The final score was the same, with both the JV and freshman football Cougars falling in their games to Hughson this past week, each losing by a 7-0 decision.
For the JV boys, their game was on Friday night, Oct. 9 at Engel Field.
Neither team got on the board through three quarters; Hughson scored the only points of the night on a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter and the kick was good, accounting for the 7-0 Huskies win.
“A low scoring defensive battle that we came up short in,” said JV head coach Brant Rose. “Our defense was able to find ways to keep Hughson out of the end zone until their final possession punches one in with under two minutes left in the game.”
The game came down to which team made fewer mistakes, added Rose.
“Our offense turned the ball over on downs twice in the red zone, one on a pivotal possession late in the fourth quarter before Hughson’s game winning drive,” the coach explained. “Ultimately we just did not make the plays in important moments to win the game.”
The freshmen welcomed Hughson to Engel Field on Thursday evening, Oct. 8 and found themselves on the wrong end of the 7-0 score when the final horn blew.
“It was a well fought game by both teams. We told our guys last week that anybody can beat anybody in the TVL,” freshman head coach Nate Caton said. “Other than that, we were missing four of our starters against Hughson due to injuries, school discipline, and a family trip. We had to move things around for our guys in order to create a game plan.”
Defensively, Caton said his team battled but Hughson capitalized on a couple of big plays that got them into the end zone.
Angel Tinoco swatted down a pass that forced an incompletion for Hughson while Danny Arevalo, Eastyn Koops and Gunner McCurley each had a quarterback sack.
“When Hughson punted the ball in the second half, we ended up with the ball for the entire fourth quarter,” Caton said. “Danny Arevalo and Mason Rodriguez ran the ball well, gaining us yards to keep the drive alive.”
Tinoco also ran the ball well, often dragging Hughson defenders with him, while quarterback Frank Borba connected with Jaxxon Kemp for a big first down play late in the game but they couldn’t get it into the end zone.
“I told the boys it was a fight and in every league game, everybody will come out swinging,” Caton said. “Our guys should not leave their heads hanging because they played hard.”
The freshmen will be at Ripon on Thursday, Oct. 15 and the JV plays at Ripon on Friday, Oct. 16.
