Woodland falls to power - Daily Democrat

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Woodland falls to power

Dylan Ramirez’s 3 touchdown explosion not enough as Wolves lose 38-20 to Casa Roble

Woodland High School defensive linemen Decius Felix applies pressure on the quarterback during the first half of the Wolves’ home game against Casa Roble on Friday. PHOTOS BY CARLOS GUERRERO — DAILY DEMOCRAT

Woodland High School running back Diego Bautista runs up the middle during the first half against Casa Roble on Friday.

Woodland High School senior Joseph Cadotte Jr. makes a tackle during the first half against Casa Roble on Friday.

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By Carlos Guerrero

cguerrero@dailydemocrat.com

Despite playing their best game of the season so far, the quest for the Woodland High School varsity football team’s first win continued Friday night as the Wolves fell 38-20 to perennial Golden Empire League powerhouse Casa Roble.

The Wolves (0-6, 0-2 GEL) came into Friday night’s home league game following a disheartening 60-6 road loss to Sutter last week as they opened up league play. The week before, they concluded their preseason with a 31-6 loss to Wheatland in a game that was called early in the fourth quarter following a lower leg injury to a Wolves offensive lineman.

Despite the losses, first-year head coach Dane Gallagher remains as confident as ever that the Wolves season will turn around as the schedule comes to a close over the final month. Why is he so confident? Because of the continued fight his team shows that proves to him everyone is still buying into the program.

“The boys battled today,” Wolves head coach Dane Gallagher said. “They didn’t back down from that big Casa Roble front. I don’t think this team has lost any spark or any faith in what we are doing here. They are battling and coming to practice every day and showing they give a damn.

We fought in the trenches all night making Casa open up their passing game. In that first quarter, if a few plays go our way on both sides of the ball, it’s a whole different ball game. They have a great program and system over there. I thought we matched up pretty well and fought them until the end.”

Casa Roble (2-3, 1-0 GEL) came into the showdown after an uncharacteristic blowout loss to Twelve Bridges back on Sept. 13. With a bye week in between their final preseason game and their matchup with the Wolves, the Rams had plenty of practice time to get back on track and managed to do so with long sustained drives, explosive plays for scores and solid defense.

After scoring on their opening drive to make it 6-0, the Rams got the ball back halfway through the first quarter and embarked on a methodical drive, chewing up a lot of clocks. They eventually made it 12-0 on a nine-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Lopez on the first play of the second quarter.

After another Woodland punt, the Wolves defensive levee looked to fully break as the Rams connected on a massive 68-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Horner to make it 18-0. On the next Rams drive, they’d punch it in from about two yards out to go up 24-0 before finally converting an extra point attempt to go up 25-0.

With about two minutes left in the first half, the Wolves returned to work offensively and came up on huge play. Quarterback Joe Abarca stepped back to pass and found junior two-way star Dylan Ramirez on a 45-yard touchdown pass to make it 25-6 after a blocked point after attempt.

Woodland was feeling great, but maybe too great, as right after they had enjoyed their best play of the game, they allowed one of the worst on a huge Rams kickoff return all the way to the 17-yard line. On the third play of the drive, Casa Roble stepped on the gas and got lucky on a tipped pass that landed right into the hands of their wide receiver to make it 32-6 going into the half.

Following the break, Woodland came out and sustained a long drive on offense, courtesy of a steady diet of Diego Bautista runs. After making it all the way to the Ram’s two-yard line, Abarca found Ramirez again for a short touchdown score, making it 32-12. The two-point conversion attempt was also successful on a pass to Joseph Cadotte, making it 32-14.

“It was nice to see that rhythm offensive in the second half,” Gallagher recalled. “We had the big score, and then we were able to come back and establish that running game, which we have been looking to do all season. It was nice to see the long drives finally pay off.”

Following another long Rams drive and score, making it 38-14, Woodland got right back to work and hoped to build momentum and confidence for next week.

Ramirez capped off his fantastic day on the Wolves’ final drive, making two fantastic over-the-head catches and then one hard-nosed 2-yard catch to get the Wolves inside the five-yard line. From there, Abarca passed it right back to Ramirez on a short slant to make it 38-20.

“Dylan had other great catches throughout the game and not just on that drive,” Gallagher said. “He was getting open and giving them fits all night. He’s playing on both sides of the ball, and he just shows full-out effort.”

Up next for the Wolves will be their much-anticipated homecoming game against Natomas High School, set for Friday, Oct. 4.

After that game, they will hit the road to take on old foes Dixon on Oct. 11. Following a bye week, the Wovles will end the year with two more games, including a road trip to Rio Linda on Oct. 25 and a senior night matchup against El Camino on Nov. 1 to conclude the season.

“I’m hoping to build off the energy we brought tonight,” Gallagher said. “Homecoming night brings a different environment that, hopefully, the kids will get excited about. We just need to keep that tempo and rhythm we had in that second half. I’m excited for the rest of league play and battle all these other teams. If we bring the energy we brought tonight, we are going to be a force for the rest of the season.”