Josh Woodruff's speed was very evident during California's 28-0 win against Hallsville Friday night, performing impressive plays in four different aspects of the game.
"The speed is unbelievable," California head coach Marty Albertson said. "He's starting to come around and make plays on offense, and the last couple of weeks, made big plays on defense, too. In the return game, he's going to break some of those because he's just that quick. He's stepping up and playing."
The senior caught two passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, rushed the ball four times for 34 yards and a touchdown, recorded a first half interception and averaged 22 yards per punt return on three attempts for 67 yards.
"It feels really good," Woodruff said about the win. "I feel like our team is finally coming together and we're making stuff happen."
After he intercepted a pass and returned it 10 yards in the first quarter, Woodruff took the ball from the 4-yard line to score California's first touchdown. The score was set up by a third-down, 17-yard pass from sophomore Jacob Wolken to senior Landon Mouse.
Mouse caught four passes for 104 yards to lead the team.
Throughout the game, California lined up in a trick-play formation on the point-after-touchdown attempts. The Pintos were successful after the first touchdown, giving them the 8-0 lead.
Hallsville moved the ball into California's territory on its next drive, moving the ball to the 30-yard line after Garrett Vincent converted a third-and-two. Ultimately, the Indians turned the ball over on downs.
The Indians moved the ball in the Pintos' side of the field five times in the game while not scoring any points. California forced two turnovers, two turnover on downs and one punt during those drives.
The defense was led Brandan Gump with 12 tackles and a sack, and sophomore Liam Glenn with 10.
During California's first possession in the second quarter, Wolken needed just one play to reach the end zone for his team's second touchdown. Wolken found Woodruff on the left side for a short pass, then Woodruff dodged three would-be tacklers as he sprinted down the sideline for an 84-yard score.
"It's just what we practiced," Woodruff said. "We practice hitting the outside of field after making somebody miss and that's what I have to do."
The touchdown gave the Pintos a 15-0 lead at halftime.
In the beginning of the second half, the Indians looked ready to stage a comeback. California's opening kickoff return was called back due to an illegal block, as they started its first drive on its own 8-yard line.
On second-and-10, Wolken was intercepted to give Hallsville the ball on California's 39-yard line.
"Any time you start a sophomore, you've got to live with the ups and downs with that sophomore," Albertson said. "I just think he tried to do a little too much tonight and tried to force the ball in there a few times when he shouldn't. ..."
The Indians moved the ball to the 7-yard line after a third-and-15, 42-yard gain to get into the red zone. Hallsville's Graham Moser completed the long pass to Alex Peterson to set up the opportunity to score.
But on the next play, Moser fumbled and Wolken recovered from his linebacker position to cancel-out his own mistake minutes before.
Wolken moved the offense 94 yards on seven plays for the touchdown and the 21-0 lead. Sophomore Kyle Hofstetter was wide-open down the right sideline, scoring untouched.
"... But he also made some good passes too," Albertson said.
Wolken completed 11-of-20 of his passes for 335 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions and was sacked three times. He also rushed the ball 10 times for 34 yards.
Hofstetter had two receptions for 69 yards and the touchdown.
With the 21-0 lead, the next three drives for the Pintos ended in turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble, but late in the fourth quarter, California put the game out of reach with another touchdown to extend the lead to 28-0.
Starting the drive with 5:40 left in the game and at its own 26-yard line, the Pintos ran the ball eight-of-nine plays to take four minutes off the clock. Gunner Baquet capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
Woodruff set up the touchdown with his 16-yard run the play before, reversing field while dodging would-be tacklers.
It's homecoming week for California (3-2, 3-0 Tri-County Conference), and the Pintos will host Southern Boone (3-2, 1-2) on Friday at 7 p.m.