When the Pintos opened Friday's game at Riley Field with two touchdowns right out of the gate, California football fans got the message loud and clear -the Pintos wanted a win...and win they did.
After a 21-0 lead at the half, California went on to shut out Mexico 40-0. A relentless Pinto defense combined with a variety of ball carriers proved key for California.
"Anytime you have over 500 yards of offense and hold your opponent to 113 yards, you have to be happy about that," California Head Coach Marty Albertson said. "Overall, we saw improvement from last week, and hopefully that's the way we'll keep going."
The Pintos opened the 2012 season last week with an 18-7 win against Boonville.
California senior Anthony Price started the action off in Friday's game with a 21-yard touchdown. After Efrain Torres' kick for the extra point, the Pintos led 7-0 with 7:55 left in the first quarter.
California's next drive consisted of one play, a 73-yard TD by junior Jerry Lutz. Torres nailed the PAT and the Pintos were up 14-0 with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter.
While the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize on a turnover at the end of the first quarter, the Pintos were good to go. With just over six minutes left in the first half, California senior Jason Wolverton sacked Mexico's Matt Ridgway for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Bulldogs to punt.
The Pintos ensued with a two-play drive that consisted of a 17-yard run by junior Dylan Albertson, followed by a 40-yard TD by Price. Torres came through with the PAT and California led 21-0.
The Pintos opened the second half with a 76-yard drive capped with a 33-yard TD by Price. After Torres' kick for the extra point, California led 28-0.
The Pintos' kickoff nearly resulted in a TD for Mexico by junior Jamel Taylor, whose big return was ultimately ended by senior Logan Rowles at California's 20-yard line. Nine plays later, Mexico's drive ended with an incomplete pass at California's 11-yard line. This was the closest the Bulldogs would come to scoring the entire game.
California's next possession started with a 19-yard run by junior Seth Fairchild, and was capped just two plays later with a 65-yard TD by sophomore Walker Borghardt. Though the attempt for the extra point failed, California led 34-0 with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter.
The Pintos sewed up the night with their opening drive of the final quarter that resulted in a 13-yard touchdown by Borghardt. After a missed PAT, California led 40-0 with 9:41 remaining, a lead the Pintos held to the finish.
California had 43 carries for 496 yards, while Jaden Barr completed 1 of 4 passes for 23 yards, for a total of 519 yards of offense. Borghardt led Pinto rushing with four carries for 121 yards, including two TDs. Price followed with eight carries for 118 yards, including three TDs. Lutz had five carries for 85 yards, including one TD. Dylan Albertson had seven carries for 80 yards, and Fairchild had six for 49 yards.
Mexico had 30 carries for a total of 70 yards and Ridgway completed 9 of 21 passes for 43 yards, for a total of 113 yards of offense.
Albertson led California tackles with five solos and one assist. Logan Rowles followed with four solos and one assist. Price had four solos. Nathan Squires had three solos, one assist and a fumble recovery. Lutz and Scott Porter each had three solos and one assist.
California (2-0) will host Eldon at 7 p.m. Friday, which is Central Bank Night, at Riley Field.
"Eldon is pretty strong physically, and big," Albertson said. "It's going to be a good game. Eldon probably runs the ball better than any team we will play all year, so it will be a test. Hopefully everyone will come out to support us."
California ended last season with a 38-0 loss to Eldon in game #3 of district play.
Prior to kickoff, the Parade of Champions featuring the Pinto football players will begin at 5:30 p.m.