By Marcus D. Smith—
Mesa Verde High School’s football team is beginning their league play against Pioneer High School (Woodland, CA), and the Mavericks boast a 3-1 record. The Mavericks are coming off of a bye week, so they have had an adequate amount of time to rest and get repetitions in practice.
The last time they strapped on their pads was on Sept. 20 for the Citrus [Heights] Bowl against San Juan High School, where they put on an offensive display defeating the Spartans, 41-14.
The Mavericks average 35.6 points per game in three wins on the season. Their only loss coming in a six-point outing against Golden Sierra.
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Pioneer will be coming out looking to strike first. Their last game was against Highlands High School where they were defeated, 36-22. That game was Highlands’ homecoming game.
This week it will be Pioneer’s homecoming and they hope to taste the same euphoric feeling that comes with winning on homecoming. That will not be an easy task as Mesa Verde has already spoiled one homecoming when they played San Juan High School.
From last week: San Juan HS spoils Mira Loma’s homecoming with shutout win, 30-0
The Mavericks are coached by newly acquired, Bryan Golder, who has eight years of previous coaching experience at Liberty High School. He brings in a new culture to Mesa Verde that has seen an immediate turn around.
Last season, without Golder, Mesa Verde went 1-10 overall. Their lone win came against league opponent, Mira Loma High School. They have already tripled their wins from last year and league is just beginning.
Mesa Verde comes into this game ranked 20th by MaxPreps with best chance finish winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V. Pioneer is ranked 15th.
The Mavericks will be on the road Friday heading toward Woodland to extend their win streak to three games against the Pioneer Patriots. Kickoff starts at 7 p.m.
The Sentinel is pleased to introduce sports reporter Marcus D. Smith, who will be covering high school sports in Citrus Heights. Smith is a Sacramento-area native and earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2017.
