On the war path

SACRAMENTO — It was one of those games where every single member of the Marysville High football team had something to be happy about on the ride home.

Running back Mike Barabin had 102 yards from scrimmage in the first half in addition to a perfect passer rating. The second-string defense only allowed 24 rushing yards in the second half. And Casey Clement, a 5-foot-6 senior generously listed at 130 pounds, was able to lower his shoulder, break tackles and scurry for a three-yard gain.

These were just some of the story lines that transpired during a 39-0 trouncing of Encina on Saturday at Abbot Field on the El Camino High campus. A game which the Indians controlled from the onset with a slew of impeccable offensive possessions and a stingy defense that kept the Bulldogs from doing much of anything offensively.

Not a bad way to rebound from last week's 28-21 loss to San Juan. With the win, the Indians improved to 2-1 in Golden Empire League play and 4-2 overall.

"It's really good," Marysville coach Cullen Meyer said. "We were focused after that loss."

The Indians' sharpness on the field was demonstrated early as James Chandless was able to break free on a 10-yard touchdown run with 4:29 to play in the first quarter to start what would be a first-half score-fest for the Indians. He found the end zone again minutes later on a 24-yard run to finish with 67 yards on the day.

Mixed with the skills of Barabin, the duo was able to provide a steady compliment to the Indians' quarterback Chant DeForest, who, despite completing just 3 of his 10 attempts, was able to find the end zone twice. The junior signal caller connected on a 32-yard strike to Jordan Lanier and followed it up with a 40-yard beauty to Matt Horsfall.

"It's easy, they open it up for me and I open it up for them," DeForest said of his backfield.

Add in a 48-yard punt return for a score by Brian Stifle and Barabin's halfback pass that went for a 36-yard touchdown to Jeremy Bird and Marysville was able to cap off a half where it scored all 39 of its points. It allowed Meyer to play everyone on his roster and sit his starters for the second half.

"We have really intense practices," Meyer said. "It's nice to reward them with some playing time."

Boosting morale of the opposition has become somewhat commonplace for the Bulldogs (2-4, 0-2), who finished with minus 28 yards rushing in the first half. The last two seasons the team has gone winless and prior to the Indians' running roughshod the Bulldogs had been outscored 128-6 in their previous two games.

But don't tell that to people like Clement, who was treated like a hero in the Indians' locker room as he admitted he was 120 pounds — instead of his listed 130 — while smiling from ear-to-ear.

"It was sweet getting in at halfback; it was a big thing for me," he said as teammates congratulated him. "As soon as I got that first hit I got excited."

Contact sports reporter Ryan Klocke at 743-0512 or rklocke@appeal-democrat.com.