Leading 27-20 at halftime of its home and season opener on Aug. 26th, the Cordova High School football team needed to find a way to slow down the visiting Rio Americano squad.

The Lancers made adjustments on defense that paid off, which led to a 55-20 victory at Lancers Stadium.

The Lancers’ defense held the Raiders to 24 yards on 23 carries in the game. Leading the way were linebackers Michael Gonzalez, Kenny Haney and Jason Johnson, who led the team with 12 tackles in the game. Gonzalez had nine and Haney seven.

“I thought our defensive scheme and general play was awesome,” said Cordova head coach Darren Nill. “I would say my front seven were extremely effective.”

Lancer defensive end Clifford Bright had five tackles in the game. Defensive tackle Kelechi Njoku and defensive back Terrell Johnson had four each.

As the Lancers’ defense put the hurt on the Raiders’ offense, Cordova finished the job when it had the ball in the second half. The Lancers scored two touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters each.

On offense, Cordova produced huge numbers. In his first varsity football start running the offense, Lancer sophomore quarterback Xavier Johnson completed 16-of-24 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He had one touchdown each to wide receivers in Alvin Banks, who had 9 receptions for 131 yards in his debut as a sophomore. Following were senior Angel Garcia (2-28) and Calvin Augusta (2-54). The Lancers had 522 total yards; 263 in the air and 259 on the ground.

“We were running on all cylinders,” Nill said. “The offense that we run is extremely hard to defend. The only people that can hurt us when we’re on offense is us.”

The Lancers’ offense had two hiccups in the game, both in the first half on two fumbles. One of those miscues led to a Raiders’ touchdown.

But Cordova continued to move the ball at will in the second half. One of Lancers’ touchdowns in the first half was set up on a 67-yard punt return from sophomore Raymond Fite.

The Lancers moved the ball well on the ground behind McCullough, who finished with 13 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson was next in rushing with 8 carries for 40 yards and Njoku 4-31.

In the junior varsity contest, Cordova lost a tough one to Rio Americano by a 19-18 score.

Today, Friday, Cordova hits the road for its first road game of the season at Chavez of Stockton. The Titans lost their home opener to Gregori of Modesto, 55-14, also on Aug. 26th.

The Titans also like to run the spread offense, as does Cordova.

“They are going to pound the middle,” said Nill of the Titans’ offense. “They are a much improved team, passing, in a short game.”

Game time for the Cordova-Chavez contest is 7:15 p.m.