WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – In football taking a workman-like approach includes players focusing on execution rather than flashy plays, diligently performing their specific roles and grinding out games.
It is precisely the mentality that the Williams football team has adopted this season, and it paid off again as they overcame a penalty-ridden first half to shutout visiting Mt. Shasta 14-0 at McCarl Field last Friday night and claim its second victory in as many games.
game against Mt. Shasta.
For head coach Forrest Bateman, the identity suits the ‘Jackets and is one that is pervasive not only on his squad, but is also emerging at the Jr. ‘Jacket level as well.
“There is really a culture change going on here and it’s exciting,” said Bateman after the game. “From the pee-wees on up we are playing Williams’ football, which means bring your hard hat and lunch pail and be ready to go. It’s smashmouth, physical football and I’ve never seen anything like it in the time I have been here.”
Setting the tone was the defense, which made two first half stands in the red zone against Mt. Shasta and then after intermission, completely dominated the Bears.
closes in.
Playing like a man possessed, junior linebacker Ricardo Medina spent as much time in the Mt. Shasta backfield as the Bear players, finishing the night with 21 total tackles, 11 of which were for losses including six sacks, then additionally caused two fumbles.
Of course, Medina got plenty of help from fellow linebacker Rigoberto Ramirez who made 12 tackles and Julian Rosales who accounted for nine as Williams held the visitors to just 100 yards of total offense.
Yet, it was a necessary effort as the Jackets never really got going offensively until the second half due to most of their big plays being called back on penalties.
Nevertheless, the physical toll the Yellowjackets exacted with their ground attack started to open up the game for the offense after intermission.
Starting with its second possession of the third quarter, Williams took advantage of good field position when a Bear punt ricocheted off one of its own players, putting the ‘Jackets in business at the Mt. Shasta 30.
From there after three straight handoffs to Jorge Saavedra, the Yellowjackets faced a fourth and three and were able to convert when quarterback Matthew Cervantes hit Varion Gonzalez on a short route, and Gonzalez did the rest, weaving his way into the end zone for the game’s first points.
Gonzalez would also play an important role on the ensuing defensive series, when he brought an end to the Bear’s drive, sacking quarterback Nick Mangrum for a significant loss.
Building on that momentum, the ‘Jackets needed just three plays to add to their point total as Cervantes tucked in behind the line to score from three yards out.
Although still a close game, Williams shut the door on any idea the Bears might have had for a comeback on their subsequent possession with back-to-back sacks by Medina and Daniel Preciado, which put the ball back in the hands of the Yellowjacket offense.
With just over three minutes remaining on the clock, Williams turned to Saavedra and Julian Garcia, who secured enough yardage for a first down and allowed the Yellowjacket offense to ultimately run out the clock in victory formation.
Cervantes, with a 147.9 quarterback rating on the night, led the offense throwing for 73 yards and a touchdown in addition to gaining 42 yards on the ground and another score.
Garcia ran six times for 60 yards, Saavedra finished with 55 on nine carries, as the ‘Jackets, for the second week in a row, eclipsed the 200-yard mark rushing.
Still, if Williams intends to compete against some of the tougher teams that loom on the horizon, they have to clean up the penalties, something Bateman has confidence that his team will do saying, “This week we got rid of the turnovers we had against Willows and now we need to get rid of the penalties.”
With two wins under their belt, the Yellowjackets look to do something they haven’t done since 2014, which is to beat the Colusa RedHawks, the team they entertain tonight.