The Laney Eagles football team squared off against the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs at Laney College on Friday, Oct. 28. The Eagles held a 5-2 record on the season coming into Friday’s contest, while the Mustangs were 1-6 and desperately searching for a win. The Eagles won the game with a final score of 45-0.
On the opening kickoff, Laney’s return man Mekal Fuller had an explosive 41-yard return, setting Laney up with great position near midfield to start the game. After a couple of big first downs, the Eagles were in Mustangs territory at the 25-yard line. On first-and-10, quarterback Demontre Thomas connected with wide receiver Regan Wilson for a 25-yard TD to give Laney a 7-0 lead.
On Laney’s second drive of the game, Thomas connected with wide receiver Deven Franklin for a huge 39-yard gain, setting the Eagles up with a first-and-goal. Jacob Harris proceeded to run the ball in for a 2-yard TD, extending the Eagles lead to 14-0.
After a long San Joaquin offensive drive leading them all the way to Laney’s 1-yard line, Mustangs RB Sebastian Branco was stripped by Eagles DB Charles Alberty — who returned the fumble all the way to San Joaquin’s 28-yard line, eventually leading to a 28-yard field goal by kicker Jesse Manzo that made the score 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.
After another San Joaquin fumble, this time recovered by linebacker Cassius McGinty, Eagles QB Trevor Anderson connected with Fuller for a gain of 45-yards to the Mustangs 20-yard line. Later that drive, on a fourth-and-2 at the 11, Harris ran the ball in for an 11-yard TD, increasing their lead to 24-0.
The Eagle’s offense continued scoring, as QB Emonte Scott connected with Franklin for a 50-yard TD. Laney’s defense concluded their first-half dominance with an interception by linebacker Logan Ketcham, and the halftime score was 31-0 Eagles.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Laney’s defense forced another punt, and punt returner Jakobe Harris had a big return off 33-yards, setting up Laney with first-and-goal at the 7. Harris ran the ball in for a 7-yard TD extending the Eagles lead to 38-0.
To start the fourth quarter, Laney LB Nate Glenn sacked QB Malachi Johnson causing him to fumble the ball which was recovered by Eagles LB Jackson Kink at the Mustangs 23-yard line. Laney capped off their night with a 10-yard rushing TD by RB Taj Castaneda making the score 45-0.
The Laney Eagles advanced to 6-2 on the season with the win. The Eagles will play their next game on Nov. 4 at home vs. Diablo Valley.
