Here comes the Thunder: Rocklin strikes down Oak Ridge for commanding win
The Rocklin High School football team was simply dominant in all aspects against Oak Ridge on Friday night in Placer County.
The line play from the Thunder was physical in setting a tone of dominance. The unit consisting of Brad Baur, Daniel Bracone, Caden Brown, Ilaisa Gonebure, Nic Johnson, Joshua Kelly, Bobby Piland, Tim Sartain and tight end Peyton Smith helped the No. 4 Thunder combine for nearly 400 yards of total offense in rolling No. 2 Oak Ridge 38-13 in a meeting of Sierra Foothill League programs.
“It all starts with the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Rocklin coach Jason Adams said. “We challenged our guys at the beginning of the year and said when our offensive line does what they’re capable of doing, we’re going to be good.”
The defense also made plays. Linebacker Hunter Houser had an inception and a sack and edge rusher Evan Niemi had a strip-sack and a recovery.
Rocklin led 24-0 at halftime and 38-0 at the end of the third. Rocklin senior quarterback Richie Watts threw for 146 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to speedy receiver Nathan Kent, who finished with five catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. The other touchdown pass came from Kent’s best friend, Kenny Lueth, in an example of how talent-deep this team is.
Lueth and Watts have shared the quarterback duties this season. They are close and have a good relationship, which includes sharing equal reps at practice.
“They’re amazing young men,” Adams said of his quarterbacks. “Both of those guys prepare as if they’re the starter every play and every rep. They share every rep in practice and watch film together. They evaluate and are critical of each other the right way. (They have) a great relationship.”
Lueth added on his relationship with Watts, “(Richie and I) are great friends. We really push each other in practice and during the games. It makes both of us better.”
Rocklin’s run game was also going. Mason Thomas ran for 51 yards and had touchdown runs of three and five yards. Anthony Johnson ran for the century mark and had a 24-yard touchdown run. Rocklin kicker Cole Becker made a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter and was 5/5 in PATs.
Both of Oak Ridge’s touchdowns came in the fourth quarter. Reese Catchings had a 1-yard touchdown run and sophomore quarterback Drew Cowart connected with Sean Dwyer on a long touchdown pass. Trojans senior leader Brandon Barthel finished with seven catches for 101 yards.
A bright spot for Oak Ridge was its defensive line. Elijah Hansen, Andrew Van Komen, Hunter Nabers and Joey Whiting all had sacks.
“We ran into a better team tonight,” Oak Ridge coach Eric Cavaliere said. “Rocklin is firing on all cylinders. They were a better team in all aspects tonight and it showed.”
He added later on, “We have to do a better job of coming in with energy and be able to match the physicality of a team like Rocklin because we weren’t able to do that tonight. (Rocklin) is really good upfront. That’s where football starts and ends. When the strength of your team is that group, you are going to have a good team.”
Rocklin will play Granite Bay on Friday. Oak Ridge will travel to Loomis to face Del Oro.
Friday night scores
Jesuit 34, Christian Brothers 28
Folsom 45, Del Oro 6
Pleasant Grove 24, Davis 21
Yuba City 40, River Valley 6
Vista del Lago 40, Inderkum 31
Pleasant Grove 24, Davis 21
El Dorado 17, Liberty Ranch 7
Rocklin 38, Oak Ridge 13
Casa Roble 42, Center 22
Colfax 21, Truckee 7
Bear River 28, Western Sierra 0
River City 27, Winters 13
St. Mary’s 54, Tracy 14
El Dorado 17, Liberty Ranch 7
Lincoln (S) 71, Tokay 6
Lodi 62, West 0
Enochs 20, Downey 14
Manteca 47, Ripon 28
Weston Ranch 26, Denair 6
Calaveras 27, Summerville 8
Hilmar 31, Buhach Colony 27
Central Valley 13, Los Banos 12
Atwater 40, Golden Valley 7
Kimball 32, East Union 29
Pitman 48, Gregori 20
Hughson 48, El Capitan 8
Le Grand 13, Livingston 7
Central Catholic 14, Merced 13