Stallions throttled by Aztecs’ rush
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera South quarterback Jacob Edwards tells the offensive huddle the play during Friday’s Div. IV first-round playoff loss to the Mendota Aztecs.
The Mendota Aztecs football team came into its Div. IV first-round playoff game with one thing in mind. Run the ball against the fourth-seeded Madera South Stallions.
The Aztecs did that and more. They ran the ball on 52 of 56 plays, including taking up the entire third quarter for a 28-0 victory Friday over the Stallions.
“The greatest drive against us was their entire quarter,” Madera South head coach Matt Johnson said. “They took the whole clock. We had four opportunities to get off the field couldn’t. That third quarter drive was a sign of the whole ball game. We feel we get a three-and-out and got set up to get them off the field. They kept converting time after time. It was game-set-match after that.”
Mendota quarterback Jacob Silva rushed for 191 total yards, but lost 30 yards during the day. He rushed for two touchdown and caught a touchdown pass.
“They had a mathematical advantage when they decided to run their quarterback with two backs in the backfield,” Johnson said. “We just, for whatever reason, had a few key components out or injured, couldn’t tackle. We couldn’t get enough bodies with the right intentions to the party. Clearly, Mendota out-physicaled us. It was a good game plan. They loaded up. We knew what they were going to do. We didn’t think it was going to be a weakness of ours. Our strength was stopping the run all year long. We couldn’t hold up against their extra guy they brought to the party, which was their quarterback. They didn’t show that all that much all year. They had a good power running game with their backs, but bring their quarterback, there was an advantage.”
In all, Mendota rushed for 321 yards, earned 23 first downs, and averaged six yards per rush attempt.
Meanwhile, the Stallions were held to just 94 yards of total offense. They had one drive of 63 yards that ended up in a turnover on downs. Madera South had just five first downs and went 1-for-10 passing.
After the Stallions opened the game with a punt, Mendota drove 72 yards on nine plays with Silva carrying the ball on the first six plays. He finished the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.
Madera South got two first downs on its next drive, but turned the ball over on downs inside Mendota territory.
The Aztecs then drove 52 yards on seven plays for a second touchdown. This time, Silva caught a 26-yard touchdown pass on second-and-21 for a 14-0 lead.
After the Stallions went three-and-out, Mendota drove 83 yards on seven plays for its third straight score.
Silva highlighted the drive with a 39-yard run to the Madera South 21-yard line. Three plays later, the Aztecs scored for a 21-0 second quarter lead.
The Stallions had their best drive at the end of the first half. A face mask penalty extended the drive and quarterback Jacob Edwards gained four on third-and-four.
Erik Cervantes gained eight on third-and-four. Edwards hit Anthony Arce for his only pass completion for eight yards. Edwards gained 13 yards to the 10-yard line.
However, the Stallions were stymied before he end of the half. Edwards threw incomplete, Cervantes lost a yard, Edwards gained a yard and Cervantes gained one on fourth down.
The Aztecs opened the second half deep in their own territory. A face mask penalty helped Mendota.
Mendota gained six on fourth-and-one. A bad snap loses 22 yards for the Aztecs. However, Silvan gained 29 yards down the right sideline to bring up third-and-three and the Stallions jumped offsides for a first down.
The Stallions forced a fourth-and-four, but another offsides penalty extended the drive. Silva carried three times for 23 yards to the Madera South 15-yard line. After a three-play break, Silva got the call again and finished the drive in three plays for a 28-0 lead after an 18-play, 90-yard touchdown drive.
Madera South only had two more possession in the game and lost 14 yards and punted both times.
