One Vallejo High football player could only shake his head in bewilderment during the postgame handshake as the line of Placer players went on, and on, and on. His reaction summed up a lopsided game to open the 2010 season at LeFebvre Stadium Friday night.
The Hillmen overwhelmed the visitors with their strength, depth and execution in a 48-13 win. Senior Josh Turney was nursing a sore hamstring, but shrugged it off to finish with 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just six carries - all in the first half.
Senior linebacker Caleb Mitchell intercepted a pass on Vallejo’s opening drive to set up Placer’s first touchdown of the season - a 3-yard plunge by sophomore Michael Robinson. The Apaches, who suited up just 22 players, responded with an impressive 72-yard drive to tie the score at 6-6 late in the opening quarter.
The Hillmen then reeled off seven unanswered touchdowns to run away with the victory. Turney’s 30-yard TD burst with just 36 seconds left in the first half made the score 34-6.
Several Placer players made impressive varsity debuts, including junior Brad Spangler. He was a star for the Nevada Union junior varsity team last season. After transferring down Highway 49 to Placer, he suited up in green and gold for the first time Friday night.
“I’ve been putting on blue and gold all my life, so it was a little weird today,” said Spangler, who had a 17-yard TD run in the second quarter and a 62-yard scamper for a score in the third. “But I love it here. It’s a good environment. It’s an awesome place. It’s fun to be a Hillman.”
Sophomores Robinson and Eddie Vanderdoes looked right at home after making the jump from the freshman team to the varsity squad. Robinson rushed four times for 19 yards and one touchdown. Vanderdoes, a 6-3, 250-pound nose tackle, had three tackles and clogged the middle to help hold Vallejo’s rushing attack to 178 total yards on 56 carries.
Junior Joe Mangino had an 8-yard touchdown run in the second half to cap the scoring for the Hillmen.
Placer’s defense sharpened up after a few early miscues and dominated in its season debut. Senior Zach Scott was a difference maker on the defensive line, where the Hillmen lost a load of talent to graduation.
“It felt really, really good to be out there,” Scott said. “I didn’t get to play much last year. Now I’m trying to live up to what Michael Gray did last year. I think I can do it if I keep working hard.”
Placer will be on the road Sept. 4 at Bethel of Vallejo.
Junior varsity
Placer 47, Vallejo 12
The Hillmen rolled in coach Jim Packheiser’s coaching debut. Quarterback Casey Yunk threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to spark Placer. Tyler Lipsmeyer caught a touchdown and ran for another. Alex Graziano, Isaac Brahce and Brendan Packheiser added rushing TDs for the Hillmen.
Defensively, Jacob Peek and Corey Schlittenhart had interceptions. Jake Lewis and James Hubbard provided excellent line play for Placer.