At the beginning, the Cordova High School football team looked like it was going roll past Rio Linda.

But in last Friday’s non-league home game at Lancers Stadium, the Lancers saw their fine performance in the first quarter end at that point. Then the Knights took over the rest of the way that led to a 31-29 win over Cordova (2-1).

“We had a lot of confidence going into that game,” said Cordova head coach Darren Nill. “We came out firing on all cylinders.”

The Lancers jumped out to a 23-7 lead after the first quarter. On offense, Cordova moved the ball without much competition from the Knights.

“The quarterback (Lancer signal caller Xavier Johnson) was in his reads, the running backs were getting up the middle, the line was doing their job,” Nill said. “Everything was going really well.”

But Rio Linda (1-2) saw the momentum swing to its side of the field toward the end of the first quarter. That’s when Lancer wide receiver and linebacker Jason Johnson broke his foot. According to Nill, Johnson is expected to be out until the Sierra Valley Conference opener against Galt at Lancers Stadium on Friday, Oct. 7th.

“He left the game,” said Nill of Johnson, who led the team with 30 tackles going into last Friday’s game.

Cordova was whistled for five personal fouls in the game. The Lancers were flagged for 112 yards. Rio Linda lost only 70 yards.

“We still have some players that put themselves above the team,” Nill said. “We’ve talked to these players all the time. We’d get a drive kill because they can’t control their emotions. We beat ourselves.”

Cordova scored on its first three possessions of the game. Then the next six offensive opportunities, the Lancers had a combined 19 yards.

On their possession of the game, the Lancers scored and had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter to send it into overtime. But the 2-point conversion failed.

“Our team likes to make things exciting,” Nill said. “(The) loss to Rio Linda really hurt because we thought that was a game we should’ve had.”

Lancer runner back Deante McCullough had 11 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson completed 13-of-23 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown. The Lancers finished with 255 total offensive yards. Rio Linda had 372 total yards; 227 rushing and 145 passing.

On defense, Cordova linebacker Kenneth Haney had 15 tackles. Defensive lineman Kelechi Njoku followed at 11, defensive back Terrill Johnson 10 and linebacker Yusef Pugh nine. Jason Johnson had four tackles before he left the game with his injury.

In the junior varsity game, Rio Linda also came out with a 56-8 win over Cordova (0-3).

Tonight, Friday, Cordova welcomes Vista del Lago of Folsom, and one of three 9-12 high schools in the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District; Cordova and Folsom the other two. The Eagles soar into the game with a 1-2 record.