By Matt Schuler
(Rowland Heights) – Michael Ball ran for two touchdowns, threw for another, and Rowland (2-0) rolled over California (0-1) 41-9 in front of a home crowd at home Friday night.
Ball connected with fellow senior Danny McMahan on a fade rout in the end zone and it was 6-0 three minutes into play. Cal’s following drive went downhill when sophomore quarterback Drew Castro fumbled the snap, which was picked up by McMahan who returned it 20-yards for the score making it 14-0 with 7:02 remaining in the first quarter.
“This is their first game and were in game two right now,” said Rowland Head Coach Craig Snyder in reference to Cal having no zero week. “They were making some of the mistakes we made last week early in the game and we were able to jump on them.”
Condor Running back Justin Dankert carried the load for Cal and accounted for 93 yards on 17 touches and the team’s only touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Ball scored his first of two rushing touchdowns four minutes into the second quarter and Ervin Crawford added a 24-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 27-0. California’s following drive ended up in more points for the Raider defense when Castro was picked off by Terry Ford, who returned it 18-yards to the house with 1:34 left before half.
“I was real pleased with the way we came out,” said Snyder. “We were focused a little better in the first half.”
The Raiders defense forced Ben Siepak to fumble the ensuing kickoff return and capped off the first half with a Ball sneak from 1-yard out and it was 41-0 at halftime.
The Condor offense moved the ball down the field twice on solid drives, but neither accounted in points, including a 35-yard field goal miss by Cal kicker Francisco Condado.
Rowland plays home next week against Rosemead and Cal travels to La Mirada.
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