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Rancho Cordova Independent

Lancers Football Starts 1-0

Aug 27, 2024 03:38PM ● By James Darnell, photos by Rick Sloan
Sophomore running back Zachary Mcintire puts a move on the El Camino defender on his way to a long gain.


RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova varsity football team certainly wanted to “hit the ground running” in their season opener last Friday against visiting El Camino, and as it turned out, that’s exactly what they did en route to an impressive 37-12 victory.

Armani Curtis Zachary Mcintire

 Senior linebacker Armani Curtis (#51) and sophomore Zachary Mcintire stop the El Camino runner for no gain.


The Lancers (1-0) tallied 326 total rushing yards on the night in what was a physical show of force by a young squad looking to establish their identity. Sophomore tailback Zachary Mcintire led all rushers with eight carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns to pace Cordova, but he was not alone in putting up spectacular numbers. Sophomore quarterback Trey Wallace, playing in his first varsity football game, took control of the contest as he went 4-7 passing for 86 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Wallace added eight carries for 97 yards and two additional scores as an impactful dual threat.

Trey Wallace Cordova

 Sophomore quarterback Trey Wallace scores the first touchdown of the season for Cordova.


According to Lancers head coach JP Dolliver, it was great to see his team set the tone early on in their season.

“I thought they played aggressive,” Dolliver said. “I loved seeing the energy they had for this first game. You don’t really know how kids are going to come out the gate because you’ve been practicing for four weeks against each other, so you never know how they’re going to do against another team. But I was real happy to see the kids come out here and step up.”

Defensively, junior defensive tackle Julian Drahn led the Lancers with 10 tackles and a sack. Seniors Lavon Bunch and Tai’Marr Tholmer-Johnson also recorded sacks.

Jim Ghilardi El Camino

 New defense coordinator Jim Ghilardi gives his players some pointers during a timeout against El Camino.


The game against the Eagles (0-1) may have been the opening act for Cordova in their 2024 campaign, but it also served as a source of closure. Prior to the start of the game, the team honored fallen teammate Elijah Wallace, who tragically passed away this past June. Members of the Wallace family as well as the Lancers team met at midfield in a moment of silence, and it was revealed that the team will wear stickers with Wallace's number 23 on their helmets this season. According to Dolliver, this was something that weighed on the hearts and minds of his program coming into the season.

Makhai Stewart Ryker Woolfe

 Junior running back Makhai Stewart takes a handoff from Trey Wallace and heads up field for a long gain behind the blocking of junior tackle Ryker Woolfe.


“He was a big part of this football team, and not just because of his football performance,” Dolliver said. “You can’t replace a kid like that and that’s just the cold, hard truth. But to get some closure and to dedicate this season to him, it was a healing experience for a lot of our kids, and I know it was for his family. I spoke to his dad, and we had a good conversation earlier today and on the sideline before the game. I think it was really good for everybody — for the team, the kids, and his family.”

Lavon Bunch III El Camino Julian Drahn Anthony Gomez

 Senior Lavon Bunch III (#1) brings down the El Camino runner with the help of junior Julian Drahn (#59) and junior Anthony Gomez (#50).


The Lancers will look to remain undefeated when they travel to Mesa Verde this Friday, August 30, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.