Saturday, Nov. 03, 2012

Dos Palos' winning streak snapped

Dos Palos High's run through the West Sierra League came to a sudden halt Friday in a 31-0 loss to league newcomer Coalinga.

Despite DP's troubles in the preseason, it was the first time the Broncos were shut out since a 62-0 loss to Kingsburg to open the 2011 season.

Coalinga opened the scoring when Damian Ribera picked up a fumble and carried it 74 yards for a touchdown, and a Carlos Enriquez field goal plus a 56-yard Troy Arce-to-R.J. Ybarra pass made it 17-0 at halftime.

Arce struck again in the third, this time to Casey Cole from 5 yards out, and Cole added a 7-yard touchdown run for Coalinga's final score.

Coalinga dominated both facets of the running game, gaining 248 yards to DP's 59. Izzac Suarez led the Broncos with 33 yards on 12 carries. Ryan Willis added 8 for 29, and also notched 8 tackles and a sack on defense. Coalinga's Ryan Vasquez rushed 20 times for 122 yards.

Dos Palos struggled with turnovers, coughing up two fumbles and tossing one interception.

The loss cost Dos Palos a playoff spot -- the Central Section's rules allow all team to go to the playoffs, but many school districts have enacted rules requiring a team to be .500, either overall or in league play. Dos Palos-Oro Loma School District is one that has a .500 overall rule in place, and the Coalinga loss dropped DP to 3-6 (3-1 WSL).

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com