Game of the Week: Trojans run past Mikes, 42-7
Dave Stofcheck
California’s Jonathan Wood slips by Carmichaels’ Jake Lowry as teammate Nick Mundell comes in to make the stop during Friday’s Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium.
Dave Stofcheck
Carmichaels’ Dylan Wilson attempts to tackle California’s Cochise Ryan during last Friday’s Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium. The unbeaten Trojans defeated the Mikes, 42-7, to take over sole possession of first place in the conference, and now face perennial power Rochester tonight in a non-conference clash.
Carmichaels' Chad Ruse (3) and California's Cochise Ryan go up for the ball during Friday's Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium.
Carmichaels' Dylan Wilson eyes up California's Cochise Ryan for a tackle during Friday's Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium.
Carmichaels' Jake Turner blocks for Kevin Kelly during Friday's Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium.
Carmichaels' Kevin Kelly passes to Brennen Pelzer during a Tri-County South game against California at Trojans Stadium on Oct. 6. Pelzer rushed for two touchdowns in the Mikes' key win at Fort Cherry last Friday night and Kelly threw a 34-yard touchdown pass. The victory clinched second place in the Tri-County South for the Mikes, as well as a home playoff game for the second year in a row.
Carmichaels' Jake Lowry pursues California's Jonathan Wood during Friday's Tri-County South game at Trojans Stadium.
COAL CENTER — First things first.
California’s 42-7 win over Carmichaels Friday night will go a long way towards allowing the Trojans to tuck the Tri-County South title into their back pocket.
Junior running back Jelani Stafford bull-dozed his way to four scoring runs as California raced out to a 35-0 halftime lead.
The victory was California’s first over Carmichaels since 2011, and it puts the Trojans in the driver’s seat for their first conference championship since 2006.
“We’re a pretty good football team,” Trojans coach Darrin Dillow said. “Our first goal was to make the playoffs. Then the goal is to win the conference. Then, we want to get into the playoffs and hopefully win as many games as we can.”
California’s formula for success this season has been simple: a trap here, a toss there, maybe an occasional triple option.
That recipe, no matter how bland it sounds, has in large part led to California’s unblemished record.
It has also led the Trojans to a top-five Class A ranking, and a meeting with one of the classifications perennial powerhouses.
Not long after California’s business-like victory over Carmichaels, a tired-looking Stafford set the stage for what could be one of the biggest non-playoff games involving a Tri-County South team in decades.
“We talked about the Carmichaels game during the week being the biggest game in the history of our program,” Stafford said. “But next week? Rochester? That may be the deal breaker.”
The Rams and Trojans will butt heads next Friday in a non-conference contest that will pit two of Class A’s title hopefuls against one another.
Rochester was unbeaten and ranked No. 3 in the state before losing to Our Lady of Sacred Heart Friday night.
Still, the game carries much significance to a California team that has designs on playing deep into November and perhaps beyond.
“We feel that people take us lightly,” Stafford said. “Next week will determine what kind of season we are going to have.”
Stafford opened the scoring against Carmichaels with a two-yard run, then tacked on three more touchdowns in the second quarter.
At halftime, California (7-0, 5-0) had 263 yards of total offense, and the Trojans defense had not allowed a first down.
“We didn’t look past this game,” Dillow said. “Carmichaels has a very good football team.”
Six different players carried the ball in the first half as California ground out 13 first downs.
“They’re (California) as good as advertised,” Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull said. “They run the dive, the option, the toss … that’s what they do.”
Carmichaels (4-2, 4-1) must regroup and refocus if it hopes to earn a potential first-round playoff game on its home field.
“We have Jefferson-Morgan up next,” Krull said. “They’re five minutes down the road and a big rival. There’s a lot of things we have to clean up. But we’ll get back to work and we’ll get better.”
Tri-County South
Carmichaels 0 0 0 7 — 7
California 14 21 7 0 — 42
First Quarter
CAL: Jelani Stafford 2 run (Dustin Mock kick)
CAL: Cochise Ryan 6 run (Dustin Mock kick)
Second Quarter
CAL: Jelani Stafford 6 run (Dustin Mock kick)
CAL: Jelani Stafford 14 run (Dustin Mock kick)
CAL: Jelani Stafford 1 run (Dustin Mock kick)
Third Quarter
CAL: Jonathan Wood 18 run (Dustin Mock kick)
Fourth Quarter
CARM: Jacob Lowry 38 run (Christian Mori kick)
Records: California (5-0, 7-0), Carmichaels (4-1, 4-2).