RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - It looks like the weeks of summer conditioning have paid off in a hurry for the Cordova Lancers, as they defeated the Sheldon Huskies 13-10 in overtime Aug. 22 in their season opener. 

After a low-scoring and hard-fought first four quarters, the Huskies (0-1 overall) connected on a 19-yard field goal in overtime to take a 10-7 lead. Per the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rulebook, the Lancers (1-0 overall) would get one possession to tie or win the contest from the Huskies' 25-yard line.

After a handoff to senior running back Chicago Bush on first down that went for three yards, the Lancers could see that the Sheldon Huskies were out of gas after a long, physical game. It was at that moment that Cordova head coach JP Dolliver elected to go with a hurry-up approach and put the ball in the hands of junior quarterback Trey Wallace.

Wallace ran the ball up the middle on three consecutive plays with the Lancers quickly moving to the next play after each carry in an attempt to catch the Huskies off-guard. Wallace would ultimately score from three yards out to give the Lancers the win. 

"We always tell them to fight four quarters," Dolliver said after the game. "But that wasn't four quarters; it was five. So they pushed themselves through the whole game, all four quarters, and were the better team in the last quarter against a Sheldon team that fought hard too. It just came down to the end and we were a little bit more physical, probably a little less gassed, and we pulled it out."

Although Wallace struggled in the passing game on the night completing just two passes for nine yards, it was his tough running that proved style points aren't worth more than the points on the scoreboard. He tallied 19 carries for 90 yards and that overtime score, all while playing through an ankle injury in the second half.

The Lancers’ defense was just as gritty, generating two turnovers on interceptions by junior linebacker Masiyah Mejia and sophomore Gino David. Additionally, senior defensive lineman Julian Drahn recorded a sack of Sheldon sophomore quarterback Gavin Workman in the fourth quarter. One of the game’s biggest plays for the Lancers came on the second half kickoff, as senior Makhai Stewart returned the kickoff 85 yards for a score to tie up the game after trailing at halftime. 

Dolliver was extremely proud of his team’s effort and stamina on a day that saw a high temperature of 103 degrees. He credited their output to a long summer of workouts and dedication to conditioning and was pleased to see all that hard work pay off in their first game of the year. 

"We lean on these guys a lot," Dolliver said. "I think after six weeks of being with these guys, finally you get to see this is what it's all about. This is the feeling. This is what we've been talking about. It's one thing to say it but it's another when it's 105 degrees out and you're beating on these guys and grinding, holding them accountable; it's hard. But now they get to see it, so hopefully we get even more buy-in moving forward for the rest of the season."

The Lancers' home opener is this Friday, Aug. 29, after press time, when they host Mesa Verde. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.