Continuing its non-league slate, Orestimba High football team won 42-28 against Livingston High at Gustine High School last Friday.
The Warriors remain undefeated at 3-0 overall, while the Wolves remain winless at 0-3. In its first matchup against Livingston in over 15 years, Orestimba are now 4-3 all-time against the Wolves.
Warriors quarterback Jorden Jacobo threw for four touchdowns, increasing his total to six through three games. While the Warriors’ offense found success in throwing the ball, it was their run game that made a difference.
Warriors running back Michael Maier willed the team’s run game with two TDs on the ground. Maier now has four total rushing TDs early in the season.
Going into his second season, Orestimba head coach Austin Martins said running the ball was a point of emphasis during the offseason. If the team wants to have success against Trans-Valley League opponents, they need to establish that part of their offense, he added.
“I’ve challenged the O-line, and they’ve answered the call every single week so far,” Martins said. “It’s far from perfect, we just gotta keep getting better day in and day out.”
The Wolves didn't waste any time on getting on the board as quarterback Roman Gonzalez ran for a 65-yard rushing TD to lead 7-0 in the opening drive. The Warriors, in response, scored on the ensuing drive as Jacobo threw a 6-yard pass to receiver Connor Orr to tie the game at 7-7.
Early in the second quarter, Livingston moved the ball down the field and retook the lead following a rushing TD, 14-7. Similar to the first quarter, Orestimba responded back after Jacobo threw a short pass to Moore, who ran 49 yards towards the end zone. However, the Warriors missed the extra point to trail 14-13.
After bringing the Wolves into Orestimba’s territory, Roman Gonzalez threw a 26-yard pass to a receiver in the end zone to extend his team’s lead, 21-13, midway through the quarter.
With the ball at his team’s 15-yard line, Maier moved past multiple Livingston defenders and ran for an 85-yard TD to trail 21-20.
The Warriors stopped the Wolves and forced a punt on the ensuing drive, setting them up for an opportunity to close the half with a lead.
As his offensive line prevented multiple Livingston defenders getting near him, Jacobo took his time and threw a 45-yard pass to receiver Sean Nunes to lead 26-21. Following a quarterback sneak, the Warriors led 28-21 going into the second half.
Early in the third quarter, Orestimba was on fourth down at the Wolves’ 28-yard line. Instead of kicking a field goal, Martins elected to keep his offense on the field. The Warriors turned it over on downs after Nunes dropped Jacobo’s pass.
The decision to go for it on fourth down later proved to be the right decision as the Warriors forced and recovered a fumble on Livingston’s first possession of the half. Two plays later, Maier ran 8-yards for his second touchdown to extend Orestimba’s lead, 35-21.
After the Warriors reached the Wolves’ territory at the end of the third quarter, Jacobo threw a pass to receiver Joel Gonzalez to 42-21 early in the fourth.
Later in the quarter, Livingston scored after Roman Gonzalez threw for a 48-yard TD pass to running back Jeffrey Meneses, 42-28. Orestimba held on to win.
The Warriors will conclude its non-league slate as the team will travel to Waterford High (1-1) on Friday for a 7:15 p.m. kickoff. The Wildcats are coming off a high-scoring affair against Beyer High, where they won 54-48.
With this being the first road game of the season, Martins told his team to expect the unexpected and be prepared, he said.
“Being able to just stay consistent and to be able to go on the road and get the job done, that’s the key,” Martins said. “We can’t look towards Sonora. We can’t look ahead.”
