The Cordova Lancers line up during the National Anthem inside Hughes Stadium in Sacramento on Saturday, Nov. 6.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancers concluded their regular season on Friday, Nov. 6 inside Hughes Stadium in Sacramento with a 40-27 loss against McClatchy after a spirited second half rally fell short. They would leave the stadium not knowing if it would be their final game as the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) was still determining which teams would qualify for the Sac Joaquin Section championship playoff brackets and the newly implemented Bowl Series. 

Against McClatchy, a slow start by the Lancers (4-6 overall, 0-5 Metro League) allowed the Lions (5-5 overall, 1-4 Metro League) to go into halftime leading 28-7. Cordova’s first four possessions resulted in a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown by Lions’ senior Larell Mack Jr., a three-and-out, an interception, another punt and a turnover on downs which McClatchy capitalized on to build the quick lead. Two touchdown runs by Lions’ junior running back Robert Jackson III and a 12-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Josiah Hutchison to Mack Jr. gave McClatchy all the momentum entering the break. Lancers’ junior Gino David would stop the bleeding with an 88-yard kick return touchdown late in the second quarter. 

The Lancers come together pregame prior to their final regular season game vs. McClatchy.

At halftime the Lancers would replace senior Terryn “TK” King at quarterback with fellow senior Trey Wallace, who had spent the majority of the past two seasons as the teams’ starting quarterback before playing him at running back much of this season. Wallace would spark a spirited comeback attempt with a one-yard scoring plunge midway through the third quarter followed up by a screen pass to Lancers’ senior wide receiver Troy Simmons who took it 65 yards to the house. Unfortunately for Cordova, the Lions would score two additional touchdowns of their own in the third quarter on a 40-yard scamper from Jackson III and a 12-yard trot from Mack Jr. that would create a deficit too big to overcome. 

Wallace would connect with junior wide receiver Ethan Benitez on a 23-yard touchdown strike midway through the fourth quarter to cut into the Lions’ lead, but it would be the final points of the contest as Cordova’s late comeback attempt would fall short. 

Cordova’s defense lines up in the redzone while trying to stop McClatchy.

“We had to rally at halftime,” Cordova Head Coach JP Dolliver said afterward. “Then we came out, and our kids didn’t quit. We fought hard. We had to make a little change, we put TK (Terryn King) out there at ‘H’ and put Trey (Wallace) back there at quarterback. Then we ran a bit of no-huddle and that caught them (McClatchy) off-guard a little bit so we got some traction there. Unfortunately, we didn’t stop them a couple times on two scores and that could’ve switched the game if we would’ve stopped them. We just ran out of time.”

Final individual statistics from the game were not available at press time.

It was quite the scene following the game as multiple Cordova seniors were visibly emotional, knowing that was possibly their final game in a Big Red uniform. When asked about his feelings on potentially playing his final game for the Lancers alongside his fellow seniors, Wallace provided a poignant response.

“It’s amazing to get to play with all the seniors like Zach (McIntire) and TK (Terryn King),” Wallace said. “I’ve been playing with TK since Pop Warner. It’s been an honor.”

Lancers Head Coach JP Dolliver delivers a postgame speech to his team following their 40-27 loss at McClatchy.

But as it turned out, Wallace and the rest of his Lancer teammates would receive very positive news over the weekend as they were selected to participate in a Bowl Game at Ponderosa High School (5-5 overall) this Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. After the news came down, Dolliver provided a statement about his team’s mindset after being selected. 

“We’re excited,” Dolliver said. “Friday we took hard because it was the last regular season game but we knew there was a chance we might slide into a bowl game based on the teams that were behind us. I think the kids are going to be happy, I think they’ll play loose and be able to get one more game.”

The Lancers huddle at midfield prior to kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 7.