PLEASANT HILL — Will C. Wood High’s last three opponents did not do an exceptional job stopping quarterback Baxter Ken Tilford’s play-action runs.
For the most part, College Park’s outside linebackers on Friday kept a close eye on the quarterback when he looked to escape at the line of scrimmage.
The Wildcats, however, adjusted and found other ways to score in a 40-21 win to conclude the preseason and spoil the Vikings’ Homecoming night. Wood (4-1) has won four straight heading into Monticello Empire League play next week.
Despite the final score, Wood led just 26-21 heading into the fourth quarter before icing the win with two touchdown scampers from running back Jayjay Olaes.
“I think we’re very confident heading into league,” said Olaes, who had 115 yards rushing and three touchdowns. “I feel like we can win our first league game and then keep going from there.”
Wood head coach Jacob Wright was elated two weeks ago when his team forced seven turnovers against Chavez and turned many of those turnovers into points. His team picked off three passes against College Park and also had a special teams touchdown when Kristopher Butters ran back a kickoff 69 yards in the second quarter.
“Obviously you’re not going to get those (special teams touchdowns) all the time but to continue to win, you have to find other ways to score besides offense,” Wright said. “Special teams and defense, that was huge.”
Tilford continued his maturation, going 11 of 15 for 153 yards in the air and adding 81 yards on 13 carries on the ground. He threw for a touchdown and ran for another.
The game had the look of a shootout early as the two teams combined for four touchdowns in the first quarter.
Wood has been sluggish early in games but the Wildcats drove 58 yards on 11 plays on the opening drive and scored when Tilford rolled to his left and found tight end Jarren Ford in the end zone from 4 yards out. Tilford converted three third-down plays on the drive, including a 16-yard pickup on a pass to Chris Hubbell. The Wildcats missed the PAT and led 6-0.
“What we’re trying to do is get ready for teams that are going to scheme against Tilford’s legs,” Wright said. “You can see that he’s able to throw the ball, make the reads and make the throws and that’s going to back teams off a little bit.”
The Vikings (1-3) scored on their first play from scrimmage when quarterback Gavin O’Leary connected with Mikey O’Shea on a 61-yard touchdown strike. College Park converted the extra point to lead 7-6.
Wood came right back, however, and took a 13-7 lead on Tilford’s 26-yard touchdown run. Tilford and Krishna Clay connected on a 46-yard pass play earlier in the drive.
College Park went ahead again at 14-13 on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Colby Taul to O’Leary. Butters, however, returned that ensuing kickoff 69 yards to put Wood up to stay as the Wildcats led 20-14 heading into the locker room. Butters returned a punt return to the end zone later in the game but the score was called back due to a penalty.
On the Vikings’ first drive of the third quarter, Wood linebacker Armaan Nagra intercepted Taul and returned the pick to the Vikings’ 8-yard line. Three plays later, Olaes scored from a yard out to push the Wildcats’ lead to 26-14.
College Park wasn’t quite done, however, as the Vikings made it a five-point game at 26-21 with 3:06 left in the third quarter when O’Leary ran it in from 5 yards out.
Fortunately for the Wildcats, they iced the win with a key 55-yard drive in the fourth quarter, culminating with an Olaes 14-yard touchdown run as he broke tackles on his way to the end zone. He added a 54-yard touchdown jaunt later in the fourth quarter. That drive was set up by a Camren Intermesoli interception.
Clay was the top receiver with 96 yards on five catches and had one of three sacks on the evening for the Wildcats. Quentin Grayer and Nicholas Brown had the others.
Asked about whether his team looked ready for MEL play, Wright said “yes and no.”
“The penalties tonight, we really have to clean that up,” he said. “In a competitive game, the amount of penalties we make can really make the difference. Luckily, we were able to overcome those tonight, but we’re not always going to get that chance in our league.”
The score
Wood 40, College Park 21
Next Game: Friday at Vanden: 7:30 p.m.
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Will C. Wood High football team pulls away to beat College Park - Vacaville Reporter
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