For the first time in the 2023 season, the Sierra College football team led wire-to-wire as they took down Feather River 51-7 at home on Saturday.
The Wolverines played their best defensive game of the season only allowing a rushing touchdown in the first quarter while limiting the Golden Eagles to 93 passing yards. Jonathan Brown totaled 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss while Bradley Rankin had 10 tackles. Jalen Bryant had Sierra's lone sack while sophomore Dezrynd Lewis intercepted his third pass of the season.
"I have to give credit to my teammates and coaches," Lewis said. "The game planning and film breakdown has made it so much easier for me. ALso, my teammates trusting in me and communicating always being on the same page. I've definitely improved on being a ball hawk as well as being a leader on the field. I still need to work on my man-to-man technique to make sure that I'm always square to cut off routes so I can make more plays on the ball."
On offense, Sierra was once again led by quarterback Cruz Herrera with four total touchdowns and completed 17 of his 23 passes. Freshman and Oak Ridge alumnus Sebastian Sutton caught both of Herrera's touchdown passes and he finished the game with 79 receiving yards.
"It was a great offensive performance all around," Sutton said. "The offensive line did their job blocking, Cruz did a great job reading the defense and making plays with his arm and feet, the running backs ran hard and the receivers did well blocking and making plays when they got their opportunity. For me personally, I would say the thing that has improved the most since the start of the season is confidence. As a true freshman, the first few games are an adjustment. As the season has gone on, I have felt more comfortable and confident out there."
Elijah Reed, Elijah Marin and Dre Love all ran for touchdowns while Herrera ran for two scores. Jeremiah Moore and Dontae Robinson combined for nine receptions and 107 yards. Andrew Dennis converted a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter and made six of his seven extra point attempts.
The Wolverines will now travel to Shasta on Saturday before playing back-to-back games against CCCAA Top-10 teams in Butte and American River.
"The mindset is one game at a time, but knowing we have to win out," Sutton said. "The coaches say these league games are like a second season. We are 1-0 this season and need to continue to win every game and get the win."