Coming off the 0-38 loss to conference rivals San Angelo. The Javelinas dropped to 4-2 on the season going into Homecoming Week. The Javelinas matched up against the 21-ranked Central Washington Wildcats and were once again shutout.
After being held up on their first drive, the Javelinas’ top-ranked defense stepped onto the field. A Wildcats 20-yard rush and a 15-yard penalty by the Javelinas left them backed up on their own 30-yard line. Junior linebacker Jaylen Hackney stepped up sacking the Wildcats quarterback for a nine-yard loss while forcing and recovering a fumble.
The Javelinas drove into opponent territory with the help of a 17-yard rush by senior running back Roger Hagan. The Wildcats’ defense held the Javelinas to a 46-yard field goal attempt but Gilbert Garza’s kick was blocked and recovered by the Wildcats on their 37-yard line.
Both teams were in a stalemate for the majority of the first half. Seeing six total punts and a turnover on downs before seeing the first score of the game.
The Wildcats attacked the Javelinas’ defense through the air with a 67-yard touchdown catch and run on the first play of a drive. With a successful extra point, the score was 0-7 Wildcats.
Following a Javelinas’ three and out, the Wildcats had favorable field position. After a 21-yard rush, the visitors crept closer with the Javelinas doing their best to stop the run. Unfortunately, they ran it in for a 4-yard touchdown extending their lead to 0-14 Wildcats.
The Javelinas would turn the ball over going into halftime, sending the teams to the locker room with the Javelinas down 0-14 at the half.
Coming out of the half, the Wildcats drove into field goal range but were held by the Javelinas and forced to kick a 27-yard field goal. The attempt was successful, extending the lead to 0-17 for the opposing team.
The Javelinas’ struggles continued in the second half, failing to reach the endzone. Meanwhile, the Wildcats reached pay dirt two more times leading to the final score of 0-31 Wildcats.
After the game Javelinas Head Coach Mike Salinas had this to say on the defensive struggles, “They hit some big plays on us today. I think we had bad eyes at times. I don’t think it’s what we’re doing defensively. Just have to execute at a higher level.”
Starting sophomore quarterback Teague Sedtal exited the game in the second quarter with an injury, not returning for the remainder of the game.
“We did not sustain drives, we did not get our first downs, we didn’t convert well enough on third downs and we didn’t run the football well enough to win the game,” Salinas said of his offense.
The Javelinas now drop to 4-3 in the season. They travel to Western Oregon to take on the Wolves next weekend.
“Well we only know one way. When things aren’t going your way in football and life you gotta work harder. This one’s going to sting a little, but we got to get at it tomorrow, self-evaluate, and get better,” Salinas concluded.