Ground game downs Stallions

Courtesy of Christopher Cross

Madera South’s David Thomas looks for an open running lane during Thursday’s loss to the Golden West Trailblazers.

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VISALIA — The Madera South Stallions football team allowed three touchdowns in the first quarter in a 61-0 rout by the Golden West-Visalia Trailblazers.

“We got bushwhacked,” Matt Johnson said. “We weren’t ready to play. They out coached us, they outplayed us, they are just a really good football team. I felt like we had an opportunity to do things better, but that plays into what we’ve been telling these boys all year, which is show up, go to work, out with the excuses and, when you have a bad week of practice, this is the lesson learned.”

The Trailblazers relied on a running back-by-committee approach that totaled 398 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.

Gonzalo Rodriguez led Golden West with 230 yards and three scores.

The Stallions, on the other hand, were the complete opposite. They were held to less than 70 yards of offense and failed to reach midfield until the last quarter of the game. By then, the game was far out of reach.

Brandon Mora finished the game as the Stallions leading gainer with 45 yards on six carries. The Stallions return home Friday night to face the Fresno Warriors in Memorial Stadium.