Oilers go toe-to-toe with Hornets, lose a wild one

The Alameda Hornets swarmed all over Oilers Field Friday night, overwhelming Richmond 71 to 46.

Although the game saw a total of 17 touchdowns, the Hornets sealed the win in the first three minutes of the game.

Hornets running back Donte Cullins got it going for Alameda when he reached the end zone just 55 seconds after kickoff. Richmond fumbled the ensuing kickoff, allowing Hornets quarterback John Ruck to connect with tight end Safi Hasseeb for a 13 to 0 lead.

Assistant Coach Marlyn Johnson takes off his Oilers hat and kneels to give comforting words to Maruicio Munoz, who was visibly emotional after the game. (Photo by Ashley Hopkinson)

Realizing his team was in trouble after giving up two quick touchdowns, Oilers head coach Jeff Tyner demanded a wake-up call.

“Do you realize how important this game is?” Coach Tyner shouted to his players. “They scored twice on mistakes. Wake up!”

Fourteen seconds later, Coach Tyner got what he was looking for—a 59-yard hook-and-ladder that saw quarterback Daniel Esparza connect with wide receiver Isaiah Brown, who then flicked the ball to running back Demariye Williams, who raced down the sideline for the score.

But seconds later, Hornets wide receiver Ryan Carlson caught quarterback John Ruck’s second touchdown pass.

The second quarter saw much of the same, although the Oilers took the halftime momentum into the locker room when fullback Lawrence Bridgett caught quarterback Daniel Esparza’s touchdown pass with just six seconds remaining in regulation. Trailing 20 to 35, the Oilers ran off the field feeling good about their second half chances.

Inspired by only being down two touchdowns at the half, the Oilers coaching staff told their team destiny was in their hands.

Quarterback Daniel Esparza listens closely as the coaches plot strategy on the nearby whiteboard for the second half of the game. “You can’t be afraid to hit ‘em,” said Assistant Coach Marlyn Johnson. (Photo by Ashley Hopkinson)

“I know y’all like scoring touchdowns, but if y’all want to win this game you’re going to have to play defense,” said defensive coordinator Tashaka Merriweather. “If we score 15 touchdowns and they score 16, they still win. We have to get a stop. We must get a stop.”

Oilers assistant head coach Darryl Robinson echoed those sentiments.

“It’s all up to you guys,” said Robinson. “We can call any play in the book, but you guys got to run the plays.”

The second half brought an explosion of scoring. Oilers quarterback Esparza threw four more touchdowns, but in the end the Hornets had too many fresh legs on the field to sustain the offensive onslaught.

Oilers’ head coach Tyner said it’s hard to come from behind with little rest or recovery time when players are taking big hits on the field and playing both sides of the ball.

“Our kids gave it all they had,” said Coach Tyner. “I think it came down to the numbers. If we had another ten good players this game could have been different.”

Alameda Hornets’ head coach Steve Rochlin said he knew Richmond’s football program had been improving the past couple of years but that tonight he had never seen an Oilers team play better in his life.

“Richmond played their hearts out and I really respect them,” said Rochlin. “By far that’s the best effort I’ve seen them play in three or four years. They felt they were in the game and they kept playing at a high level.”

Although Richmond’s defense gave up basketball-like numbers to the Hornets, their future is in good hands with a coaching staff that believes in their effort.

“Y’all got to believe in this,” said Coach Tyner as his team stepped on to the field only trailing by two scores. “Y’all got to want this. Winning is not easy.”

• 11/12/10 Pinole Valley @ Richmond
• 11/12/10 Alamenda @ El Cerrito

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