Orestimba High football continues its struggles following a 41-0 shutout against Hilmar High at home on Oct. 11.

The Warriors have now lost three consecutive games and fall to 2-5 overall while remaining winless against Southern League opponents at 0-3. Orestimba remains winless in all-time matchups against the Yellowjackets at 0-10.

Hilmar came into Friday's contest with a sense of urgency after a 22-21 loss against Sonora the week before. On the game’s first play, the Yellowjackets made a statement.

On his first throw of the night, Orestimba’s John Navarro threw a pass intended for Michael Maier. However, Hilmar’s Nathan Ayala had other plans. He made a last-second look at the ball and jumped in the air for an interception at midfield.

This set up the Yellowjackets’ first play of the night, who scored a touchdown after Jorden Jacobo threw a 50-yard passing touchdown to Leo Nunes for a 7-0 lead.

After the Warriors’ failed to go down the field, Hilmar’s offense drove down the field to Orestimba’s 10-yard line. After two-down attempts, Lucas Belo rushed into the endzone for a two-possession lead, 14-0.

It went from bad to worse for Orestimba in the second quarter. The Warriors muffed a punt return at its 20-yard line after the kick didn’t go in the air. After Hilmar recovered the ball, Adam Branco received a handoff and ran to the endzone to increase the Yellowjackets’ lead, 21-0.

Throughout the opening half, Hilmar’s defensive effort was second to none as Orestimba couldn’t get within the field goal range. Just like its defense, Hilmar’s offense continued its dominance against Orestimba’s secondary.

After completing a play to start the game, Ayala made another play but this time on offense. He was found on a streak route by Jacobo and ran 50 yards for a touchdown to increase the Yellowjackets’ lead, 28-0.

Bronco later ran 53 yards for another rushing touchdown to give Hilmar a 35-0 lead .

Just as the Warriors’ found some momentum going down the field, that moment would be short-lived after Hilmar’s Riley Butler picked off Navarro.

With less than a minute left, the Yellowjackets successfully drove down the field to Orestimba’s 10-yard line. Rather than attempting a field goal, Hilmar decided to go for a touchdown at the end of the half. That gamble paid off as Jacobo found Vincent Machado for his third touchdown pass to seal the game before halftime, 41-0. Hilmar missed the extra point attempt

With three games left in its regular season, the Warriors will travel to Hughson High on Friday. Kickoff begins at 7 p.m.

Navtej Hundal is a freelance journalist in Stanislaus County