Amador quarterback Clayton Daneri breaks away. Photo by: Casey Landrum - www.sportshots4u.com Donovan Mason had a great night. Photo by: Casey Landrum - www.sportshots4u.com

Amador and Argonaut high schools cruised to victories last Friday night. They were joined in victory lane by Linden High School, which shut out Waterford, 49-0.

The other three Mother Lode League teams suffered painful, narrow defeats. Calaveras was shocked by Bear River, 9-0. Ripon downed Summerville, 32-23 and Bret Harte was narrowly defeated by Central Valley, 35-32.

Amador 31 - Hiram Johnson 6

After two encouraging wins, Amador High School tries to make it three in a row when they take on the highly regarded Dixon High School Rams at the Buffaloes' field tonight at 7:30 p.m.

This will be the first real test for both Amador and Dixon, as both sport 2-0 records on easy wins.

Amador has been effective both offensively and defensively in their two outings and has given indications that new coach Bill Baker's rebuilding job may be ahead of schedule. The Buffaloes have not been seriously challenged in wins over Golden Sierra 27-7 and Johnson 31-6. They will be tonight.

Scott Winslow's Rams, defending champions in the Division IV Capital Valley Conference, are favorites to repeat in their league. Dixon returns eight starters each on offense and defense, including the league's 2008 MVP quarterback Jeffery Anderson and all-league running back Mike Hendrix.

The Thundering Herd counters with running back Jesse Moreno - who is averaging 151 yards per game - and with an improving defense.

"We have a great group of guys," said Coach Baker. "This is a process (rebuilding a program), but our players are committed; and our coaching staff is really doing an outstanding job. I can't predict what's going to happen the rest of the season, but we are making progress."

The team's performance to date supports this. The Buffaloes delivered a nice balance of offense and defense in their win over Hiram Johnson last Friday.

The Herd got all they needed in the first half, on a 7-yard touchdown run by Moreno, a 28-yard TD reception by wide receiver Clinton Tremelling, and a 33-yard field goal by Donovan Mason

Amador padded its lead in the second half on a 9-yard run by running back Anthony Antonicchio and a 52-yard interception return by Mason.

Moreno accounted for 163 of the Herd's 176 rushing yards. Amador got another 73 yards on quarterback Clayton Daneri's 4-of-19 passing.

Turning in strong defensive efforts were Bleau Bailey (5 solo tackles, 6 assists and a sack), as well as Chris Knapp and Jacob Quinn.



Argonaut 55 - Golden Sierra 0

Argonaut's Mustangs have rolled to a 2-0 record this season, but it can be argued that tonight's 7:30 p.m. game at Ripon is their real season-opener.

Coach Rick Davis' Mustangs have hardly worked up a sweat in their two easy wins; and their starting units have played only one second-half series so far this season.

Ripon could be a challenge. The Indians broke the hearts of the Mustang Nation last season with a last-minute touchdown that gave Argonaut its first loss of the season, 16-14. The Mustangs want revenge.

Ripon is 2-0, same as Argonaut, but the Indians have had close calls against Mother Lode League teams from Linden (25-21) and Summerville (32-23). Argonaut has been unstoppable on offense and immovable on defense, beating Valley 56-6 and Golden Sierra 55-0 - with the starters going to the bench at the half in each game.

All this would suggest that tonight is payback time.

Last Friday's game was another laugher. Though the gritty Golden Sierra Grizzlies put up a fight against Argonaut, the issue was really never in doubt after the first quarter. Argonaut put up 20 second-quarter points to build a 27-0 halftime lead.

The Mustangs iced it when they opened the second half with a 56-yard drive that stretched the lead to 34-0; then the second units came on and continued the rout.

"I have to give (the Grizzlies) credit," said wingback Dan Welch. "They never quit. But our line was great and our defense just stuffed them. The whole team played great."

Welch led all rushers with 127 yards on 7 carries and three touchdowns, followed by fullback Mark Garbarini with 70 yards on 7 carries and a 31-yard TD pass to Welch.

Quarterback Brad Steuble was a perfect 7 for 7 for 100 yards passing and ran for 36 yards in three carries.

Defensive standouts were Angelo Petriello (9 tackles), Cole Breedon, Zach Devaney, Clint Gibson, Sam McCarthy and Cody Oldham.

The Mustangs ran up 441 yards in total offense, 321 on the ground.