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But it was in the neighborhood.
Vacaville High School’s football team ran a perfectly executed hook and ladder play on a crucial third-and-15 to essentially wrap up a 34-31 Black and Blue rivalry win over crosstown rival Will C. Wood Friday night at Tom Zunino Stadium.
Leading 27-25 with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Vacaville faced a third-and-long at Wood’s 30 yard line. The Bulldogs dialed up a hook and ladder trick play with quarterback Jeremy Villalobos hitting Trevor Marshall about 10 yards up the visiting sideline. As Marshall was about to be tackled, he shuffled the ball to running back Dylan Warfield, who was trailing the play. Warfield caught it in stride, bulldozed a Wood defender and cruised into the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown that stunned the Wildcats.
Wood did well to quickly respond with a five play touchdown drive as Jhalen Grayer found Adonis Dennis with a swing pass in the flat and Dennis did the rest for a 38-yard score to cut the lead to 34-31 with 2:39 left. But Vacaville recovered the ensuing onside kick and picked up one crucial first down to drain the clock and seal the victory in the final game of the regular season for both teams.
After losing four of its first five non-conference games, Vacaville (6-4, 5-0 MEL) completed the Monticello Empire League sweep to win its second straight solo league title.
Wood finished the regular season 7-3 and 3-2 in MEL play with back-to-back losses to Vanden and Vacaville to end the campaign. The Wildcats took third place in the MEL standings.
Both teams will learn their playoff destiny when the Sac-Joaquin Section releases the postseason brackets on Saturday.
The 2018 Black and Blue Bowl began with Wood reaching the end zone first on a 1-yard dive by Derriyon Jack. That play capped an impressive six play drive that covered 67 yards as the Wildcats went up 7-0 with an extra point from Austin Clark.
Vacaville answered with a six play drive of its own with Nick Smith capping the possession with a 16-yard sweep around the left side for six. Brandon Talton made the extra point to knot the score at 7-7.
The Bulldogs recovered the ensuing kickoff before a Wood player touched it and went the remaining 30 yards for what appeared to be a 13-7 lead, but miscommunication between the referees and coaches resulted in disaster for Vacaville.
Chris Island punched it in from a yard out and Talton came on for the extra point attempt and missed. Most in the stadium believed the Bulldogs had taken a 13-7 lead, but after the referees met for close to 10 minutes, the points were taken off the board.
The explanation was that a chop block was called on the Island touchdown. The Vacaville coaches believed a personal foul was called, which by rule would be assessed on the point after attempt by Talton. Instead, a chop block penalty was called and assessed on the actual running play. Therefore, what Vacaville believed was Talton’s long extra point attempt was actually a field goal try, which he missed. The points were taken off the board and Wood was given the ball at the 20 yard line.
The Wildcats marched the ball down the field and added three points on a Clark 27-yard field goal to go up 10-7.
Vacaville later took a 14-10 lead by covering 99 yards in two plays. Warfield got the Bulldogs out of danger with a 44 yard run before Villalobos connected with tight end Mike Brown over the top for a 55-yard touchdown strike.
Wood took its final lead of the night on another one-yard touchdown run by Jack to push ahead 17-14. That play was set up by a tough 18-yard Grayer run down to the one yard line.
Vacaville then took a 21-17 lead into the halftime break as Clayton Watterson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to cap a 97-yard drive.
After a scoreless third quarter, Watterson put the Bulldogs ahead 28-17 with a 6-yard touchdown run.
Wood answered quickly with a Grayer 20-yard touchdown pass to DeShawn Smith, who caught the ball off a deflection from Vacaville’s Nick Smith.
That score cut the lead to 28-24 with 6:51 left in the fourth quarter, but Vacaville held on in large part due to the hook and ladder touchdown on the next drive.
Warfield led Vacaville’s ground game with 158 yards on 17 carries. Watterson carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards and Talon Abramowicz added 69 yards on nine touches.
Villalobos finished 9-for-12 passing for 159 yards and a touchdown. Michael Brown caught three balls for 74 yards and a score. Devon Mills had three catches for 40 yards.
Wood was led by Grayer, who completed 29-of-44 passes for 327 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 67 yards.
Dennis snagged seven balls for 120 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield, while DeShawn Smith had 64 yards and a score on five catches. Isaac Pewitt posted 48 yards on six catches.
Vacaville 49, Will C. Wood 14 >> Kyler Abramowicz rushed for two touchdowns and Bo Hernandez ran for three scores as Vacaville came away with a 49-14 victory in the junior varsity Black and Blue Bowl.
