Sept. 2, 2008
Jr. Miners’ Midgets blank Oakmont, 20-0
While the majority of the foothill empire area teams ran into some tough competition last weekend in opening Sierra Youth Football Conference games, one exception to the rule was the Nevada Union Jr. Miners’ Midget team.
Receiving a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Kyle Cota to tight end Jared Cook, a balanced rushing attack and a rousing effort by its defense, Nevada Union started the season with a 20-0 win over the visiting Oakmont Jr. Vikings.
The impressive victory sends the Jr. Miners Midgets to Auburn this Friday night for an unusual 7 p.m. game under the lights at Lefebvre Stadium against the Placer Jr. Hillmen.
The remainder of the Jr. Miners-Hillmen games which include Mighty Mites, Jr. Peewees, Peewees and Jr. Midgets will be played on Sunday also in Auburn.
Getting back to the Jr. Miners-Oakmont Midgets battle, Cota’s passing and the running over Stone Sander and Hank Humphers, the NU squad proved to be too much for the Roseville visitors to handle.
Running behind the crisp blocking of the offensive line led by Anthony Hurst and Tim Dudley, the Jr. Miners moved the ball both through the air and on the ground.
NU’s defense was also impressive as veteran linebacker Tanner Vallejo teamed with defensive linemen Cameron Townsend and Wyatt Manjarrez to wreak havoc with the Vikings’ offense.
In other Jr. Miners results, Oakmont posted a 40-0 win in the Mighty Mites game and an 18-6 decision in the Jr. Peewees contest. In Peewees action, Oakmont rolled to a 40-0 triumph while the Vikings’ Jr. Midgets notched a 22-6 win.
In other area action, Bear River’s Jr. Bruins slipped past Del Oro, 10-8 in Midgets action. The other Del Oro-Bear River games went the way of the Jr. Golden Eagles as Del Oro won 13-0 at the Might Mite level; 41-0 in the Jr. Peewees ranks; 19-0 in the Peewees game and 32-0 in the Jr. Midgets contest.
Bear River will host Lincoln on Saturday with the Mighty Mites kicking off action at 9 a.m. and games following at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Placer’s Jr. Hillmen also found the sledding tough in their opening games at Rio Americano High against the American River Raiders.
The hosts posted a 39-7 win over the Placer Might Mites; a 45-7 romp in the Jr. Peewees game; a 21-6 win in the Peewees games and respective 34-6 and 34-8 victories in the Jr. Midgets and Midgets games.