By BRIAN VanderBEEK
BEE STAFF WRITER
(Published: Saturday, September 25, 1999)

   OAKDALE -- For all of Hughson High's work in breaking down game films to come up with an offensive scheme that would move the ball Friday against Oakdale, the Huskies could not have prepared for one basic reality:

   The best player in the Huskies' offensive backfield was going to be wearing Mustang red and gold. His name is John Davis.

   The senior defensive end hardly worked alone, but his numerous tackles, including four sacks, was a major contribution to a dominant Mustangs' defensive performance in a 28-7 non- conference victory for Oakdale in front of a near-capacity crowd at The Corral.

   "John's a tremendous player -- an all-conference type of player," said Oakdale coach Marc Malone, whose team will take a 3-0 record into next week's Valley Oak League opener against Tracy. "He's tremendously improved and I can only hope that he continues to get better."

   Hughson's offensive woes began with an inability to gain yards between the tackles, a symptom of Oakdale's superior interior size on the line. But Plan B was even less effective. Nearly every time Huskies quarterback Nick Brown dropped back to pass, Davis was making his life miserable from the weak side. Hughson tried to slide a fullback over to help out, but Davis -- at 6-feet-2, 215 pounds -- was too agile.

   "Hughson blocked pretty well and overall I thought they played well, but I was just doing the things that the coaches taught me to do," Davis said. "They kept blocking down on me on the backside with their fullback, but I just made moves and got past him."

   Led by Davis, the Oakdale defense limited Hughson to 20 rushing yards, 128 total yards and only six first downs -- a defensive effort that allowed Oakdale to win by a comfortable margin despite a strong Huskies' defense.

   The Mustangs, held to a relatively modest 265 total yards, scored on their first possession. Two passes from Matt Cox to Ben Cortes gained 37 yards and set up Bobby Monges' 11-yard touchdown run. Midway through the second quarter, Brad Brazil's interception gave Oakdale the ball at the Hughson 47, and the Mustangs moved to the score in 11 plays, with Luke Bell diving over from the 1 for a 14-0 halftime lead.

   The Huskies briefly cut the lead to 14-7 when Heath Villareal returned a punt 50 yards to the Oakdale 19, setting up a 7-yard pass from Nick Brown to Layton McDonald on a fourth-and-goal.

   But Oakdale answered on its next possession with 10 straight running plays capped by Bell's second 1-yard dive with 11:36 left in the game. Hughson was unable to sustain a drive in the fourth quarter, running just eight plays in the final 12 minutes.

   Monges capped the scoring on an 18-yard scamper with 2:14 remaining, a fitting conclusion considering that Oakdale did not attempt a pass in the game's final 20 minutes.

   It was a great defensive game. I know that 28-7 doesn't look that way, but a small school like Hughson holding Oakdale like that is great defense. Since we were on defense most of the night it becomes even more incredible. Luke Avila was in the Oakdale backfield all night long, making several tackles for minus yardage. Oakdale's huge line was able to wear down the Hughson line by the fourth quarter.

   Heath Villarreal didn't have his usual night, on this night he was held way below his average. But Villarreal made his presence know on defense, making several TD saving tackles, the stats aren't in yet but he accounted for about 10 solos tackles. The Huskies were the first team to make the Mustangs go to the air, holding them on the ground thru the first half. Hughson held Oakdale to 265 total yards, but Hughson was held to only 128 total yards.

   Some have asked me about the play calling on the night. And what I saw was good play selection against a much stronger opponent. The running plays just weren't there. Some say Villarreal should have carried more, but his line just didn't give him any holes to run thru. When Villarreal hit the non-existent hole he would still bull for 2 or 3 yards, but not enough to go with any more than we did. I remember a few years ago when we played a very strong Sonora team, coach Reyn Franca told me that one of his goals was to get out with any injurys. This is always important when you play a larger opponent, you have to save your players for league play.

   What doesn't kill you only makes you better. In this repect not only did we survive with no major injuries, we looked good against a large school opponent. I'm very happy with the play of our young men, playing tough all the way. Oakdale couldn't substitude till the very end of the game. We will face no team better than this one, and we will go a long way from here. Congratulations Huskie players and coaches.

First Quarter Oakdale - Bobby Monges 11 yard run (Matt Cox kick) Second Quarter Oakdale - Luke Bell 1 yard run (Cox kick) Third Quarter Hughson - Layton MacDonald 11 yard pass from Nick Brown (Steve Cardoza kick) Oakdale - Bell 1 yard run (Cox kick) Fourth Quarter Oakdale - 18 yard run