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Oakdale rolls in D3 Final

Winning a section title isn’t supposed to look easy. Oakdale did just that on Friday night with a 51-14 win over Christian Brothers in scoring the final 44 points. The runaway victory gives the Mustangs their third Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title. This was their sixth section final appearance in seven years.

Oakdale, which surpassed 40 points for the seventh time, was a blend of explosive and efficient in scoring on seven of nine drives (the other two were end of half and end of game). When you boast a big play running game, it involves a physical offensive line and running backs who can make the first guy miss. Both factors shined bright at Lincoln-Stockton.

Senior Will Semone finished with 337 yards and five touchdowns in flashing his straight ahead running style and elusiveness in the open field. Junior Cameron Cherry also finished with more than 100 yards running behind an offensive line of Jorg Barajas, Conner Reed, Jacob Tietjen, Brandon Vierra and Nico Sarale. The first three will return for the Mustangs in 2017.

The Mustangs were constanting in advantageous down and distance situations, but also converted in tough spots. They made a 4th and 1 deep in their own territory early in the second quarter (going for it without hesitation) and later hit on first downs in 3rd and 5, 3rd and 7, 3rd and 10 and 4th and 2 scenarios.

While it logged seven plays at 20 yards or more, Oakdale demonstrated its clock churning ability to start the second half. Leading 24-14, Oakdale went 83 yards over 15 plays, taking 7:29 to essentially end the game.

The offense headlines this column, but the defense’s bounce back from the first two drives was vital. Christian Brothers’ first 10 plays went for 130 yards and two touchdowns on passes from Ball State commit Tyler Vander Waal to Jamarri Jackson and Spencer Webb. From that point, the Falcons had two first downs with four three-and-outs and an interception return for a score.

Cullen Bearden had four sacks for the Mustangs, so it was no surprise when he jumped the outside route for a pick six to finish off the banner night.

Christian Brothers had won 11 in a row and was playing in its first section finals since 1986.

The Mustangs will learn their regional bowl game opponent and location on Sunday. It will be the program’s third NorCal appearance in splitting the previous two with Clayton Valley Charter.

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