Lorenzo Lentini added a 10-yard touchdown run for the Bulldogs. Wade Walters hauled in one reception and blocked well for the Vacaville rushing attack.
Quarterback Kyle Bender surpassed 1,000 yards passing on the season with another solid game.
The Offensive line was led by Colin Bair, Dakota Lodel, Dylan Pero, Jagger Ankney, Parker Kenner, and Tyler Edmonds.
Defensively, Vacaville was led by Jason Foulk Jr, Jacob Fien, and Isaiah Mizzi.
Logan Cunningham rushed for a touchdown and 65 yards while also making seven tackles on defense.
Chris Sacca was 7-for-7 on point after attempts and made a nice onside recovery kick that Vacaville recovered.
Vacaville’s junior varsity team finished 6-2-2 and 4-0-1 in league play to win the 2018 MEL title.
Vanden dominated in every area in a 54-6 rout at Rodriguez in MEL action.
The win guarantees a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth for the Vikings (7-3, 4-1 MEL), who took second in the MEL behind Vacaville.
Jonathan Brenes put the first points on the board for Vanden, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run after a blocked punt put the Vikings inside Rodriguez five yard line.
Jordyn Bartley quickly made it 14-0 Vanden with a 2-yard touchdown run that capped a 59-yard scoring drive.
After both teams traded interceptions, Vanden got the last laugh by forcing a safety to go up 16-0. Taylor Bruner later added a successful field goal try to put the Vikings ahead 19-0 in the first quarter.
A 43-yard touchdown burst by Jayden Blakely made it 26-0. On Vanden’s next possession, Brenes found Taylor Williams for a 23-yard passing touchdown as Vanden went into the halftime break up 33-0.
Brenes finished his night 4-for-7 passing for 89 yards after taking over for Corey Abrams, who suffered an injury in the first quarter.
Blakely ripped off a 55-yard run, setting up his eventual 2-yard touchdown run as Vanden marched down for another score to open the second half to take a 40-0 lead.
Bartley made it 47-0 Vanden with a 74-yard touchdown run on Vanden’s next drive.
Bartley scored his third touchdown from three yards out in the fourth quarter to finish the Vanden scoring for the night. Rodriguez scored a late touchdown to make the final score 54-6.
Bartley finished with 124 yards and three scores on 10 carries to lead Vanden’s ground game. Blakely added another 145 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
Jackson Forbes and Brenes had interceptions on defense.
VCS lost its fifth game in a row to end the season with a 76-12 loss at Rio Vista. The Falcons finished the season 4-6 and 0-5 in Sierra Delta League play.
No VCS stats were available as of press time on Saturday.
What the hell is wrong with South Carolina?
The South Carolina House voted Thursday to cut all HIV/AIDS funding from the budget, a funding issue that could affect thousands of South Carolinians.
The South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force reports there are more than 14,000 people living in the state who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS. About 3,000 people rely on government funds for medications.
. . . Dr. Bambi Gaddist of the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force says when state funding began in 2006, more than 600 people were on a waiting list for medicine. Four of those people died.
Currently South Carolina ranks 8th in newly diagnosed HIV cases and that is up from last year when it ranked number nine. And new infections are hitting young black and bisexual gay men at an ugly rate.
But none of these things seem to be a matter of concern to the South Carolina Legislature.
It’s an ugly indictment on the hypocrisy of the supposed Bible belt region.
It is written that Jesus healed the sick, but I guess things have changed to the point that those who claim to be his followers have no problems with ignoring the sick.
Is it ever worth losing your cool?
Did you get your wristband for Bamboozle?
No strawberries? Is it a fill-in-the-blank roll-up?
Denver passed away on December 22, 2018 in Kelowna, BC at the age of 24. He is lovingly remembered by his parents Storm and Karen Moore and his sister Mykala (Kyle) Hillier. He is also dearly missed by his grandparents Jerry and Annette Moore, Stan and Eva Burns, as well as all his aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family. Denver was predeceased by his maternal grandfather George Clarence Shaw.
Denver enjoyed spending time with friends and family; hiking with Sophie and Rock. He also enjoyed working to build homes and change lives on various mission trips.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on January 5th, 2019 at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 W. with Rev. Tim Schroeder, Brody Jespersen, and David Hockley officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Denver’s memory to Kelowna Gospel Mission, 251 Leon Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y6J1.
Dear Storm and family, my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your son and brother. Your family will be in our prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for your family during this devastating time of grief.
There are no words to ease your ache and sorrow, and we are sorrier than we can say. We pray the spirit ease your suffering in time.
