Rocklin rumbles past Del Oro in Battle for the Shield

You'd be hard-pressed to find a high school football conference in Northern California as daunting as the Sierra Foothill League. Despite a 5-0 nonleague record, Del Oro has stumbled in the SFL with losses to Granite Bay, Oak Ridge and Rocklin. The Golden Eagles had an opportunity to right the ship Friday night in the annual Battle for the Shield, but host Rocklin reclaimed the trophy by slowing Del Oro's high-powered offense in a 35-14 victory. The Rocklin defense caused problems for the Golden Eagles from the jump, starting with an interception by Mikey Cunningham early in the first quarter. The Thunder also recovered a fumble and made a stand deep in their territory, forcing Del Oro to kick a field goal, which missed. Rocklin struck first early in the second quarter when sophomore Reeve Slone delivered a 32-yard touchdown strike to Nate Martin. Following an interception by Brody DeSario, Slone threw a 37-yard scoring pass to tight end Gavin Correia. The Thunder kept their foot on the gas to start the third quarter, relying heavily on the run and capping a touchdown drive with a nine-yard run by Rafi Merino to make it 21-0. The Golden Eagles struck back with a 17-yard touchdown run by junior Marcel Urquhart on the ensuing possession. Urquhart bounced outside and streaked down the Rocklin sideline, but the Thunder built the lead back to 21 on a two-yard rushing score by Derek Keeley that was set up by a long run from Slone. Slone put the cherry on top with a 78-yard touchdown pass to Martin in the fourth quarter. Del Oro quarterback Caden Pinnick connected with Beaux Sauve for a touchdown in the final minutes. Pinnick passed for 201 yards and rushed for 97 yards. Slone's three touchdown strikes and 247 yards were the highlight for Rocklin's offense, but the rushing attack carried the majority of the load. Keeley had a game-high 111 yards on 15 carries while Merino had 42 yards on 10 rushes. Martin and Correia each caught three passes for 131 yards and 90 yards. Del Oro (5-3, 0-3 SFL) returns home to face Folsom (6-2, 3-0 SFL) on Friday. The Thunder (7-1, 2-1 SFL) will face another tough test Friday at Granite Bay (5-3, 2-1 SFL) and its explosive rushing duo of Carter Jackson and Isaiah Ene.