RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After suffering their first loss of the season on the road the week prior, it turned out all the Cordova Lancers needed was a little "homecoming" to get back on track.

In what was the 61st annual Homecoming game at Cordova High School, the Lancers showed up and showed out in front of both current and former students alike, with several alumni in attendance for the festivities. Led by a suffocating defensive performance, Cordova returned to the win column with a 22-8 victory over Kennedy last Friday evening inside Lancer Stadium in what was once again the KCRA Channel Three "Game of The Week."

The Lancers (4-1 overall, 1-1 Metro League) held the Cougars (1-4 overall, 0-2 Metro League) scoreless in the first half, including forcing a turnover on downs on the first Kennedy possession, along with two additional three-and-outs. Lancers' sophomore tailback Zachary Mcintire provided the first points of the contest late in the first quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run despite receiving a big hit as he sprinted into the endzone. Sophomore quarterback Trey Wallace connected with his favorite target, senior wide receiver Donnavon Schiffner on a nine-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter to give the Lancers a double-digit lead going into halftime. 

Midway through the third quarter, Lancers' senior defensive end Armani Curtis and junior defensive tackle Julian Drahn would combine for a safety on Cougars' quarterback Ethan Barrera, adding to what was already an impressive defensive showing. Mcintire would score his second touchdown of the night from three yards out midway through the fourth quarter to widen the margin for Cordova. Kennedy junior tailback Xavier Williams-Adeyeye would later score on a two-yard run, but it would be too little, too late for the Cougars. 

Wallace had another strong showing for Cordova, going 16-of-26 passing for 208 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also added eight carries for 53 yards. Mcintire led the Lancers in rushing with 12 carries for 59 yards and his aforementioned two scores.

Defensively, six players recorded a sack for Cordova, including seniors Lavon Bunch, Schiffner, and Curtis, along with juniors Anthony Gomez and Drahn, respectively.

After the game, Cordova head coach JP Dolliver was asked about seeing his team get a big win following a difficult loss the week prior. 

"I think it's always important for the kids to understand that whether you win or lose, there's always another game," Dolliver said. "You can't get too high, can't be too low, can't be too emotional. You have to keep the passion, and that was our thing this week. Maintain the passion, but don't get too emotional to where you start losing focus."

The Lancers will look to maintain their focus on Friday, October 4 when they host visiting McClatchy, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. inside Lancer Stadium after press time.