RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers fall season came to an end on Thursday, Oct. 30 with a 48-7 loss to the Grant Pacers inside Lancer Stadium. 

The Pacers (6-4 overall, 4-0 Metro League) scored 28 points in the first quarter to set the tone, and never looked back. The Lancers (3-7 overall, 1-4 Metro League) scored late on a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Trey Wallace, but the game was already out of reach. Final stats from the contest were not available at press time. 

The win gave the Pacers the Metro League title and a home playoff game against Edison on Friday, November 14 in the first round of the Division I California Interscholastic Federation Sac Joaquin Section playoffs, while the Lancers finished in fifth place within league standings. The Lancers ended their season with four consecutive losses, and they will not be advancing to the postseason. Entering their season finale, head coach JP Dolliver wanted to make sure his team appreciated the moment despite the season coming to a close. 

Senior Damajae Moses tackles the Grant ball carrier. Photo by Rick Sloan

"Throughout the week we talked about taking the time to enjoy each other and realizing that the season was going to come to an end one way or another," Dolliver said regarding his message to the team entering the season finale. "Just take the moment in because the team is going to look different next year. I wanted us to reflect on that."

The Lancers' season was a rollercoaster full of ups and downs throughout. A gritty overtime win at Sheldon in the season opener was followed by three straight losses. They rebounded and won their next two consecutive contests before struggling down the stretch. When asked about his feelings on the season as a whole, Dolliver seemed to echo that sentiment while also recognizing some positives. 

"It was kind of a mixed bag," he said. "We had a lot of growth in a lot of ways. I thought the coaching from top to bottom was really good, and there was an excitement that you could see all the way down to the Jr. Lancers as well. I think there's some opportunities that we let slip away from some of our games and the kids felt that way too. Just some missed opportunities."

The Lancers are expected to hold their annual post-season team awards banquet in the coming weeks, however the date, time and location were not set at press time.

Cordova’s defense stops the Grant ball carrier on 4th down at the one-yard line. Photo by Rick Sloan