SPRINGLAKE-EARTH ROUTES BUFFALOES ON THE ROAD, 74-28

The Springlake-Earth Wolverines’ varsity football team pulled off a huge win over Petersburg on Friday, 72-28, to improve to 2-0 in District play, taking over first place in District 2-A Six-Man Division I.

With the win, the Wolverines improve to 4-3 overall on the season.

Petersburg won the toss and elected to kick-off to begin the contest. The Wolverines took over at their own 27-yard line, after a solid return from sophomore, Braxton Ethridge.

On first down, sophomore, Jerry Gallegos, broke loose for a big run, taking the ball into Petersburg territory. Springlake-Earth had to use an early time out with 9:40 to play in the game, and on the next play, Gallegos carried the ball around the left side, before being brought down by Kaden Parraz. A holding penalty on the play backed them up to first and 25, but Roel Fuentes was able to find a lane and sprinted to the endzone for a 38- yard touchdown to put the Wolverines out in front. The kick by junior, Keshan Holmes, was good, making the score, 8-0, with 9:25 to play in the opening quarter.

The Buffaloes took over at their own 36-yard line, after the onside kick was recovered by Saul Vallin. On first and 15, Parraz took a carry to the right, before cutting back to his left on his way to a 44-yard touchdown run. The kick by Neftali Avila was blocked leaving the Wolverines out in front, 8-6, with 9:14 remaining in the quarter.

The Wolverines took over after the kick-off at their own 23-yard line, as junior, Davey Crandall, was sacked for a 10-yard loss on first down. Gallegos hit Fuentes on second and long for a solid gain and on third and 18, Ethridge scrambled to his right, stiff-arming a defender on his way to a 60-yard touchdown run with 7:55 remaining in the opening quarter.

Holmes’ kick was good making the score, 16-6, the Wolverines still out in front.

Petersburg would score again on their next possession, capping off a four-play drive with a 17-yard touchdown run from Parraz. The kick by Avila was good, trimming the lead to two points, 16-14, with 6:20 to play in the first quarter.

The Wolverines offensive momentum, spread to their special teams, as Gallegos took the very next kick-off 67 yards to the house for the touchdown. The kick by Holmes was no good, making the score, 22-14, with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter.

Petersburg took over and was able to take the ball into Wolverine territory on their next possession, but on fourth and long, while scrambling, Avila slipped and was called down for a turnover on downs at their own 36-yard line with 2:38 to play in the first quarter.

A holding penalty after a run by Holmes on first down, backed the Wolverines up to first and 25 from their own 26-yard line, and on the next play, a crack-back block was called on the Wolverines, backing them up to first and 37 from their own 14-yard line.

Ethridge carried the ball on first and long and on second down he hit junior, Evan DeLeon, who was hit late out of bounds, drawing a penalty. The Wolverines had first and 15 at their own 39-yard line, as Holmes carried the ball for 14 yards into Petersburg territory. On the next play, Ethridge connected with Crandall for a first down, taking the ball down to the Buffaloes 15-yard line.

Ethridge and Fuentes carried the ball on back-to-back downs, setting the Wolverines up with a second and goal. Ethridge hit Derek Rosalez, for the six-yard score to extend their lead to, 28-14, after the missed kick by Holmes with under one minute remaining in the quarter.

The Buffaloes took their possession into the second quarter, but their drive was derailed on third and long when Jesus Alvarado was picked-off by Ethridge, who took it the other way for a 30-yard pick-six. The kick by Holmes was blocked, making the score, 34-14, with 9:31 to play in the half.

On the first play of the Buffaloes next drive, the stingy Wolverine defense came away with another interception, as Avila was picked off by Holmes, who took it to the house for a 38-yard pick-six. The kick this time by Holmes was good, making the score, 40-14.

Later in the quarter, the Buffaloes were able to cut into the lead, as they scored on a one-yard run. The kick by Avila was good trimming the lead to, 42-22, with just under four minutes to play in the first half.

The Wolverines answered with a 12-yard touchdown run by Gallegos, followed by the kick from Holmes to push their lead back out to, 50-22, with 2:26 remaining in the half.

The Wolverines were able to recover an onside kick, as Goodman was able to fall on it to give them an extra possession, but on the next play, Gallegos fumbled and it was recovered by the Buffaloes with 2:19 to play in the half.

The Buffaloes had the ball near midfield, but on third and long, Holmes came away with a fumble, rumbling the other way for a 49-yard scoop and score touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The kick was good, making the score, 58- 22, heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Buffaloes came out of halftime with a bit of life as they capped off their opening drive of the second half with a nine-yard touchdown run by Alvarado, but the kick by Avila was blocked by the Wolverines, making the score, 58-28, with 8:55 to play in the third quarter.

Goodman recovered the onside kick try by Petersburg and after the Wolverines were flagged for a false start on first down, Ethridge carried the ball on the next play for a 42-yard touchdown run with 8:40 remaining to make the score, 64-28.

Goodman recovered the onside kick for the Wolverines to give them the ball with first and 15 at the Petersburg 32-yard line. On first down, Ethridge connected with Gallegos for a big gain to the 16-yard line, before Ethridge took it himself on the next play for a 16-yard touchdown run with 8:20 to play in the quarter.

The kick by Holmes was good, making the score, 72-28.

Fuentes came away with a fumble recovery for the Wolverines during the next series, but the Wolverines gave it right back back on the next drive, as Ethridge had the ball jarred loose by the Buffaloes. However, Alvarado fumbled the ball on first down and he was downed in the endzone by Gallegos for a safety to end the game with the score, 74-28.

The Wolverines totaled 357 yards of offense; including 297 rushing yards and 60 passing yards.

Ethridge led the passing attack finishing five-of-five through the air for 60 yards and one touchdown. He also added eight carries for 153 yards and three touchdowns.

Roel Fuentes chipped in three carries for 47 yards and one touchdown, while sophomore, Jerry Gallegos, tallied six carries for 30 yards and one touchdown. Junior full-back, Keshan Holmes, added four carries for 58 yards.

In the receiving game, junior, Evan DeLeon, hauled in one catch for 21 yards, while Gallegos, contributed one catch for 16 yards and junior, Davey Crandall, added one catch for 11 yards.

Defensively, Cain Tovar, led the teams in tackles with seven solo and three assists, while Fuentes added six tackles, three assists and two sacks and junior, Trace Goodman, finished with four tackles, five assists and two sacks.

Holmes added an interception and a fumble recovery, both of which went for touchdowns, while Ethridge also had a pick six and Gallegos was credited with a safety. Fuentes also recovered a fumble.

The Wolverines will host the Nazareth Swifts on Friday as District play continues.

Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.