WEEK NINE ROUNDUP: Pierce holds off Live Oak

Pierce High's red-zone defense, a strong ground game and a key interception helped the Bears top Live Oak 14-7 at home on Friday.

Andy Corona rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, while Joey Hernandez tacked on 75 more yards on the ground for Pierce.

Jesus Huerta picked off Live Oak quarterback Romario Acosta with 2 minutes remaining to seal the victory.

Acosta finished with 213 yards passing, while Tyler Raymond combined for 180 yards receiving and rushing and scored the Lions' only touchdown.

There were five total turnovers, including four fumble recoveries. Live Oak was penalized 13 times for 75 yards, compared to Pierce's two penalties for 10 yards.

With the loss, the Lions slipped to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the Sacramento Valley League. Pierce improves to 9-0 and 4-0.

Yuba City 55, Natomas 7

In Sacramento — The Honkers made quick work of the Nighthawks after taking a 42-0 lead at the half in Tri-County Conference play. The win clinched at least a share of the league title for the Honkers.

Taylor Elkins went 5-for-7 passing for 141 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for another. Omar Herrera caught a 71-yard touchdown pass and Louis Mowers hauled in another score from 36 yards out.

Alex Inskeep rushed for a 33-yard touchdown, while Angel Ziskind scored on a 1-yard plunge.

Jamie Smith returned an interception 35 yards for a score and Austin Thompson returned a punt and an interception for a touchdown for the Honkers (8-1, 4-0).

Dixon 49, Marysville 21

In Dixon — Francisco Garcia rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough against a tough Dixon team in Golden Empire League play.

Marysville (2-7, 1-3) went into the locker room down 14-7, but Dixon's ground game erupted in the second half.

"Our offensive line played great, and we did some good things, but we just couldn't stop them," Marysville coach Cullen Meyer said.

Marysville's Juan Briseno scored a rushing touchdown for a ground game that totaled more than 300 yards.

Sutter 46, Las Plumas 7

In Sutter — Nathan Ahlers exploded for 180 yards rushing, 72 yards receiving and four touchdowns to help lift Sutter past Las Plumas in Butte View League play.

Trent Little threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-14 passing for the Huskies which improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in league.

Austin Webster caught two touchdown passes, while Jared Miller busted out for a 80-yard touchdown run. All together, Sutter compiled 528 yards of offense.

The Sutter JV team beat Las Plumas 33-7.

Alex Lopez scored on runs of 65 and 8 yards, while Riley Vickner and Randy Post each scored from 1 yard out.

Ethan Rupert scored from 3 yards out and Patrick Bennett recovered a fumble for Sutter (9-0).

East Nicolaus 29, Esparto 7

In East Nicolaus — Zach Schuler threw for a pair of touchdowns and rushed for one more to help carry the Spartans over Esparto in Mid-Valley League play.

Schuler found Andrew Sills and Dylan Thornsberry from 11 yards out, while Jeffery Limary and Schuler each scored from 2 yards out on runs.

Jake McCollum also recorded a safety for the Spartans, who improved to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in league.

Maxwell 56, Biggs 24

In Maxwell — George Barajas scored four rushing touchdowns, Luis Rolon caught a touchdown and returned a fumble the distance for a score and the Panthers ran past Biggs in Mountain Valley League play.

Eddie Rangel scored on a 20-yard rush and Santiago Gonzalez also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown for Maxwell (6-3, 3-1).

Hamilton 56, Colusa 28

In Colusa — The RedHawks kept it close in the first half, only trailing the Braves 28-21, but couldn't muster much over the final 24 minutes as they dropped a Mid-Valley League contest.

Andrew Rodriguez accounted for three Colusa touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Cervantes.

Rodriguez also rushed for two scores. Conner Herrick added a 10-yard rushing score for the RedHawks (4-5, 2-2).

Mesa Verde 35, Lindhurst 15

In Olivehurst — Tim Endicott threw two touchdown passes in the GEL loss for the Blazers, who only suited up 17 players.

Lindhurst led 15-14 at halftime, but coach Jason Neiber said the lack of bodies caught up to his team over the final two quarters.

Creighton Wright had a 36-yard touchdown reception for the Blazers (1-8, 1-3) and Rico Rodriguez added a 60-yard TD catch.

The Blazers finish their season at home against Capital Christian next week.