Vista Jr. Eagles vs. Del Oro Jr. Golden Eagles

The following are game recaps from the Vista Jr. Eagles for games played against the Del Oro Jr. Golden Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 12. These results are submitted by the Vista Jr. Eagles organization. Midgets Del Oro 46, Vista del Lago 14 The Vista Midget Jr. Eagles squared off against the Del Oro Jr. Golden Eagles on Saturday. Del Oro jumped out to an early lead, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives for a 14-0 lead. Vista responded on the first play of their next drive. The Vista offensive line was giving up between 30-50 pounds to the Del Oro defensive line. The offensive line opened a great hole for running back Josiah Davis to scamper 75 yards for a touchdown run. Key blocks by wide receivers Griffin Martel and Kaden Shelton sprung Davis to get into the end zone. With the extra point missed, the score was 14-6. The second quarter the two teams traded scoring drives. Martel made a circus catch of a tipped ball in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown thrown by quarterback Travis Kaestner. The halftime score was 22-14 Golden Eagles. The Vista Eagles struggled to pay off several drives in the second half. The offensive line of Austin Wolfe, Carter Mellow, Andrew Pangburn, Jett Slack and Matthew Kouvaris battled all game to protect their quarterback and open holes for the running backs. The defense put up a good fight with multiple tackles for loss by linebacker Tyler Graham. Despite a great effort, the Vista Midget Jr. Eagles lost to Del Oro Golden Eagles 46-14. – Photo's Taken by Christine Kouvaris Jr. Midgets Del Oro 28, Vista 25 In a thrilling matchup between the Vista Jr. Eagles and the Del Oro Jr. Golden Eagles, the game came down to the wire with Del Oro narrowly escaping with a 28-25 victory after an intense back-and-forth battle. The game kicked off with Kubik sending the ball deep. Del Oro's opening drive was quickly shut down by the Vista defense with Harris breaking up a pass, McLeod making a tackle, and Pillet adding a tackle for loss (TFL), forcing a three-and-out. On Vista's first drive, Sa-Francis broke free for a first down, but an illegal procedure penalty nullified the gain. Sa-Francis powered ahead again, and Kubik kept it for another first down. A few plays later, Sa-Francis ran it in for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good, putting Vista ahead, 6-0. Del Oro responded quickly with a kickoff return that initially seemed like a touchdown, but it was called back due to a personal foul. McLeod made another big stop, but an offside penalty by Vista gave Del Oro a first down. Del Oro then had a long run and followed it up with a touchdown. Molnar blocked the PAT, keeping the score tied at 6-6. Vista's next drive saw Cirelli return the kick, and Sa-Francis took off for a long run to Del Oro's 16-yard line. After a short loss, Kubik ran for a small gain before Sa-Francis kept the ball for a quarterback sneak into the end zone, putting Vista back on top. The extra point attempt was no good, making the score 12-6. Molnar tackled the Del Oro returner on the next drive, and the time expired on the first quarter. The second quarter began with Vista's defense applying pressure. Del Oro was gifted a first down through penalties, but McLeod, McNeel-Caird, Molnar and Capp held the line, forcing a turnover on downs. Vista's offense stumbled with Sa-Francis losing yardage and then Kubik punting. Del Oro took over. Even with a tackle by McNeel-Caird, Del Oro tied the game with a long run to the end zone, followed by a successful PAT. After a short kick was caught by Derania, Kubik was sacked, and the Eagles fumbled on a later play, which was recovered by Molnar. On the next play, Del Oro intercepted a pass, regaining possession. Despite solid tackles from McLeod and McNeel-Caird, Del Oro capitalized with another touchdown and PAT, taking a 20-12 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced off a Vista player and into the hands of Del Oro. McLeod made a TFL to end the half, with Del Oro still ahead 20-12. Vista started the second half with a penalty that pushed them back. After a holding penalty and a couple of solid runs by Sa-Francis and Esola, Vista faced fourth down. Sa-Francis ran for a first down, keeping the drive alive. Despite another holding penalty, Vista pushed forward with Kubik completing a critical pass to Steineke down to the three-yard line. After a fumble recovered by McLeod, Kubik ran the ball to the one-yard line before Sa-Francis punched it in for a touchdown. Sa-Francis completed the extra point, bringing the score to 19-20. Del Oro's next drive saw Derania and McLeod make key stops, but an encroachment penalty on Vista gave Del Oro some breathing room. McLeod added another TFL, ending the third quarter with Del Oro holding a narrow lead. Sa-Francis carried the Eagles with multiple runs to start the fourth quarter, and despite a botched snap, he recovered the ball and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown, putting Vista ahead. Del Oro committed pass interference on the PAT, but Vista's second attempt was no good, leaving the score at 25-20. Del Oro mounted a late-game drive, but Gonzales, McNeel-Caird, Pillet, and Cabrera made crucial tackles. Del Oro managed to convert on key downs, moving closer to the end zone. With just 48 seconds left, Del Oro broke through for a touchdown, reclaiming the lead 28-25 after the extra-point attempt was no good. With only 43 seconds left, Sa-Francis returned the kickoff. Hart made a long catch, and Sa-Francis followed it up with a run for a first down, bringing Vista to the Del Oro 32-yard line with 20 seconds remaining. Esola caught a pass at the 10-yard line, but with only seven seconds left, a final pass to Esola in the end zone fell incomplete. Del Oro held on to win 28-25 in a nail-biter, securing victory in the final seconds despite Vista's valiant effort. Peewee Del Oro 40, Vista 13 Vista kicked off to Del Oro to start the game. Del Oro's receiver was stopped by Morgan Murphy on the return. Tackles by Vista's Brock Oppenheim and Everett Martin held off Del Oro for a couple of plays. Del Oro then scored a touchdown after a run by Brett Sloan. Del Oro then kicked the ball short, possibly attempting an onside kick, which was recovered by Vista. Vista held the ball until it was turned back over to Del Oro after four downs. Del Oro's Joseph Kinkaid was then able to score another touchdown. A good field goal kick brought the score to 14-0. Vista received the ball but turned the ball back over to Del Oro after four downs. Vista's defense held steady with tackles by Jaxton Steele, Bradley Nichols, and Brad Larson to end the first quarter. Del Oro scored an early touchdown during the second quarter. A field goal brought the score to 20-0. Vista received the kickoff on the 35-yard line. Vista's Jaxton Steele completed a pass to Christopher Mitchell, but Vista was unable to get a first down. Vista punted the ball to Del Oro. Multiple tackles by Vista's Everett Martin, Morgan Murphy, and Christopher Mitchell held off Del Oro momentarily. However, a completed pass in the end zone to Del Oro's Graham Berry was good for another touchdown. Vista's Nicholas Ahola then received the ball. Jaxton Steele had a couple of good runs for a first down. Vista fumbled the ball, and Del Oro took it to the end zone once again, scoring a touchdown and the extra points was good, bringing the score to 34-0. After halftime, Nicholas Ahola received the ball. Vista's Finley Hollingsworth ran twice for small gains. Jaxton Steele then broke away for a 48-yard run and scored Vista's first touchdown. Vista kicked off to Del Oro and was able to hold them with tackles from Jaxton Steele, Brad Larson, and Nicholas Ahola. Del Oro turned the ball back over to Vista after four downs. Vista's Jaxton Steele was able to run the ball 45 yards for another touchdown. The extra point was good, bringing the score to 34-13, Del Oro. Del Oro scored once again before the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter was more back and forth with the defensive line of both teams doing their jobs. Neither team was able to score again; and the game ended with a 40-13 score.