The Nevada Union Miners lost a game, but they maintained a remarkable streak of staying power.

A fumble recovery for a touchdown by Josiah Paye in a 23-7 setback to Elk Grove on Friday night ensured that Nevada Union scored in its 327th consecutive game, a state record that dates to 1984. The one man who has been there for all of it is Dave Humphers.

He was the Miners' defensive coordinator under Randy Blankenship before becoming the head coach in 1991.

Grant beat Nevada Union 36-0 to conclude the 1983 season, and the scoring streak was on with the wing-T the base of it, covering 27 seasons and 22 playoff teams.

The more pressing streak looming for the No. 7 Miners is winning a Sierra Foothill League game for the first time in 30 seasons. Then again, the Miners didn't rejoin the Sierra Foothill League until before last football season after a 28-year tour in the Capital Athletic League.

NU went winless in the SFL last season, losing all five games by agonizingly close scores, all of which has served to motivate the Miners. NU (4-1) has a bye this weekend before SFL play opens with a tough stretch that starts with No. 6 Granite Bay and No. 2 Del Oro.

Nugent accolades – Elk Grove nose guard Matt Nugent was named the Cal-Hi Sports NorCal Top 20 Defensive Player of the Week. The senior had two of his team's six sacks in the win at Nevada Union. Elk Grove's defense has scored more touchdowns than it has allowed this season. No. 3 Elk Grove next hosts No. 4 Grant on Oct. 7.

More streaks – De La Salle's 30-6 loss at nationally ranked No. 2 Aquinas of Florida snapped a 28-game winning streak. The state's longest active winning streak now belongs to a California team that plays in Nevada. Officially, Bishop's of La Jolla has the longest current state winning streak at 17.

Truckee has won 28 in a row, but the Wolverines compete in Nevada to face programs that are closer geographically. Truckee seeks its third consecutive 12-0 season under coach Bob Shaffer.

On the flip side, De Anza of the Bay Area beat Albany 27-22 to halt a 42-game losing streak, the longest in NorCal history. Franklin of Stockton has the Sac-Joaquin Section's longest winless streak at 0-41-3 from 1977 to 1982.

Upstart Cardinals – Laguna Creek is poised for a playoff run. The Cardinals can move to 4-1 with a win at Jesuit on Saturday. They will not be short of motivation after Sheldon drove 99 yards as time expired for a 22-21 win. Laguna is led by dual-threat quarterback Kyle Shepherd and backs Antwon Major and Deshun Williams.

True grit – Senior back Brandon Crotts was the unsung performer for Rocklin (3-2) on Friday, chugging for 72 yards on his final seven carries to put away Ponderosa 31-27. Crotts carried 27 times for 126 yards, and Daniel Kniffin had touchdown passes of six and 15 yards to Matt Laughrea.

Staying grounded – The Delta Saints prefer to grind down teams on the ground, and coach Bob Lee called for plenty of carries for Avory Trejo and Vince Heffington against Valley Christian. Trejo rushed for 138 yards on 15 carries and Heffington 174 on 28, but to keep things interesting, the touchdowns were scored on rushes by Cory Wallace and Jay Harding in a 14-13 win.

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