The second annual Mayor’s Cup ‘Battle of 120’ between Oakdale and Escalon took place on Friday night, Sept. 6 at Escalon’s Engel Field. Last season Escalon was the team that was celebrating – at The Corral – at the end of the night; this year Oakdale left the Escalon field with the cup and the win. It was a thrilling 21-20 overtime win over the Cougars on Friday night.
Two weeks removed from their fourth quarter collapse in Sonora, it seemed like history may repeat itself as the Mustangs held a 14-0 advantage to start the fourth quarter, but it was erased by the Cougars, who knotted the score 14-14 with 5:02 left in regulation.
“We are a young team and it did seem reminiscent of the Sonora game, but our boys worked it out and kept their composure,” said head coach Garrett Martin following the emotional win.
It was a scoreless first quarter at Engel Field. In fact, it would remain scoreless until 16 seconds left in the half. As time was winding down Mustang quarterback Grant Gardner connected with Chase Lopez on a nine-yard touchdown catch and run. Oakdale missed the point after and went into the tunnel with a 6-0 lead.
Much like the first half, both teams struggled to find the end zone in the third quarter, until Gardner found Wes Burford from 25 yards out – and the 2-point conversion was good – to make it 14-0 with a dozen seconds left in the third quarter.
Escalon refused to stop fighting and freshman Dylan Ball came up big for the Cougars in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Logan Huebner connected with Ball from 32 yards out just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter. Escalon tied the game with 5:02 remaining when Ben Gonzalez caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Huebner.
The Cougars were able to move the ball most of the night, including an opening drive that went 15 plays and took nearly 11 minutes off the clock before turning the ball over on downs.
When the game went to overtime, Oakdale got the ball first at the Cougar 25-yard line. Lopez scored on the third play from scrimmage on a nine-yard carry, extra point good, to give Oakdale a 21-14 advantage. The Cougars had an opportunity to match the Mustangs score to keep the game going. It did not take long as Ball scored on a 31-yard reception following a penalty that pushed them back to make it a first and 15. The Cougars decided to go for a two-point conversion. When the ball was snapped, Oakdale’s Tyler Stroup rushed Huebner and caused the quarterback to miss his target in the end zone to seal the victory for the Mustangs.
“As soon as I split the A-gap and got through the line I saw him (Huebner) and knew I could get to him enough to force a throw,” said Stroup.
“Our boys just beat a very, very, very talented Escalon team. It was a battle. A battle that could not be won in regulation,” Martin said of the Mustangs stepping up to the challenge. “They are going to enjoy this one, and rightfully so. It is hard to beat this team in their place, and our boys are excited.”
Oakdale’s defense stepped up when it needed to. They forced multiple turnovers on downs. The last minute saw each team having an opportunity but Oakdale turned the ball over when Gardner tossed an interception to Huebner with 33 seconds left in the game. However, on the following play, Oakdale got the ball back when Burford recovered a fumble.
This Friday night, Sept. 13, Oakdale will host Vista del Lago. The Eagles are 1-2 in the preseason and are coming off a 45-14 road loss to Vanden. Vista del Lago has lost two straight games. Oakdale has bounced back with a pair of wins since the loss to Sonora and stand at 2-1.
JV - Trailing 14-8 at halftime, Oakdale rallied for a 22-14 road win over Escalon on Friday night. The team is now 2-1 on the year.
Freshmen - The young team blanked visiting Escalon 32-0 on Thursday night.
