in another rendition of the Rice Bowl.