Three turnovers seemed like it could haunt the Cordova High School football team.

But in a huge Sierra Valley Conference home game against El Dorado, the Lancers enjoyed the tricks and treats in the fourth quarter that led to a 40-14 win over the Cougars at Lancers Stadium last Friday.

The win launches Cordova into sole possession of first place in the SVC at 3-0 and 6-2 overall. El Dorado, which beat Liberty Ranch 27-24 two weeks ago, and the Lancers’ next opponent this Friday, goes to 2-1 and 6-2.

The Lancers led 13-0 at halftime. But the visiting Cougars scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead. Then in the final quarter, the game changed when Lancer running back Kelechi Njoku scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard touchdown for a 21-14 lead.

“What we wanted to do is hang onto the ball,” said Cordova head coach Darren Nill of the fourth quarter. “Those turnovers were keeping the game close.”

Cordova had two fumbles lost inside the Cougars’ 30-yard line, plus a fumble in the first half that kept the game close until the final quarter.

“The first part of the game was feeling each other out,” Nill said. “We knew it was going to be a tight game. El Dorado is an excellent coached team.”

From his defensive end spot, Njoku recorded a key sack on the Cougars’ next offensive drive in the fourth quarter, and one of four in the game. That led to a Cougars’ punt. Then Cordova scored three more times that led to bust opening a close game into a blowout.

“We knew that we were going to be able to run,” Nill said. “They were overplaying the pass a little bit. We went ahead and made the decision to just go ahead and jam it down their throats, and luckily it worked out for us.”

The numbers back the Lancers’ success on the ground. Cordova had 37 carries for 304 yards on the ground. The Lancers finished with 522 total offensive yards. El Dorado had only 87 yards on 33 attempts, and 286 total offensive yards.

“Luckily, our run game just took over in the fourth,” Nill said.

Leading the Lancers’ ground attack was running back Deante McCullough, who had 22 carries for 222 yards and three touchdowns.

Contributing toward the Lancers’ touchdowns in the game was running back Terrill Johnson, who scored on a 23-yard run. Wide receiver Alvin Banks had a big night at six receptions for 159 yards, plus a touchdown.

Cordova quarterback Xavier Johnson completed 11-of-22 passes for 188 yards, plus one touchdown and interception.

“If we put together our offense, along with our defense, that’s how we’re capable of playing,” Nill said.

On defense, Cordova linebacker Yusef Pugh had 10 tackles. Middle linebacker Kenneth Haney followed with eight, Njoku seven and Johnson, plus defensive back Tyreke Tate, linebacker Michael Gonzalez, defensive back Bryan Estrada and defensive tackle Fidel Romero had five each.

Tonight, Friday, at Warriors Stadium in Galt, Cordova takes on Liberty Ranch (2-1 in the SVC, 6-2), which posted a 14-0 win over Rosemont. A Lancers win over the Hawks would secure a share of the SVC title. However, a Liberty Ranch win would create a three-way tie for first place between the Hawks, Lancers and El Dorado, should it beat Galt (2-1 in the SVC, 5-3) tonight.

In the frosh/soph game, Cordova remained undefeated in the SVC at 3-0 with an 18-16 win over El Dorado. The Lancers are 3-5 overall.