Oilers trampled in season finale

The Oilers couldn't catch a break from the Spartan offensive drive. Richmond finished the season 3-6.

The locker room was somber during halftime, as coaches reminded players there was only one half left in the 2010 season.

The Spartans proved a tough adversary for Richmond. Pinole Valley finished its season 9-0-1.

The Pinole Valley Spartans overran the Oilers Friday, beating Richmond 50-0.

It was a tough end to a mixed season for the Oilers, who finished with three wins and six losses. And it was especially rough for the team’s seniors, who won’t get to don the Richmond blue and red again.

The game started off well enough for Richmond: Neither team scored in the first eight minutes, and the Oilers appeared to be holding their own. But things started to deteriorate quickly after the Spartans put up 14 points off a deep rush and an interception before the first quarter ended.

When the Spartan’s Andre Tyson, 10, scored on a 50-yard run in the second quarter — putting the game at 21-0 — Oilers head coach Jeff Tyner began to show signs of agitation.

“Hey Gentlemen,” he bellowed from the sidelines, “are we just gonna give ‘em the game? Come on!”

Despite Oiler efforts to combat their opponent’s strong ground game, the Spartans consistently ran the ball deep into Richmond’s territory and rushed for most of their touchdowns. The score was 35-0 at the half.

Coach Tyner chewed the players out, then assistant head coach Darryl Robinson stepped in to motivate the team. Like many of the players, Robinson was facing his last game.

“Ain’t nobody asking for no miracles,” said Robinson, who is retiring from coaching after this season. “Let’s go out there and have a fight with them. That’s all.”

“You all got one more half for football in 2010,” he reminded the team.

But the Oilers couldn’t turn it around in the second half. The Spartans rushed for two more touchdowns, and even successfully scored a two-point conversion after one touchdown, making the score an even 50-0.

Richmond came heartbreakingly close to scoring in the last quarter, driving the ball from their own 1-yard line all the way into scoring position. But the Oilers couldn’t come through, and gave up possession five yards from the end zone.

After the game, the team was mostly quiet. Tyner didn’t sugarcoat his comments. He said they hadn’t played to their potential — “Fifty points? Come on, that’s ridiculous!” — and told them next year’s team members had their work cut out for them.

After Tyner finished, Robinson came back for one last speech. He talked about the months of hard work and encouraged the players to continue their educations.

“Take this season wherever you go, and build on it,” Robinson said. “Build on it for the rest of your lives.”