Casa Roble conquers Rio Linda
Oct 08, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Shaun Holkko, sports editorCasa Roble sophomore wide receiver Elijah Huddle sprints down the left sideline during a 47-0 win against Rio Linda on Friday, October 7 in Orangevale. Photo courtesy of Heidi Lettau
ORANGEVALE, CA (MPG) – The Casa Roble varsity football team continued to roll on Friday night with its sixth consecutive victory overall and second straight in Golden Empire League play.
The Rams (6-1, 2-0 GEL) have not allowed a single point in GEL play through two games. Following a 70-0 victory at Mesa Verde (5-2, 0-2) last week, Casa returned home and shutout Rio Linda (2-5, 0-2), by a score of 47-0.
In front of a crowd of over a thousand people, the Rams scored 26 points in the first quarter and seven in each of the remaining quarters, respectively, to earn the lopsided win.
The scoring started quickly, as sophomore quarterback Connor Campbell connected with junior wide receiver Cole Owens for a 54-yard touchdown strike a minute into the game. The point after try (PAT) was missed. About three minutes later, Campbell found junior Logan March for a 34-yard TD pass, followed by a failed PAT.
The next score came on defense, as junior outside linebacker Evan Combs recovered a fumble by Rio Linda and returned it 30 yards to the end zone. The two-point conversion attempted was unsuccessful. Campbell’s third touchdown pass of the opening quarter came on a 77-yard bomb to Owens. Campbell then found sophomore wideout Elijah Huddle in the end zone to complete the two-point try.
Following back-to-back sacks from Casa sophomore defensive end Khaaliq Vaughn and junior OLB Daniel Renner, the Knights found themselves deep in their own territory. Then junior safety Dylan Richards returned an interception two yards for the touchdown. Junior kicker Kevin Curry then knocked in his first PAT of the night.
Renner contributed on offense in the third quarter lined up at running back, scoring a rushing TD from 10 yards out. Curry made the ensuing PAT. The final score of the night came on a 30-yard pass from Campbell to senior Jack Spradling and Curry successfully converted the extra point attempt. The Rams beat the Knights 47-0.
With three regular season games remaining, there is a three-team race for the GEL crown. Casa, Dixon and Pioneer of Woodland are all 6-1 overall and 2-0 in league play. All three teams play each other in the coming weeks.
The Rams from Casa host Woodland this Friday, October 14, as Pioneer travels to Dixon. The following week, Casa plays at Pioneer. On October 28 in the final week of the regular season, Casa will host Dixon in a Battle of the Rams which could ultimately be for the league title.