Gosh, I am very sad to hear of your loss. It is hard right now, and it will be hard later too, but may it bring you comfort knowing that he is with his Maker and you will see him again. I will continue praying for you!
I am so sorry for the loss Denver. Praying that God will surround you with His Comfort and HIs peace at this very tragic time.
Dear Storm, Karen, Makayla and extended family.
Judy and I are praying for you at this time of grieving. You and yours have been close to our lives and we have often recalled the blessings we shared because of your faith and commitment to our Lord.
May His gracious comfort be poured out upon you in these difficult days. Because of this great trial, you will develop a greater focus in ministry and will be able to extend deeper counsel to others who also face such sorrow. Keep trusting Him!
Praying for you today, may God give you peace, and may you know that you are never alone.
I'm so saddened by the loss of such a wonderful young man. I'm praying for God's comfort and strength and peace in your lives. May you know that you are loved by many.
Storm, Karen and Makayla, this is so sad -- I know The God of all comfort is there for you, to do His thing in your lives. He brings peace in the darkest of nights. Hold all the memories your have of Denver, you may laugh through your tears. That's OK. Cherish it all. Prayers for you continue. Lovingly, Martha Willms.
We are praying for your family and so saddened by the loss of your son and brother. We can't imagine the pain and grief, this world will never make sense which is proven even more by your son's story, but we hope and pray Jesus can bring you peace and comfort despite your loss. You pour into so many lives and just know you are having eternal impact.
My heart aches for your unimaginable loss. May God use your many tears to help heal you and give you hope and peace.
Your grief is deep but you're not alone.
Storm, Karen and Makayla, my heart weeps at the loss of your son and brother. I pray the love and life you have invested in so many will return to you in ways beyond your imagination during this time of sorrow and mourning and in the years to come.
May love surround you, compassion protect you, peace eventually invade your breaking hearts, and hope find a way to ease the pain.
Our hearts and love go out to you. We feel so paralyzed by this news. The last time we saw Denver was at our wedding. I wish I could talk to him now. The regret will be eternally mine. You both will find the strength to go on for your beautiful daughter.
Peace and comfort to you Storm, Karen and the entire family. We will keep you in our prayers during this diffucult time.
Storm & family, I can't even fathom how deep your mourning must be with the loss of your son and brother Denver. Thinking of you and praying for you all. May he Rest In Peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Storm, Karen and Maykala, our deepest sympathy for your family during this time. Our family's thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so sorry for your loss.
I am so deeply saddened by your loss & sending you my love, thoughts & heartfelt prayers every day.
Storm, Karen and Makayla, we are extremely saddened hearing of the loss of Denver. Our deepest sympathies go out to you all. We are keeping you in our thoughts and praying for God to bless and comfort you. Sending you our love.
My love and thoughts are with you. I hope strength and peace find your family at this tragic time. Denver, my cousin, may you Rest In Peace. Love always.
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers as you travel this hard road together. Drew remembered the time we went skiing together fondly. May the God above, who loves us all, bless you, keep you close, and give you strength during this time. We will be in touch.
I grieve for the loss of Denver. In the short time I spent with him, I enjoyed our talks and hearing his hopes and dreams. He was a gentle soul.
I pray for the Lord's peace and comfort for you at this time.
Karen and Storm, so very sorry for the loss of your son Denver. We can only imagine your pain, but know Jesus can carry you through this heart wrenching time.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your son/ your brother. Our family is also praying for you during this difficult time. Our thoughts will continue to be with you all.
We were so saddened to hear the tragic news of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and trusting God to give you all strength and a sense of peace at this time.
Heartfelt love and prayers for peace, comfort, courage and strength for this painful time.
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Denver. We have many fond memories of Denver and Brady playing hockey together in Simons Valley. He was such an energy on the team and always smiling. Much love to all of you.
Please know we are thinking about you.
Storm, Karen, Makayla & hubby, my heart bleeds for you. I can't imagine. May our Lord Jesus give strength & peace daily.
What words could reach the depth of profound loss for you.
I am so very sorry to hear about Denver. I just can't imagine your loss, hurt & pain in losing a child. Our love & prayers are with you now and always. Sending you hugs.
Let the love of God feel you with peace as you go through this difficult times. Prayers and hugs.
We are very sorry to hear of your loss of your son and brother. May God wrap His loving arms around you all and hold you close both today and in the coming months. Praying and praying even more for you all. Hugs.
Sending you condolences on the loss of your son and brother.
May you feel God's loving arms surround you in the days ahead.
Praying you will be blessed with peace and strength from your Heavenly Father.
I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine your pain. We will continue to keep you in our prayers and thoughts.