WOLF JV TAKES WIN OVER PANTHERS
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(11/2/07 Chico, CA) The Shasta junior varsity football team completed its 2007 season by holding off Chico 14-13 Friday at University Stadium.
 
It didn't take long for the Wolves to score as Shane Hellyer took the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Hayden Miller kicked the extra point to give Shasta an early 7-0 advantage. Kyle Quackenbush responded for the Panthers by gaining 15 yards on the first play from scrimmage to reach their 38-yard line. Taylor Wakefield's 26-yard reception on second and 15 brought Chico to the Wolves' 41-yard line. The drive ended when Shasta's John Gleason recovered Wakefield's fumble and brought it to the Wolves' 22-yard line.
 
Anthony Moore gained 15 yards a minute into the second quarter for a Shasta first down at the Panthers' 45-yard line. Two plays later, Miller caught a 42-yard pass for a first and goal at the 2-yard line. Brandon Osuna capped off the drive with a touchdown run with 6:51 remaining in the second. Miller's extra point put the Wolves up 14-0.
 
Chico started its next drive after Ian Boyer returned the kickoff 40 yards. A penalty against Shasta allowed the Panthers to go on offense at the Wolves' 48-yard line. Josh Cherrington then gained 37 yards to reach the 11-yard line. Chico faced a fourth and 13 situation, but Quackenbush took a six-yard loss to end the drive.
 
Cherrington's 30-yard punt return allowed the Panthers to start their next drive at the Shasta 20-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Ian Boyer went the distance for Chico's first touchdown of the game. Shaun Boyer kicked the extra point to bring the Panthers within seven points. Chico attempted an onside kick, but Greg Pickering pounced on the ball to give the Wolves possession at their 49-yard line. The drive ended on third and 10 when Moore was pressured into throwing an incomplete pass.
 
The Panthers opened up the second half when Ian Boyer took a 21-yard gain to reach the Shasta 49-yard line. Wakefield's runs of 15 and 17 yards, respectively, allowed Chico to get inside the 10-yard line. The drive concluded with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter when Quackenbush connected with Shaun Boyer on a touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was no good, so the Panthers were down 14-13.
 
Cherrington's punt return early in the fourth quarter allowed Chico to begin its next drive at the Wolves' 30-yard line. the drive only lasted two plays as Miller recovered Wakefield's fumble, giving Shasta possession at their 34-yard line. However, an incomplete pass intended for Miller on third and 8 ended the drive.
 
A fumble recovery midway through the fourth quarter allowed the Wolves to start their next drive at the Panthers' 42-yard line. Osuna's seven-yard gain on second and 6 brought them to the 20-yard line. After a delay of game penalty and a two-yard gain, Shasta faced fourth and 10, but failed to capitalize as Corrie Emmons broke up a pass intended for Matthew Wayda. The Wolves were able to secure the win when Matthew McCartin intercepted Quackenbush's pass with about a minute left in the game.