YUBA CITY, CA (YSBC) – The Yuba City community flocked together as one on Friday, Sept. 19 as the Honkers claimed the 20th Annual Mayor's Cup trophy in a 33-14 victory over the River Valley Falcons.

Despite this being the 20th year of the series, Friday was the 19th game in the series as the 2022 game was forfeited by River Valley. 

The Honkers struck first on the scoreboard half way through the first quarter as junior quarterback Judah Allen found junior running back Hank Watson for a 20-yard pass and Yuba City quickly had a 7-0 lead.

Watson rushed the ball nine times for 112 yards and had two receptions in the win for 30 yards.

Yuba City senior wide receiver Logan Epperson (9) leads the Honkers' onto the field before the 20th Annual Mayor's Cup on Friday, Sept. 19. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Allen completed seven passes in the victory for 84 yards total and rushed for 11 yards. Honkers head coach Jonah Lessard told Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that he challenged Allen throughout the week to just have fun on the field.

"We have such a young group and that's what makes it fun because these guys have so much room to grow and Judah stepped up a lot tonight," Lessard said.

Allen was all smiles postgame as he received the game ball from the Yuba City staff. Allen said that it was a team effort and the Falcons gave them a tough fight.

Allen added that his offensive line was amazing once again as they have been for the entire year and he has all of the confidence when he hands the ball off to his backfield and is able to watch them gain a lot of yards.

On River Valley's second drive, they attempted to punt, but the Honkers blocked the kick and the Falcons retained possession of the ball. On the next play from scrimmage, River Valley fumbled the ball for the first of three turnovers in the game.

River Valley senior wide receiver Joshua Kellas (8) hauls in a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' 33-14 loss to Yuba City on Friday, Sept. 19. Photo by Steven Bryla

Yuba City had the ball deep in the Falcons territory and Honkers senior running back Ryan Corum punched in the first of four touchdowns in the victory that extended the Yuba City lead to 13 towards the end of the first quarter.

Corum led the game with 156 rushing yards off of 19 carries. Corum is one of the leaders of the Yuba City squad and expressed to YSBC that the Honkers wanted to let everyone know they are the top football team in Yuba City. 

Corum has been recognized as the "bruiser" of the team over the last couple of the seasons and he runs the ball hard as he had five rushes of 15 yards or more and needed multiple Falcons to bring him down every time he touched the ball.

River Valley got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter as senior quarterback Jayden Walker found the end zone one-yard out. Walker completed five passes for 61 yards in the air.

The Honkers responded and ended a 70-yard drive with Corum rushing the ball in from the one and had a 20-6 at the end of the half. 

The River Valley Falcons head onto the field prior to the 20th Annual Mayor's Cup on Friday, Sept. 19. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Falcons defense came up with a huge stop on the first possession of the second half as they forced Yuba City to turnover the ball on downs at midfield. It was a defensive quarter as there weren't any points scored in the third quarter.

Corum fumbled the ball near the Honkers 30-yard line with three minutes to go in the third and River Valley cashed in the mistake as Walker found senior wide receiver Joshua Kellas for an 11-yard scoring connection. 

Walker and Kellas connected again for the two-point conversion that trimmed the Honkers lead to 20-14 with nine and a half minutes to go in the game.

Yuba City took control of the game after that as they ran the ball straight into the Falcons as Corum scored his final two touchdowns of the game. 

River Valley head coach Mikey Badaluco said they had the opportunity in the fourth quarter, but turnovers got in the way of victory. 

He expressed that he told his team postgame that they are a young group and they competed great in the game and make their school proud. 

Badaluco told YSBC with this group being young as having multiple underclassmen playing significant roles on the varsity level, the future is bright. 

He added that his senior leadership this season has been great and senior running back Jesus Fernandez is one heck of a player.

Fernandez rushed the ball for 64 yards in the loss, but he ran it with a purpose every time he touched it. 

River Valley head coach Mikey Badaluco (right) and Yuba City head coach Jonah Lessard (left) shake hands after the 20th Annual Mayor's Cup as the Honkers' defeated the Falcons' 33-14 on Friday, Sept. 19. Photo by Steven Bryla

As another chapter in this rivalry takes a pause with the Honkers extending the streak to nine consecutive victories in played games of this series and an overall 17-2 record, Yuba City shifts their focus to Foothill Valley League play.

The FVL is a tough league that consists of Sacramento area juggernauts like Twelve Bridges (Lincoln), Placer and Roseville, who have surprised a lot of people with significant wins. 

Lessard told YSBC that he is ready to compete against great competition and looks forward to the rest of the season. 

The Honkers are scheduled to host Roseville on Friday, Sept. 26 with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

The Falcons will continue their independent schedule as they are scheduled to travel to Davis on Friday, Sept. 26 and play the Blue Devils at 7:15 p.m. 

Badaluco told YSBC that the goal is to continue progressing each week and building confidence within the program.

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