Written by Zeb Drivdahl
The Sonora Wildcats hung on to defeat the Hilmar Yellowjackets 22-21 Friday night in a tense TransValley League matchup in Hilmar.
The game started off with all Wildcats. The Sonora defense forced a quick three-and-out on Hilmar’s first possession and followed it up on offense with a quick touchdown drive. Cash Byington found the endzone on a 23-yard run with a series of spin moves, forcing multiple Yellowjacket missed tackles. Hilmar answered on their next possession, however, as a methodical 10+ play drive found the end zone and tied the score 7-7. Sonora answered almost immediately when Eli Ingalls hit Steven Morfoot on a 70-yard pass down the middle of the field for a score. A botched snap led to a missed extra point and the score at 13-7, Wildcats. The momentum of the game took a sharp turn at this point, as Hilmar was able to score touchdowns on two consecutive drives, and penalties stymied the Sonora drive. With under 30 seconds remaining, the Wildcats put together a quick series to get inside the Hilmar 20, aided by a late hit penalty on the Yellowjackets. Rigo Estrella nailed a 36-yard field goal from the left hash as time expired to put the score at 21-15 Hilmar.
Sonora received the second-half kickoff and went back to work on offense. Steven Olley pounded yards on inside runs while Ingalls and Byington worked the outside. Disaster struck in the red zone, though, as a fumble on an inside run was recovered by Hilmar. The Wildcat defense stepped up and delivered the three-and-out, getting the offense the ball back at the midway point of the third quarter. Once again, Sonora moved methodically down the field but came up empty in the red zone. An Ingalls pass was picked off on the 20-yard line, giving Hilmar the ball to start the fourth quarter. The Wildcat defense came up big again, giving the offense another try. This time, they delivered, overcoming holding penalties and questionable spots to get the score. Ingalls ran in the touchdown on an option keeper on 4th and 2, which required strength and balance to get the score. A failed two-point conversion attempt, and the score was 22-21 Sonora. From there, the Wildcat defense continued its second-half shutout, stopping two more Yellowjacket drives with no points. Sonora locked down the victory by stonewalling a 4th and 1 run from Hilmar at midfield with a minute left to play.
Eli Ingalls won Chicken Ranch Casino Player of the Game for his two-touchdown (1 running, 1 throwing) performance. Steven Morfoot delivered the Foust Heating and Air Hot Hit of the Game for a stiff hit to break up a key third-down pass late in the game. Sonora improves to 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in league play. The Wildcats host the Hughson Huskies next Friday at Dunleavy Field.
In other high school football action, Calaveras beat Summerville, 21-7. The Red Hawks will face Millennium next Friday. Bret Harte was on the road and lost to Big Valley Christian, 26-21. Next Friday, the Bullfrogs are on the road again against the Linden Lions.
