Prep football roundup: Martin era at Oakdale opens with win; Enochs takes Sylvan Bowl

Quinton Hamilton
·4 min read

The Garrett Martin era at Oakdale starts as a success.

The first-year head coach taking over for California coaching legend Trent Merzon led the Mustangs to a 27-20 victory in the 2023 season opener in front of the home fans at The Corral.

Oakdale struck first on a patented run by running back Wes Burford. The Mustangs held a narrow 13-12 lead at the end of the first half. They scored 14 unanswered second-half points to take a 27-12 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Mustangs forced a fumble in the first half, but were unable to get a much needed takeaway in the fourth quarter. The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division V runner-up marched down the field, scoring a touchdown and adding a two point conversion to bring the Oakdale lead down to a touchdown.

The Mustangs shut down one final Sonora fourth-quarter comeback, making a last second defensive stand to seal the victory. The win marks the second narrow victory for the Mustangs over Sonora in as many years. Oakdale won in 2022, 27-21 in overtime. They travel to Aptos next week before returning home Sept. 8 to host Sheldon.

Oakdale running back Chase Lopez stiff arms a defender during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale running back Chase Lopez stiff arms a defender during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.

Enochs 28, Beyer 0: Logan Edwards capped the Eagles’ dominant opening night win with a 27-yard touchdown in the latest Sylvan Bowl. Enochs has won the past five rivalry games against Beyer. It looks to start 2-0 Thursday, as it hosts Liberty-Brentwood.

Gregori 40, Buhach Colony 9: Conner Bailey completed six passes for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Jaguars had a dominant showing on the road against Buhach Colony. Returning running back Michael Marsden rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Trey Webb and Landon Gutierrez had receiving touchdowns. Junior Marcus Sims had seven tackles, including five for loss.

Pitman 29, Central Valley 7: Lawson Aviles scored on a 65-yard punt return and the Pride never looked back. Pitman took a 15-0 lead into the half after adding a 1-yard passing touchdown. The Pride opened a 29-0 advantage before Darius Jackson scored the Hawks’ first touchdown of the season with 3:51 left in the game.

Hughson 32, Ceres 0: Hughson kicked off its state title defense with a dominant win over Ceres. Robert McDaniel threw for 214 yards and touchdowns to Malakai Sumter and David Delgado and rushed for a score. Larkin Meyer caught four passes for 116 yards and Alex Villarreal and Cesar Ramos rushed for a touchdown apiece. Delgado led the defense with three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks while David Burns finished with a team-high eight tackles.

Central Catholic 42, Merced 12: The Raiders’ season started with a pair of explosive scoring plays. TP Wentworth found Brooklyn Cheek for a 63-yard touchdown pass and Joey Alcutt broke open a 68-yard run. On the day, Wentworth passed for a pair of touchdowns and rushed for another. Trace Hernandez scored a rushing touchdown to help the Raiders open up a 21-0 advantage. The defense allowed six points in the second and third quarters each.

Modesto Christian 50, Esparto 13: Ross Widemon and Jeremiah Bernard connected for four passing touchdowns in the Crusasers’ opener on the road against Esparto. Bernard, a Cal Poly commit, recovered a fumble and had 220 yards in touchdown receptions. Widemon threw five total touchdown passes and rushed for a score.

Millennium 14, Riverbank 12: Running back Gabriel Nisperos scored both Bruins touchdowns on the ground in the team’s opener. As a team, Riverbank collected 154 rushing yards.

Rocklin 31, Turlock 3: The Thunder blitzed visiting Turlock early, opening up a 24-0 first-quarter lead. Turlock scored its only points on a 40-yard field goal from Mateo Valencia. Vincent Gonzales completed nine passes for 81 yards. The Bulldogs return home for their home opener next week against Clovis West.

Johansen 46, Modesto 12: The Vikings took a 34-0 lead into halftime thanks to four rushing touchdowns and one passing score. Johansen hosts Orestimba next week and Modesto plays Beyer.

Orestimba 32, Davis 28: Alex Millan threw three touchdown passes and Jackson Brooks tossed two in a back-and-forth season opener for the Warriors and Spartans. Davis went down 13 points but responded with 14 straight to take a one-point lead at the half. Davis held a 28-25 lead late, but Millan and the Warriors scored the winning touchdown with around four minutes left.

Central Valley Christian 63, Ripon Christian 41: The Knights trailed by a manageable 15 points at halftime in their opener on the road in Visalia, but could not pull out the victory against the reigning Central Section Division II runner up. They play Pajaro Valley next week in their home opener.

Ripon 49, Linden 42: Ripon came out on top in a back-and-forth road affair Friday night. A big third quarter where the visitors outscored the Lions 21-7 helped seal the victory. Xzavier Clark sparked Ripon with a 96-yard kickoff return and 68-yard touchdown run. Dru Orlando had a first half pick-six.

Oakdale Head Coach Garrett Martin looks toward the end zone during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale Head Coach Garrett Martin looks toward the end zone during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale defensive lineman Charlie Kjeldgaard (38) celebrates the Oakdale defense recovering a fumble during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale defensive lineman Charlie Kjeldgaard (38) celebrates the Oakdale defense recovering a fumble during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Sonora receiver Eli Ingalls leaps to attempt a catch between two Oakdale defenders during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Sonora receiver Eli Ingalls leaps to attempt a catch between two Oakdale defenders during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale’s Wes Burford (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Oakdale’s Wes Burford (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Sonora Head Coach Bryan Craig talks with an official during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.
Sonora Head Coach Bryan Craig talks with an official during a game between Oakdale High School and Sonora High School at Oakdale High School in Oakdale California CA on August 18, 2023.