GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Hawks continued their stranglehold on the Dairy Bowl last Friday night, defeating the crosstown rival Galt Warriors 54-16 to claim their 15th consecutive victory in the storied rivalry.

The undefeated Hawks (10-0) secured the league championship and now head into the playoffs riding high, while the Warriors walked off the field with their heads held high despite the lopsided score.

For Galt, the game represented significant progress. After being shut out in previous meetings, the Warriors finally found the end zone multiple times against their rivals.

“I feel like switching to more of a passing scheme really worked for us,” Galt junior quarterback Robert Rubio said. “Our O-line did a great job tonight. They really stepped up.”

 

Rubio completed 13 of 25 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and one interception, good for a 67.6 quarterback rating. He also led the Warriors’ rushing attack with 42 yards on eight carries and punched in a one-yard touchdown run, finishing with 195 total yards.

The Warriors managed just 49 rushing yards as a team on 14 carries. Arthur Cordova was the second-leading receiver with two catches for 51 yards, while senior wide receiver Anthony Harrison hauled in five passes for 59 yards and an 11-yard touchdown. Anthony Trejo added three receptions for nine yards.

Kicker Rafeal Bertho connected on both PAT attempts and added a 36-yard field goal, accounting for five of Galt’s 16 points.

Liberty Ranch, meanwhile, showcased a balanced offensive attack that proved unstoppable. Junior quarterback Ryan Ogas orchestrated the Hawks’ aerial assault, completing eight of 11 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns –  a sparkling 154.4 quarterback rating – while adding a rushing score. He finished with 221 total yards.

 

On the ground, running back Joe Lara rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while also catching three passes for 42 yards for 153 total yards. Andrew Quinn added two rushing touchdowns and 48 yards on five carries, while James Rangel contributed 67 yards and a score on just five carries.

“This game is the battle for Galt,” Lara said. “It’s divided into two sides, and it really shows which side’s more determined. I think we showed we’re the more determined team. I have all love and respect for the guys on the other side, but at the end of the day, it’s business.”

The Hawks racked up 339 rushing yards and controlled both lines of scrimmage. Wyatt Corriea hauled in two receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown, while Gabe Onuegbu caught a 17-yard touchdown pass.

Defensively, Galt’s Devin Williams recorded seven tackles, one assist and one sack for six yards, while Carlo Sterni also had seven solo tackles and one assist. Nick Pena and Taylor White contributed four tackles each.

 

For Liberty Ranch, Andrew Quinn led the defense with two solo tackles, five assists and two tackles for loss. Eston Tucker added three solo tackles, four assists, one sack and one TFL, while Brandon Gershanoff recorded three solo tackles, three assists and one TFL. The Hawks’ defense recorded two sacks for three yards lost and 13 pass breakups.

Jayden Sedlacek led the offensive line with nine pancake blocks as Liberty Ranch accumulated 25 pancake blocks as a team.

For Galt lineman Parker Millard, who played nose guard and right guard while also contributing on kick returns, the loss couldn’t diminish his pride in his teammates’ effort.

“No one gave up. We played as a team. Everyone worked together; everyone fought,” Millard said. “We may not have won, but I think in our minds, and a lot of our minds, most of us did win. I’m proud of that.”

 

Rubio, looking ahead to his senior season, identified key areas for improvement.

“Hitting the weight room a lot and working more on chemistry,” he said. “This year we just jumped in. We had to learn a new playbook with new coaches every year. Hopefully our coaches can stay next year.”

Despite the dominant performance, Liberty Ranch coaches acknowledged the win wasn’t pretty, calling it a “sloppy” victory.

When the final whistle blew, the crosstown rivalry gave way to mutual respect. Players from both sides embraced at midfield, hugging and visiting as the Dairy Bowl trophy remained at Liberty Ranch once again.

The Hawks now turn their attention to the playoffs as they seek to extend their perfect season, while the Warriors head into the offseason with renewed confidence and a foundation to build upon.