Home Cookin': Muldrow carrying the load for Sierra College

It's not that the football coach is trying to wear out his gem of a tailback.

For Jeff Tisdel, the motto might be more like what Bum Phillips used to say about Earl Campbell, the burly back who grinded his way to a Hall of Fame career with the Houston Oilers a generation ago, something along the lines that the ball isn't that heavy.

Tisdel, the Sierra College coach, looked to Lamon Muldrow a ton Saturday night, and the Cordova High School product carried 53 times for 245 yards in the Wolverines' stirring 20-17 win at Fresno City College, a milestone victory for the program.

Sierra had never defeated a team as highly ranked as the Rams, who entered the game as the co-No. 1 team in Northern California with Foothill College, according to a community college coaches poll. For Muldrow, more achievements. The Bee's Offensive Player of the Year last fall leads the state in rushing this season with 1,219 yards, including a state-best 152.4 yards a game. He has 11 touchdowns.

And he's become the ultimate workhorse back for Tisdel, who actually doesn't mind running the ball, never mind his affinity for passing as a player and coach over the decades.

"Never had a kid carry the ball that many times," the coach said. "Had guys carry in the 40s, but never this many. But the amazing thing is, after the game, he was still bouncing. He got better as the game went on. I kept thinking he might need a rest.

"He plays hard. He's a unique back."

And Carl Moore is a unique receiver. The Cordova graduate caught two Kevin Will touchdown passes against Fresno City, giving him 13 this season.

Mike Grant of Laguna and Dan Hart of Del Oro came up with interceptions for the Wolverines, who moved to 7-1 and 3-0 in the Valley Conference.

The unsung guys on this night? In the trenches: tight end David Olson of Marysville, tackles David Petterson of Sheldon and Clint Lessard of Rocklin, and guards Ryan Brown of Ponderosa and Anthony Patterson of Oakmont.

"It was a great win for our guys," Tisdel said. "We're getting better."

Up and coming

When you think large and in charge with immense upside at Pleasant Grove High School, you think of Armond Armstead, the 6-foot-6, 285-pound two-way lineman bound for USC on scholarship.

There's another one to throw into the picture for PG: Larry Bates. He's a 6-6, 338-pound defensive lineman, a senior who is as polite as he is regal. He's also better in shoulder pads when a bit irked.

Bates responded to some early-game bullying against Jesuit on Saturday by having the game of his life, recording 2 1/2 sacks in doing his part in the biggest win in school history, a 31-28 triumph over the host Marauders.

Napa duo

It took the endurance and will of Napa High's two leaders to bring down the area's longest winning streak, and then some.

Jake Croxdale, the stout and swift running back for the Indians, had 254 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and John Boyett, the every-down wonder, had 171 yards and three scores in Napa's stunning 55-28 rout of Vacaville. So long, 18-game winning streak, and hello, sudden Division I title threat in Napa, which moved to 7-1 and has lost only to Granite Bay.

Boyett plays every down of every series and on kickoffs. He was a receiver last year and now he demoralizes defenses as a quarterback with a deft touch and fast feet.

Kirkland's night

Weber State edged Portland State 73-68 in the highest scoring football game in NCAA history, and Sacramento's Tremayne Kirkland was right in the middle of it.

The Johnson graduate had 13 catches for 177 yards and four of Drew Hubel's nine touchdown passes for Portland State.

It was a record night all around and another banner night for Kirkland, who has 73 receptions for 983 yards and 11 scores. He had the game-turning touchdown against Sacramento State in a win earlier this season and he had 14 grabs for 225 yards and a score against Northern Arizona.

But the losses continue to mount, as does the frustration. Portland State went 7-4 last season, then brought in coach Jerry Glanville to boost the program even more. The Vikings are 2-6.

"It's horrible. I never would have thought that we would be 2-6," Kirkland said after the Weber State loss. "All the things were headed in the right direction ... it's pathetic."

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Joe Davidson, (916) 321-1280.