Cordova takes down Mesa Verde, 15-14, for 400th win in Lancers football program history
The Cordova Lancers simply do not give up. Whether it’s their team spirit or chasing down a guy 75 yards to save the game, perseverance is in their DNA.
The Lancers rallied to beat the Mesa Verde Mavericks 15-14 on Friday night with a late two-point conversion in Citrus Heights for the famed program’s 400th all-time victory. The school opened in 1963 and enjoyed record-setting success in the 1970s and ‘80s before a decline.
Max Miller, Cordova’s all-time winningest coach and a member of the Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame, spoke to coach JP Dolliver before the game to wish him well with history was on the line.
“You guys are part of history now,” Dolliver said to his team after the Lancers moved to 2-0. “Four hundred wins is a major achievement. And to have Max Miller calling us, you know you are special.”
Lancers sophomore quarterback Trey Wallace scored on a first-half touchdown and then celebrated when senior defensive back Sunntavion Hall-Carson chased down Mesa Verde star running back Fred Robinson, who had broken loose for a 75-yard run with three minutes left in the game. He was stopped at the 1-yard line.
On the next play, junior lineman Aayden Huson recovered a Mesa Verde fumble to prevent a score. Wallace hit Donovan Schiffner for a 59-yard play that ended in the end zone. Instead of going for the PAT and the tie, Dolliver went for the winner, and Wallace took the snap and ran it in.
“It’s that type of perseverance that wins games,” Dolliver said. “What Sunny did tonight is not only going to help us win games but is going to help him in life forever. That type of drive sets guys like him apart.”
The game did not end there, however. The Mavericks, led by Robinson, marched to Cordova’s 25-yard line when sophomore defensive back Terryn King leaped out of the air to intercept the ball and end the game.
“This team does not give up,” Dolliver said. “We just want to go out there every week and improve. Play good football. And even though we started off a little slow and didn’t have the best first half, this team stuck with it and fought to the end. I like where this team is going. They just never give up.”
Hall-Carson injured his knee on the game-saving tackle. He credits his coach with motivating him to never give up.
“I have learned so much from Coach Dolliver,” Hall-Carson said. “He keeps us going in every practice and has been just an awesome mentor and coach to learn from.”
Wallace praised his offensive linemen for the victory.
“I started off really slow. I was nervous,” Wallace said. “But it’s my coaches and teammates hyped me up. They got me going and kept me in the game. That line is why I stayed focused and determined in the second half.”
Wallace called back his offensive line back to the field to take a picture with him postgame. That included senior Armani Curtis, Huson, junior Mason Gibbons and senior Orlando Gomez.
Dolliver made sure to commend Mesa Verde and coach Lenny Casillas.
“I have been wanting to play them for years. Lenny always runs a great program,” Dolliver said. “I’ve been trying to get them on our schedule for a long time, but then I started to regret it during this game. That team is really good. They have a great offensive scheme and a ton of talent.”
One of those top talents is the 5-foot-5 Robinson, who scored his team’s two touchdowns on runs of 11 and 21 yards.
Mesa Verde is playing its first full season in its new stadium. The environment was raucous, led by the school band who the PA announcer called “world famous.” This band seemed to have every note and tempo down to perfection and could hold their own compared to any school, thanks in large part to longtime music director Peter Mancina.
This story was originally published August 31, 2024 at 12:12 AM.