By Robbie Enos, Roseville Press Tribune
Nick Blaser’s first pass of the 2010 football season was intercepted by Rio Linda High School defensive back Cameron Scott.
If first impressions supposedly have an important impact, that was proven untrue in the Roseville Tigers’ 62-30 win over the Knights on Friday night in Rio Linda.
The Tigers showcased a powerful offense that produced 454 total yards.
“We were just pumped for the game,†junior running back Casey Lambert said. “We just came together and put up the points. It was just a big game for us.â€
Lambert was the dynamic weapon on the ground, carrying 20 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Blaser threw for 136 yards to six receivers and cut apart the Knights with an aggressive, shotgun-happy offense. But perhaps the biggest contributors were the offensive linemen who led the way.
“They did a great job,†Lambert said. “They got the job done and communicated very well.â€
After Blaser’s interception, the Roseville defense forced the Knights to settle for a 38-yard field goal. Roseville took control with a 14-play drive, ending with Blaser waltzing in for a two-yard score after left tackle Anthony Demartino drove his man out of the picture.
The offenses were just warming up.
Lambert struck the first big blow with a 57-yard touchdown run, benefiting from the teamwork of linemen Demartino and Eric Acosta to create a big hole. After a Lambert fumble, the Knights got the ball back and answered with a six-play drive and four-yard touchdown run by Wesley Scobee.
The turnover ratio would balance out when Rio Linda quarterback Cole Farrow fumbled and gave the ball back to Roseville before halftime. Blaser found receiver Parker Daughhetee in the end zone with 53.9 seconds left.
It got worse for Rio Linda, as Scobee fumbled the ensuing kickoff and gave the Tigers another scoring opportunity. With 49 seconds left, Roseville executed three pass plays, ending in another Blaser-Daughhetee combo.
Rio Linda answered after the half with a 63-yard drive that resulted in another Scobee touchdown.
But Roseville head coach Larry Cunha’s puzzling passing attack had yet to be solved. Eleven plays later, on fourth and seven from the Rio Linda 9-yard line, Blaser completed a pass to Tyler Renville who, benefiting from a good downfield block from Beau Smith, ran into the end zone.
The fourth quarter was a mesh of crazy plays, seeing 40 points scored. Ryan Fratto scored two touchdowns for Roseville, and Lambert registered his second on a well-executed option play.
Backup quarterback Patrick Goyet ran for a 15-yard touchdown and led the Tigers to 13 points.
Roseville’s next foe will be Folsom, coming off its national television debut against Grant. Lambert and the Tigers understand what’s at stake and say they’re ready for the test.
“Folsom’s a good team, and we’re going to work hard when we practice,†Lambert said. “It’s our job to go out there and do our best.â€
News 10 Video
Roseville 62, Rio Linda 30
Roseville 7 21 7 27 — 62
Rio Linda 3 7 7 13 — 30
RL – FG Woll 38
Rose – Blaser 2 run
Rose – Lambert 57 run
RL – W. Scobee 4 run
Rose — Daughhetee 5 pass from Blaser
Rose — Daughhetee 21 pass form Blaser
RL — W. Scobee 13 run
Rose — Lambert 8 run
RL – W. Scobee 1 run
Rose — Renville 4 run
Rose — Fratto 6 run
RL — Goyet 15 run
Rose — Fratto 4 run
Individual Statistics
RUSHING — Roseville, Lambert 20-158, Fratto 8-31, Allin 6-29, Renville 5-62, Cunha 4-16, Blaser 4-6, Tawlks 3-16. Rio Linda, W. Scobee 14-65, Farrow 6-26, Goyet 3-10, Ram 3-(minus 5), Bible 2-7, McCoy 1-12.
PASSING — Roseville, Blaser 9-20-1, 136. Rio Linda, Farrow 10-15-0, 140; Goyet 2-5-0, 54.
RECEIVING — Roseville, Daughhetee 4-46, Smith 2-30, Klimek 1-35, Lambert 1-21, Eltagonde-Gonzalez 1-16, Renville 1-9. Rio Linda, C. Scobee 3-63, W. Scobee 2-41, Ram 2-38, McCoy 2-12, Vierria 1-19, Salaices 1-15, Woll 1-6.
