WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – With a large homecoming crowd gathered at McCarl Field last Friday night, the Williams Yellowjackets got off to a fast start, but eventually were worn down by the relentless ground attack of the visiting Biggs Wolverines and fell 14-28.
And, while the result was disappointing, there were many positives to take away from the ‘Jackets performance, starting in the first quarter.
Although Biggs elected to take the opening kickoff and proceeded to march down the field to the Williams 32-yard line, a holding penalty, and a Cesar Flores tackle for a loss, put the Wolverines in a fourth and long situation.
On the ensuing play, Biggs threw one of the two passes it attempted in the game, but it was incomplete, giving the ball to the Yellowjackets at midfield.
With its first possession, the ‘Jackets aided by a facemask penalty that took the ball down to the 35-yard line, put the game’s first points on the board six plays later when Kyden Bowen scored on a keeper from two yards out with 3:03 remaining in the period.
Yet, the Wolverines responded quickly on their second series, moving 45 yards in three plays and into the red zone at the Williams 15.
However, the ‘Jacket defense rose to the occasion again when Jonathan Gutierrez forced a fumble that was recovered by Damien Camarena to stop the drive and bring the quarter to an end, with Williams leading 7-0.
While the two teams traded turnovers early in the second quarter, Biggs took its first lead of the game after scoring on an 18-yard run and then tacking on the two-point conversion with nearly five minutes remaining until the half.
Williams did make things interesting in the final minute though as they drove to the Wolverine 35 after catches by Jose Martinez and Daniel Brunner but could get no closer and went to intermission down 7-8.
Nevertheless, halftime served the Yellowjackets well, as they came out with a big play to start the third quarter, as Bowen tossed a short pass to Brunner, who did the rest, out-racing the defense for a 76-yard touchdown to give his team a 14-8 advantage.
It was the second straight game Brunner eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark, as he caught six passes for 105 yards against Biggs.
Unfortunately, it would be the final points of the night for Williams, as they struggled to contain the Wolverines’ wishbone offense that rolled up 451 yards on the ground and scored 20 unanswered points in the second half.
The ‘Jackets did have a chance to close the gap with seven minutes left in the contest, however a no-call on potential pass interference changed the momentum in favor of the Wolverines for good.
After the game, Coach Forrest Bateman acknowledged that his team’s miscues limited its opportunities, but also pointed out that the program is continuing to progress.
“Tonight, because of our mistakes, we were not able to hold the momentum; it was start and stop for us,” said the first-year head coach. “It’s hard to beat a team that plays that style when you make mistakes, but football is hard. Still, we are making strides and good things are happening. These guys practice hard and every single player on both the JV and varsity squads made grades. We are getting there; it just takes a little time.”
For the offense, which turned the ball over twice on the night and was unable to capitalize on four Biggs turnovers, Bowen completed 17 of 31 passes for 202 yards, Alejandro Hernandez carried six times for 55 yards and Martinez hauled in six passes for 66 yards.
Ian Rosales recovered a fumble in the first half and Flores got another in the second half, while Miguel Villanueva picked off a pass.
Williams (2-5, 1-1) looks to get back on track this evening when it heads north to take on Willows.
