By: Krissy Hetherington
With one game, Cowhide, remaining in the season, Redwood crushed El Diamante (1-8, 1-3) at Friday night’s game at Mineral King Bowl. The Rangers, led by strong senior leadership, picked up a 48-22 win.
Over the past 15 years, Redwood has only beat El Diamante three times. This game was the fourth defeat and a back-to-back win since the Rangers snapped the six-year losing streak last year.
This season, Redwood’s seven-game winning streak was killed the still undefeated Hanford High School after the 36-20 loss last week.
After that loss, Redwood came back hungrier than ever. Redwood was especially motivated to win, considering that playoff seeding can still change, and there’s still a chance for a league title depending on how Hanford continues to play.
Despite each team’s record this season, they both matched up fairly equally before the game. But the Rangers’ depth prevailed and handily defeated the Miners.
Out of 10 total possessions, Redwood capped off seven of them with a touchdown.
“We were able to run the ball and throw the ball, I thought we kept El Diamante off balanced by throwing and running the ball despite what down it was. When we execute like that, we’re a hard team to be reckoned with,” Redwood head coach Kevin Scharton said.
Caden Shafer led the team with 117 total yards and two touchdowns. Behind him, were the two senior running backs: Diamond Davis with 110 yards and the last touchdown of the game and James Richardson with 100 yards and late in the second quarter.
Sam Olson’s senior leadership stood out in the win as he totaled three touchdowns and seven catches for 127 yards.
“Sam obviously had some good practices this week and it showed on the field … It’s little things like that that make the guys work harder in practice and get that done on the field,” Scharton said. “He adds great value, he’s a team captain, a starter, our go-to receiver, he makes big plays, when he’s out there making plays it picks up his teammates.”
Half the team is made up of seniors, which allowed Scharton to have a very successful start to his coaching career at Redwood High School.
“These seniors are so special because they had to take on a new coaching staff you know, kids are very optimistic coming into the season and for them to find success, it’s a blessing,” Scharton said. “I couldn’t be happier for these fine young men.”
As the season comes to a quick end, seniors reflect on their Senior Night and season so far.
“It’s emotional knowing every time we play a team at this point in the year, it will be the last time, but that just motivates us to do our best,” said Kaleb Wright, ’20, starting middle linebacker. “It makes me want to get the best out of the opportunities and that’s what I’m going to use as fuel to hopefully make a valley championship run.”
Being one of three senior captains, Aaron Garcia, ’20, added, “This season has taught me that no matter what challenges you face, you have to push through, whether or not the outcome is positive or negative.”
Redwood will finish their regular season this upcoming Friday for the 65th annual Cowhide game. The game against Mt. Whitney will start at 6:30pm in the Mineral King Bowl. Tickets are on sale now.