Bennett’s last-second interception secures Union Mine victory

Tow runs for 273 yards, scores twice

ELK GROVE — Graham Bennett wanted to redeem himself.

After a shaky first half saw Bennett throw two consecutive interceptions in Union Mine's Sierra Valley Conference opener against host Cosumnes Oaks Friday, the senior quarterback, in a twist of irony, made amends by taking back what he'd given away.

Stepping up on both sides of the ball over the final two quarters, Bennett was in at safety to defend against the Wolfpacks' final drive when he picked off a pass in the end zone with 15 seconds left to preserve the Diamondbacks' 14-7 victory.

"That's a huge win for us," said Union Mine coach Dave Johnson whose squad goes to 1-0 in conference play, 2-2 overall. "He (Bennett) didn't have a real great first half but he came back as a team leader."

Bennett stood near the corner of the end zone when he saw Andrew Williams throw the ball. With a receiver nowhere to be found, Bennett made the interception.

"That was my first play at safety this year," Bennett said. "The interceptions (I threw) really tick me off but they (teammates) picked me up and we got back in the second half and moved the ball around."

Friday's game was scoreless in the first half until the D'backs' first offensive series of the third quarter. Running back Sean Tow, following a wall of his linemen, found open room to explode for a 69-yard touchdown run with 10:34 left. Tow's extra point gave Union Mine a 7-0 lead.

"We knew at a certain point he (Tow) was going to break loose," Cosumnes Oaks coach Ryan Gomes said.

Mixing the run with passes, the D'backs scored their next touchdown when Bennett hit Tow on a 33-yard pass with 4:12 left in the third quarter. The extra-point gave Union Mine a 14-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Union Mine fumbled for a turnover but the Wolves couldn't capitalize. Cosumnes Oaks, ranked 15th in the area to start the game, scored its only touchdown with 2:48 left when Williams hit Tavon Willis on a 20-yard scoring strike. Tyler Cass' extra-point made it 14-7. The Wolfpack came in averaging 26 points per game while yielding just 16.

"One of the best teams in our league, if not the best," Bennett said of the opposition. "To come down and make a statement like this after two tough losses (to Ponderosa and Colfax) is huge for us."

Defense was the name of the game for the D'backs in the second half as a key play led to their final touchdown. Cosumnes Oaks had marched into Union Mine territory before D'back defensive back Mike Prather stuffed Willis for a fourth-down loss.

On another stand, Union Mine defensive end Jake Zuniga used his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame to pick off another Williams pass, one of two Williams had in the third quarter.

"The kids played great defense and played their butts off," Johnson said. "We're not the biggest or the fastest or the most talented, but they got a lot of heart and get after it."

Additional highlights for Union Mine's defense came from Scott McIntyre who forced a loose ball into the hands of linebacker Chris Vasquez and the D'backs also stopped Cosumnes Oaks on fourth down at the Union Mine 32-yard line.

Tow had a huge night on the ground for the D'backs with 273 yards on 34 carries. Jeremy Hernandez had eight carries for 43 yards and his critical blocks opened running lanes for Tow.

"We needed a big bruiser type of guy and Jeremy is 225 (pounds)," Johnson said of his fullback. "Just pound (opponents) a little bit and take some of that pressure off Sean. Jeremy did a great job."

Union Mine finished with 356 total yards: 316 rushing, 44 passing. Cosumnes Oaks had 283 yards: 211 rushing, 72 passing.

The D'backs next opponent is Liberty Ranch.

Note: Friday's Homecoming game was an emotional roller coaster for the Cosumnes Oaks program. Thursday morning, Jurelle Davis, who played on the school's junior varsity football team, died after suffering cardiac arrest following a severe asthma attack during the week. Prior to the varsity game, the Davis family was presented two autographed footballs from the Wolves' JV and varsity teams, and his No. 26 jersey was officially retired.