Sports
Long Week Ends in Loss for Colton
A week after their coach quit at half time, the Yellowjackets are unable to stop a high flying squad from J.W. North.
A tumultuous week off the field didn't get much better on the field for Colton High School's football team Friday night.
Riverside's John W. North High School scored quickly and scored often en route to a 41-10 half time lead, and 48-10 victory at Riverside City College.
Colton (0-2) was playing its first game under interim coach Chris Mailo, after Rick Bray -- who guided the Yellowjackets to a CIF-Southern Section title last week -- resigned after last week's game due to a dispute with the school district, according to published reports.
Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For Mailo and the Colton coaching staff, the emphasis for the players was to remain focused on what needed to happen on the field, not what was happening off of it.
"Focus on the field, we're moving forward," Mailo said. "As far as the program and these kids, we're moving forward.
Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Focus on the game. Just go one day at a time. We're all in it together."
While the players seemed to have their spirits up, it was still not a match for the North (1-0) offense, which scored twice in its first three plays from scrimmage to take a quick 14-0 lead. The Huskies later scored on pass plays of 70 and 80 yards to put the game out of reach before half time.
The good news for Colton, however, is that the Yellowjackets have a bye week in their schedule next week. The week off should help the coaching staff get its system in place and give some of their injured players a chance to heal.
"It couldn't come at a better time," Mailo said. "Just get healthy, just get better."
And, Mailo said, it will help prepare them for league, where playoff spots are earned.
"We told them on Monday, it's a three-week process," he said. "Once we get into league, it's a whole new season."
Key Stats:
- Danny Smith, QB, Colton: 13 carries, 65 yards, touchdown; 3-for-8 passing, 57 yards.
- Randy Valdez, WR, Colton: 13 carries, 55 yards.
- Justin Gheorghe, QB, J.W. North: 12-for-17 passing, 276 yards, four passing touchdowns.
- Aaron Peck, WR, J.W. North: 6 catches, 114 yards, three receiving touchdowns.
- Denzel Porter, RB, J.W. North: 11 carries, 132 yards; 1 catch, 80 yards, receiving touchdown.
