Two football teams that were not only searching for their first win but also searching for offense squared off last Friday in Caruthers.
The 0-2 Firebaugh High Eagles travelled to the 0-2 Blue Raiders and Firebaugh was able to come away with a close 14-6 non-league victory.
“It was a tough battle, for sure,” said Firebaugh head coach Jorge Saldana. “Our defense played tough and came up with big stops when we needed it.”
The contest came down to the two quarterbacks, Bradley Robertson of Caruthers and Isaac Ceja of Firebaugh. The pair of seniors used their legs and athleticism for big gains.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles returned a punt to their 48-yard line. Ceja, on a run-pass-option, headed up the middle of the field all the way to the Caruthers 23-yard line. One play later, running back Jonathan Maya carried the ball off left tackle and rambled into the endzone for the game’s first score.
On the ensuing kick-off, the Eagles pooch-kicked the ball beyond the front line, hustled down, and recovered the ball on the Caruthers 36-yard line. But an interception by the Blue Raiders and returned it to the 40-yard line, stopping the drive.
Robertson scrambled and carried the ball all the way to the Firebaugh 23-yard line. With time running out in the half, a pass to the right corner of the endzone and it was intercepted on a good play by Maya.
In the third quarter, the Blue Raiders were on a drive, but a big sack by Firebaugh defensive end Corbin Diedrich stopped the drive on downs.
In the third quarter, Caruthers re-focused on their ground game with the running of Gio Chavez and some good blocking by the offensive line. Another sweep around left end by Chavez put Caruthers on the board. The point-after kick was blocked, leaving the score at 7-6.
In the final quarter, the Eagles put the game away thanks to the running of Ceja. At the Caruthers 36-yard line, he carried the ball to the 19-yard line. After one run was stopped for a loss of three yards, Firebaugh was backed up further due to a penalty. Looking at a 4th & 15 for a first down, Ceja went back to pass, headed straight up the middle, and dove into the endzone for the clinching touchdown.
Coach Saldana remarked at the start of the season that his team needed to find a way to score more points and this game was typical of the year so far.
The Eagles need to figure it out as they will host Roosevelt-Fresno this Friday evening.
“Roosevelt is well-coached and has a fast and physical team,” he said.
