Three Cordova Lancers bring down the Antelope runner for no gain.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers dropped their second-consecutive Metro League contest to begin league play following a 63-13 loss to visiting Antelope inside Lancer Stadium on Friday, Oct. 16. 

The Titans (4-3 overall, 1-1 Metro League) presented a challenge from the first snap of the contest due to their vaunted Wing-T offense implemented by Head Coach Terry Stark, who has ran his patented rushing attack for decades in the area. The Lancers (4-3 overall, 0-2 Metro League) struggled to identify ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage early and often as Antelope rattled off 35 points offensively in the first half and tacked on a defensive touchdown late in the second quarter after Cordova senior quarterback Trey Wallace was intercepted by Antelope junior defensive end James Johnson, who sprinted 64 yards for a score. The Titans entered halftime leading 42-6 and never looked back. 

Senior quarterback Trey Wallace scrambles for a short gain against Antelope.

"Most teams struggle with the Wing-T if you don't see a lot of it," Lancers Head Coach JP Dolliver said postgame. "That's the benefit of running that, especially when you have a veteran coach who has been running it for years in Terry Stark. It's really difficult when it's run really well, and that's a good football team that is coached well."

The Lancers did put up a couple explosive plays in the contest, including an 80-yard touchdown strike from Wallace to senior wide receiver Troy Simmons in the first quarter, and a 28-yard score from Wallace to junior Gino David early in the fourth. It would not be enough however, as the Lancers committed multiple penalties and turnovers throughout the contest. 

Senior’s Omari Harrell (left) and Masiyah Mejia (right) bring down the Antelope ball carrier for a loss.

As a team, the Titans racked up 327 rushing yards on the night and were led by senior wide receiver Tyler Linderman, who was the recipient of multiple big runs on reverse plays behind the line of scrimmage. They had three others rush for 40 yards or more in a strong effort on the ground. For Cordova Wallace finished the game 7-of-13 passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. He was also the teams' leading rusher, tallying six carries for 63 yards. Simmons led all Lancers receivers in yardage with his one reception for 80 yards, and senior tailback Zachary McIntire racked up three receptions for 48 yards.

Following the game, Dolliver was asked about how his team will approach the final three games of Metro League play, starting with a road game at Grant on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

"I told them let us take the next two games with one away and one at home, to eliminate the mistakes that we make," Dolliver said. "Grant won't make us jump offsides. Grant won't make us throw picks or put the ball on the ground. Grant is not making us not gang-tackle when we have the opportunity. A lot of those things are self-inflicted. I told them let us play mistake-free football next week and let's see what happens."

Senior quarterback Terryn "TK" King runs around the left side for a long gain against Antelope.