Michael Thomas is used to being a target during games, but during practice?
Thomas, a 6-foot-4 speedy wideout for the Cosumnes Oaks Wolfpack, wore an orange jersey during the week of practice leading up to Friday night's game against the host Vista Del Lago Eagles at Folsom High. Thomas was asked to mimic Vista's dominating wide receiver Logan Smith, who entered the game leading the state in receptions (81) and yards (1,135).
Wolfpack coach Scooter Gomes wanted his defense to always be aware of where Thomas, er, Smith was during every play.
But the Wolfpack's 34-21 victory focused attention on its quarterback, Andrew Williams, who rushed for a school-record 230 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a nifty 59-yard run in the second quarter.
The victory gives the Wolfpack (6-2, 3-1) a tie for the Sierra Valley Conference lead with the Eagles (5-3, 3-1) and Liberty Ranch (5-3, 3-1).
Cosumnes Oaks' ground game kept Vista del Lago's vaunted passing duo of quarterback Aaron Young and Smith off the field for large chunks of time.
Williams and the rest of the Wolfpack runners had success right up the middle over center James Russo and the tag team of right guards Josh Davis and Michael Pesole.
"The game plan was to run downhill," Gomes said. "Their offense is so explosive, you have to have ball control because if they get 70 or 80 plays, you're dead. I think they had maybe 50 plays."
The matchup Friday night was supposed to be between Smith and Wolfpack defensive back Marcus Rios, who's given a verbal commitment to Boise State. But Vista Del Lago couldn't account for Cosumnes Oaks' ground game as the Wolfpack offense ran over and through the Eagles' interior defense.
"He (Smith) and (Aaron) Young are very proficient at what they do," Gomes said. "Their precision is impressive.
" There's just not a lot of programs who can sling it like they do, and that's a testament to those two, as well as coach (Chris) Jones."
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