Murphy¹s Law was in full effect for the El Molino varsity
football team on Saturday, as the Lions fell to the Jesse Bethel
Jaguars in their varsity football opener in Vallejo, 24-2.
.It was an afternoon when most everything could and would go
wrong for El Mo, primarily in a mistake-prone first half that
featured four critical turnovers leading to a pair of Jaguar
scores.
Although the miscues sabotaged their hopes for an opening day
win, there were still some bright spots that the Lions can build on
this week.
Turnovers aside, the team didn¹t play badly and the offensive
line and defensive unit had a decent game. Defensive backs Robbie
Spomer and Lucas Golden combined for three interceptions on the
day, while running back Korey Gosselin was the team¹s best weapon
on offense, powering for 76 yards on the ground.
The tone was set midway through the opening quarter when Lion¹s
quarterback Tyler Kozlowski drove the team to the Jaguar five, only
to have disaster strike. An El Mo fumble was picked up by a Bethel
defender and returned 95 yards for the game¹s first touchdown. The
Jaguars added a two-point conversion and the Lions trailed 8-0.
³That play was the turning point,² noted El Mo coach Mike Roan.
³If we get some points on the board right there, it would have
given us some confidence and changed the game.²
El Mo finally drew blood midway through the second period when a
botched snap on a Bethel punt sailed into the Jaguar end zone for a
safety, cutting the deficit to 8-2. But the Lions fumbled the
ensuing kickoff, killing their momentum. Late in the second
quarter, the Jaguars picked off a pass and returned it inside the
Mo five, setting up a four-yard touchdown run. Bethel led, 16-2 at
the half.
The carnage continued early in the third quarter, when a high
snap on an El Mo punt went for a Jesse Bethel safety and an 18-2
advantage. The Jaguars capped the afternoon scoring with a short
touchdown pass for a 24-2 victory.
Kozlowski finished a disappointing day with 10 completions in 26
attempts for 99 yards and a pair of interceptions. Other offensive
leaders included: Gosselin (16-76 yards rushing), Randall Packard
(4-44 yards receiving) and Evan Englar (3-11 yards receiving).
Defensive leaders included: Spomer (3 tackles, 2 interceptions),
Lucas Golden (interception), Packard (5 tackles, 2 assists, caused
fumble, fumble recovery), Nate Fye (5 tackles), Gosselin (4
tackles, 2 assists) and Hopkins (4 tackles, 4 assists). The El Mo
JV fell to Jesse Bethel, 26-13.
The Lions travel to Elsie Allen this Friday, Sept. 15 in a 7:30
non-league clash. The JV kick off the action at 5 p.m.
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