For the second week in a row Pitman High’s offense produced a season high scoring effort as they defeated Franklin High of Stockton 62-16. The Pride racked up 497 total yards of offense and spread the ball around to nearly every running back on the roster in their homecoming victory.
“A homecoming win is always good with so many distractions during the week,” Pitman’s head coach Brandon Harris said. “It’s just good to come in, be business like, and get the win.”
The Pride wasted no time getting to work, scoring on their first drive in three plays off a Brent Nelle 27 yard run. The Pride took one more play to score on their second possession as Logan Wolfley ran through a wide open lane from 9 yards out into the end zone. Pitman executed another three play drive on its subsequent possession only this time it was Andres Mendez who found pay dirt from 16 yards out. The offense continued its trend of shared accomplishment on the fourth possession with a 41 yard touchdown strike from quarterback Wyatt Clapper to Brennan Hauser making it 26-0 at the end of the first quarter.
“We’re working on getting better each week,” Harris said.
Pitman scored twice more before halftime with a D’Andre Griffen one yard run and another Nelle scamper from 22 yards out.
While Pitman’s offense put on a scoring clinic for the visiting Yellowjackets its defense found joy in dishing out consistent punishment. Franklin’s quarterback and running back were harassed in the backfield the whole night as the Pride exhibited superior physicality. The ‘Jackets managed to score late in the second quarter off an 80 yard pass but the score was the exception to a night of being dominated. Franklin’s quarterback was sacked six times and was responsible for two turnovers and four ‘Jacket players were assisted off the field during the course of the game.
“Our guys spend a lot of time in the weight room; we try to be as physical as we can,” Harris said.
Nelle recorded his third touchdown of the game in the third quarter on a 5 yard run and was followed by a 2 yard Jimmy Zheng score. Franklin scored its final touchdown of the night by way of a six yard run but it was the Pride who had the last word with another Zheng touchdown from 16 yards out.
Although Friday night proved to be an exciting homecoming victory for Pitman the win was bittersweet as Wolfley was forced to leave the game in the third quarter due to a dislocated elbow. It is unknown when he is expected to return.
The Pride will enjoy a BYE week next Friday before kicking of Central California Conference play against defending champions Buhach Colony High.
