RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers were dealt their first loss of the season in their home opener on Sept. 29 when they lost to visiting Mesa Verde 18-13 inside Lancer Stadium. 

In a game that seemingly saw more penalty flags thrown than points scored, the Lancers (1-1 overall) struggled to defend the Mavericks' (1-1 overall) vaunted Wing-T offense, as they allowed 304 total rushing yards and three scores on the ground. It also didn't help matters that the Lancers' junior quarterback Trey Wallace was ruled down at the one-yard line late in the fourth quarter on what appeared to be a clear touchdown that would've brought Cordova within one score. On the very next play the Lancers would fumble on the goal line, allowing Mesa Verde to run valuable time off the clock in a close contest. 

Wallace would later score from a yard out with 1:25 remaining to pull within five points after their two-point conversion attempt failed, but it would be too little, too late as Mesa Verde was able to run out the clock. 

Masiyah Mejia pulls down the Mesa Verde runner by the jersey.

"Not to take anything away from Mesa Verde or what Lenny did, I thought he's done a tremendous job with that group over the past several years," Lancers head coach JP Dolliver said after the game. "He's got a very disciplined group. They're physical, they do the right things and they don't make a lot of mistakes. You can tell they take pride in how they play. That being said, I think we put ourselves in terrible situations many times during the game with penalties, whether we think they were justified or not. We'll figure that out, the film doesn't lie. But we put ourselves back and you can't win a game when you have that many penalties."

The Mavericks were led by senior running back Cesar Granados, who tallied an impressive 173 yards rushing and two scores on 24 carries. Fellow senior Elias Uribe notched nine carries for 101 yards as well to aid their cause. For the Lancers, Wallace put together a strong showing with both his arm and his legs. Through the air, Wallace went 13-of-21 passing for 146 yards.

On the ground, the junior contributed 106 yards rushing and two scores as he yet again displayed his dual-threat ability. Senior wide receiver Damajae Moses also performed well offensively, snatching six receptions for 49 yards. Defensively, senior defensive lineman Julian Drahn was dominant - registering 12 total tackles including four tackles for loss and one sack. Junior linebacker Masiyah Mejia also notched 12 total tackles.

Terryn King stops the Mesa Verde runner in the backfield for a loss.

Junior cornerback Terryn "TK" King recorded an interception of Mesa Verde senior quarterback Jaiden Johns just before halftime. 

The game itself was marred by penalties, with the Lancers unable to establish any momentum after every big play was called back. The penalty yardage took Cordova out of prime field position on multiple occasions, and eliminated their ability to run the ball as much as they may have wanted to. 

"We gave ourselves a chance late," Dolliver said. "There were a couple calls that seemed a little mysterious to me, but you can't rely on the referees to save you and get you out of games. We had a lot of self-inflicted wounds that led to that loss and they (Mesa Verde) took advantage of it."

With a bye this week, the Lancers will regroup and prepare to face Rio Americano on Friday, Sept. 12 in a home tilt. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. inside Lancer Stadium.