Trojans clipped by Ravens

YERMO • After earning its first win last week, the Silver Valley football team faced a tough California City opponent on Friday, and took a 26-7 loss in its first home game of the season.

Though it was a loss, head coach John Stewart was happy with the tenacity showed by his team. The Ravens scored a touchdown in each of the first two quarters, holding a 14-0 edge at halftime. But the Trojans never gave up, coming up with their lone score in the fourth.

“These kids have come a long way from last year. They could have easily put it in the tank at the half, but they didn’t,” he said. “California City is a tough team, they have some good athletes. I thought we gave them one heck of a game.”

The Ravens are indeed an intimidating team, with size and swiftness.

“Their nose is 380 pounds and their tackles are around 280, and they’re very fast on the perimeter,” said Stewart. “We take a lot of pride in our defense, and to hold them to three touchdowns is an accomplishment.”

The Trojans were able to find the end zone with 8:18 left in the fourth. It was a perfectly-executed play, a pass from Evan Martinez to James Liker, who made the grab and ran the ball back 39 yards for the TD.

“It was nice to see us make that play,” said Stewart. “Liker has been wide open so many times and we missed him.”

The coach is expecting more pretty plays from Liker, whom he calls a “point-getting machine”. He also had praise for other players.

“Ashton Thrash didn’t even play football last year, and he’s been all over the field; he’s making seven or eight solo tackles a game,” he said. “And our quarterback (Martinez) hung in well tonight. He’s a great kid and a real team leader. He’s a blessing to have.”

Brian Ili had 34 yards on eight carries against the Ravens.

The loss brings the Trojans’ record to 1-2. They’ve gone 1-9 in each of the last two seasons, so they’ve already equaled their win total of the past two years.

Silver Valley will try to make it 2-2 next Friday, when the Trojans travel to Edwards Air Force Base to take on Desert. The next home game is the following week, when Desert Christian comes to town.

As far as practice this week?

“We’ll get back to the basics,” said Stewart. “But considering that last year this team was giving up around 30 points a game and scoring around three, we’ve already made progress.”