Defense, ground game lead Y.C. to win

ELK GROVE – Yuba City High football coach John Ithurburn watched his Honkers knock on the door for most of the first half in Friday's season opener against Cosumnes Oaks – that door was finally knocked down in the second quarter.

Max Flores, a speedy defensive back, picked off a pass and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. That sparked two more Honkers touchdowns and Yuba City went on to post a 20-0 win.

"We just kept banging at the door," Ithurburn said. "We just couldn't put it in the end zone (early). Max got that interception and it just sparked us."

With his head turning in the direction toward a Cosumnes Oaks wide receiver, Flores, a senior, tipped the ball, hung on to it and rocketed 56 yards with 2:06 left in the second quarter. The extra-point kick was blocked and the Honkers took a 6-0 lead into the locker room at half.

"I saw the ball coming," said Flores of the pick. "I thought I was going to fall, but I got it. The defense was struggling a little."

Yuba City received additional help on defense in the third quarter. Nose guard Frank Franco recovered a fumble at Cosumnes Oaks' 25-yard line. Six plays later, Yuba City's Raul Lozano, who rushed nine times for 72 yards in the game, scored on a 3-yard run with 8:06 left.

"Our offense was struggling," Ithurburn said. "The kids really came out in the second half. (Cosumnes Oaks) is a good football team; their kids were just flying to the ball."

To make up for the blocked extra-point, Yuba City opted for the 2-point conversion and was successful when Flores scored on a run to make it 14-0.

Going into the fourth quarter, Yuba City added its final touchdown of the game, thanks to its defense when it forced another Cosumnes Oaks turnover - one of four in the game. With the ball spotted on their 34-yard line, the Honkers had two big plays that set up the final touchdown.

On second and 8 at Yuba City's 36, wide receiver Bernell Barmore ran a reverse 39 yards into Wolves' territory. On the next play, Barmore had his number called again, rushing 14 yards to the Wolves' 25-yard line. Four plays later, one of which was a 13-yard run by Lozano, fullback Taylor Rowe, who rushed nine times for 78 yards, scored on a 4-yard run with 6:19 left. The extra-kick was blocked again, leaving the final score on the board.

Three times in the game, Cosumnes Oaks was inside Yuba City's territory, but failed to get into the red zone.

In the junior varsity game, Cosumnes Oaks handed Yuba City a heartbreaking 22-21 setback.