Photo by Eric Teala Photography Hornet Luke Rowton tries to negotiate through traffic at last Friday’s home game against the La Salle Lightning. Rowton had four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.
OROVILLE – Despite the final score of 49 to 13, the Oroville Hornets put up a hard fight against a much bigger and deeper visiting La Salle football team last Friday evening.
Under an unusually warm mid-October sky, the Hornets held their own through the first quarter, keeping the Lightning scoreless.
“The boys came out and played hard. We caught them flat footed with a 30 yard pass the first play of the game. We moved the ball well in the first quarter. Mistakes cost a score on that first drive, but we held them and threatened to score as the first quarter ended,” said Hornet Head Coach Tam Hutchinson.
LaSalle came out strong in the second quarter, bull rushing the Hornet’s young lineman.
“They dominated us at the line of scrimage,” said the Hornet coach.
In the second half the Hornets again came out strong and played good football, matching up with La Salle on the scoreboard. In the fourth quarter Oroville started putting in their subs to get playing time and La Salle kept their starters in until late in the fourth quarter, according to Hutchinson.
Quarterback Preston Iverson scored for the Hornets on the run while, Rowton made a reception for Oroville’s only other TD of the night.
“Defenders Carlos Herrera and Justin Rounds played well all night, as did defensive backs Matt Kelly, Nate Swenson and Justin Miller. On offense, freshman running back Nicky Perez and junior fullback Blaine Wagner both ran hard. It was good to see senior Luke Rowton back on the field after being out for four games. Luke had four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown,” said Hutchinson.
Perez carried the ball 22 times for 53 yards rushing, Wagner had nine carries for 36 yards and Iverson had 15 for 34 yards. QB Iverson also made 14 pass attempts with seven completions, while Colton Mead had seven pass attempts and four completions.
