Friday night, Sept. 13 Oakdale welcomed Vista del Lago to town for a preseason gridiron battle in The Corral.
In recent years, the two teams have often battled in late fall during the playoffs but Friday’s game was the finale of the preseason and it was all Oakdale. The Mustangs won 55-21 for their third straight victory.
The varsity Mustangs jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and did not slow down. They led it 48-7 at the half and took a 55-14 lead into the fourth quarter where a running clock was in place.
This win featured a pair of 100-plus yard rushers for Oakdale. Wes Burford ran for 242 yards on a dozen carries and scored four touchdowns. Chase Lopez added 125 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Gavin Wyatt also scored a touchdown. Quarterback Grant Gardner only had two pass attempts but that included a 39-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt.
Oakdale intercepted Vista del Lago quarterback Grant Rodgers twice.
This Friday night, Sept. 20, Oakdale opens up Valley Oak League play with a home game. Up first is newcomer to the league, Mountain House. The Mountain House team, also known as the Mustangs, went winless in the preseason. Their latest loss came at home against former Valley Oak League member, Kimball 24-14. Other losses were McNair (42-20), Lathrop (27-12) and Tracy (28-7).
The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff time.
Flag Football
The Lady Mustangs flag football team opened up Valley Oak League action with a home-and-away series against Manteca. The inaugural season officially began with a home loss of 13-12 against the Buffaloes on Sept. 10. Thursday, Sept 12 the girls were doubled up on the road by the Buffaloes 12-6. Oakdale looks to get in the win column this week when they take on Mountain House. Game one of the series took place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Mountain House following The Leader press time. Thursday night the girls will host Mountain House inside The Corral at 7 p.m.
Water Polo
Members of the Mustang water polo squads competed in tournament play this past weekend.
The Oakdale girls fell to Pitman 14-3 on Saturday in the opening round. Later that afternoon, Oakdale lost to Pittsburg in a nailbiter, 6-5. Other recent action for the girls saw them defeat East Union, 15-5, but fall to Downey in a lopsided 22-3 final. This week Oakdale will travel to Manteca to face Sierra on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
For the boys, Oakdale dropped a home non-conference match against Downey 17-3. Oakdale gave up nine first half goals in the loss. They got in the win column, however, with a decisive 20-4 victory over East Union.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 Oakdale takes on Sierra on the road.
