RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers lost their second-consecutive Metro League contest on Friday, Oct. 17 following a 62-0 loss at Destiny Christian Academy. 

The game got away from the Lancers (3-5 overall, 1-3 Metro League) early, as the Lions (3-5 overall, 1-2 Metro League) scored 29 points in the first quarter. The game would spiral from there as the Lancers were unable to establish much momentum offensively after falling into a big defecit early, and being unable to run the ball as much as they would prefer. The Lions would add three more scores in the second quarter to head into halftime leading 49-0, effectively putting any threat of a comeback to bed. 

"We didn't execute the way we needed to," Lancers head coach JP Dolliver said afterward. "I think Destiny (Christian Academy) was a lot more physical than we were. If you're not executing, you're not going to beat a team that is more polished and physical than you."

Defensive coach Jim Ghilardi gives his players a pep talk.

The Lions were led by their rushing attack, which accounted for four touchdowns on the night alone. Sophomore tailback K'Aden Minor rushed six times for 65 yards and two scores, with junior Zion Ditmore adding four carries for 45 yards and two scores of his own. Additionally, sophomore quarterback Austin Pierce was efficient, going 6-of-9 passing for 91 yards and a touchdown through the air. For the Lancers, junior quarterback Trey Wallace completed 3-of-9 passes for 35 yards, including an interception. The Lancers ground attack only earned 12 yards rushing on the night as they struggled to move the ball in between the tackles. 

Execution may have been lacking for Cordova, but effort and engagement were not. The Lancers did not lose their composure despite trailing big for the majority of the contest, and that is something that Dolliver and his staff have preached to the team since taking over the program three years ago. 

"The past three years that's been something I've tried to focus on with these guys," Dolliver said. "A lot of it is about teaching these young men that sometimes that's how things are. You have to be able to take losses sometimes and be able to take them well without turning on eachother, without pointing fingers. Sometimes you just face a team that out-mans you, and that was tonight."

Senior Anthony Gomez brings down the Lion running back for a loss.

The Lancers return to the field on Friday, Oct. 24 in a non-league road clash at Davis High School, with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m. For Dolliver, it's another opportunity for his team to get better. 

"The Davis game is going to be competitive. We can play with those guys," Dolliver said. "We absolutely can play with those guys. That's another Division I team though. They are going to be big, they are going to be fast, and they didn't put you on the schedule to lose and think it's a winnable game for them. However, I think that when we've played really well and we've executed and feel confident after a good week of practice, we can compete with anybody."