Vikings hammer wounded Zebras 35-7

The Lincoln High football team was upended Friday night by host Oakmont 35-7.Playing without starting quarterback Myles Weck (ankle, out for season) and junior running back Ray Betterley (knee, day-to-day) to name just a few of the wounded, the Zebras just couldn't match the experience and synergy of the comparatively healthy Vikings.The Zebras (2-6, 1-3) are officially out of the running for postseason play, but according to senior defensive back Nick Ommen, you won't see any slack in the Zebras play for the last two games. "We know we're out of the playoffs but we're going to go out with pride," he said.Ommen added he believed the Zebras had a good game plan going into the Oakmont game. "We scouted them well," Ommen said. "We knew they didn't pass the ball a lot and when they did it would be up for grabs." It would seem Ommen was one of the few Zebras who paid attention in rehearsals, as he starred in the role of shutdown corner with two interceptions. But those picks provided the only hiccups in the performance of Vikings quarterback Mike Ewing. Using his brother, junior receiver Nick Ewing, as his top target, Mike Ewing was on for most of the night.The senior was 8-of-12 for 159 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while his younger brother caught six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.Ommen was also arguably the Zebras' most dangerous offensive weapon, albeit a little used one. Ommen had some big plays in the kick return game and it didn't take the Vikings long to see the wisdom in kicking away from him. This was a match-up of two teams who knew each other well. The Zebras won the previous two meeting with Oakmont, the last victory costing the Vikings a playoff berth. "This game wasn't about vengeance," said Oakmont coach Dale Mortensen whose team is 5-3 overall and 3-1 in PVL play. "It was about a reckoning."The Zebras were unable to score until late in the game. It wasn't that they couldn't move the ball on the Vikings - they just couldn't move the ball on third or fourth down. And there were plenty of fourth down opportunities, as Lincoln abandoned the punt once it got behind by a couple of scores.Lincoln's lone scoring drive was a balanced, clock burning, 17-play march that started on the Zebra 28 and featured 47 passing yards and contributions from four running backs. Lincoln quarterback Mike Dasilva rushed three times for 20 yards. The Zebras air game was a liability. Dasilva looked sharp and had open receivers all night long. But those receivers were clearly off their game, as Dasilva went 10-for-24 for 81 yards, one touchdown and one lost fumble. His top target was Matt Bombard, who caught seven balls for 34 yards and a touchdown."We knew what we were up against," Ommen said. "We knew what we could do against them. Bottom line, they executed, we didn't."The Zebras will host Mesa Verde (4-4, 3-2) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Mavericks are fresh off a blowout loss at the hands of undefeated Bear River.Although Mesa Verde has a superior record, this is a game the Zebras are fully capable of winning and coach Clint Nelson will certainly have his boys ready to make up for their many miscues.Junior VarsityOakmont 20, Lincoln 14Lincoln's Rex Sievers rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in the loss to the Vikings.Ray Bevans scored on an 80-yard reverse for the other Lincoln touchdown.Carlos Limon (11 tackles), Tony Ramirez, Blake Stark and David Newton led the defense while Lincoln's offensive line was also solid in the loss.Mesa Verde visits Lincoln at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.FreshmenLincoln 20, Oakmont 6Ray Betterley ran in all three of the Zebra touchdowns as Lincoln rolled over the Vikings."We moved the ball offensively and we did a real solid job defensively," Lincoln coach Dan Williams said. "We've seen some improvement in our passing game."Lincoln (3-5) also was very strong on defense as Oakmont's only touchdown came on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.The Zebras dominated the line on offense and defense. Tyler Rosconi played well on both sides of the ball while Gio Ayala, Nic Seargant, Anthony Giles and Oscar Aldrete also starred on the defensive line. Mike Rover, Travis Whalen, Tyler Baumgartner and Casey O'Connor helped out Rosconi on the offensive line.Lincoln will host Mesa Verde today at 5:30 p.m. and close the season at Mira Loma at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.