California looks for another victory tonight at Eldon

California running back Bryant Davis carries the ball during a game last month against School of the Osage in Osage Beach.

CALIFORNIA - The California Pintos snapped a 21-game losing streak last Friday night with a 33-30 win against the Versailles Tigers.

Now the Pintos (1-4) are looking to get their second win in a row tonight as they travel to Eldon to face the Mustangs (0-5) in a Tri-County Conference contest.

If California wins, it will be the first time since the 2016 season it has won two or more games in a year. It would also be the first time since 2015 the team has won multiple games in a row.

California trailed 15-6 at the start of the second half of last week's game against Versailles. But California outscored Versailles 27-15 in the final two quarters to rally for the win.

The 33 points was also a new season-high for the Pintos. Their previous best this season came in a 20-14 loss Sept. 13 to School of the Osage. The 33 points are the most California had scored since a 46-35 loss to Eldon last year.

California coach Derek Scroggins said the team needs to make sure it keeps taking a step in the right direction.

The Pintos had a big game on the ground last Friday, as Tagen Higgins rushed for 156 yards and four touchdowns and Calen Kruger ran for 116 yards and one touchdown. Scroggins said the success with the running game was a team effort.

"We definitely had multiple guys doing what what they were doing and really it shows how much the offensive line did," he said.

Eldon is coming off a 56-6 loss to Blair Oaks.

Heading into tonight's game against Eldon, Scroggins said he thinks the Pintos will have a slight edge when it comes to team speed.

"Eldon has some bigger kids but we feel that we can utilize our speed a little bit more," Scroggins said.

When it comes to defense, Scroggins said Eldon uses a five-man front and the Pintos have to be ready for Eldon to bring a lot of pressure.

Execution continues to be a key.

"I think we have to keep focusing on execution," Scroggins said. "Blocking to the whistle, carrying the ball with two hands, limiting turnovers, creating turnovers from the defensive side, form tackling, and taking good angles and just basic fundamentals."

Scroggins said the team wants to make sure even though they won last week that they are not complacent or stagnant.

"We want to take what we were able to do last week and tighten the screws even more and keep improving," Scroggins said.