SUTTER, CA (YSBC) - The Casa Roble Rams spooked out the statistics as they defeated the Sutter Union Huskies 22-9 on Friday, Oct. 31.

The matchup on Friday was highly anticipated by multiple outlets  as both teams squared off for the Golden Empire League title. On top of playing for a league title, the matchup between Sutter and Casa Roble would have huge playoff implications. 

The Huskies projected as the No. 1 overall seed by MaxPreps and the Rams were projected as the third overall seed.

Casa Roble won the toss and differed the ball until the second half and Sutter made them regret that decision on the opening drive of the game.

Casa Roble sophomore wide receiver Kymani Burkes (9) scores on a 68-yard touchdown pass during the Rams’ 22-9 win over Sutter on Oct. 31. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The Huskies capped off a 65-yard drive with junior running back Losi Asiata powering his way into the end zone from one-yard out and gave Sutter an early 6-0 lead.

Asiata led the game with 22 carries for 165 yards on the ground and a touchdown in the loss. 

The Huskies ferocious defense contained the Rams pass attack efficiently in the first quarter and Casa Roble senior quarterback Aiden Lopez connected with senior wide receiver Felix Rodriguez for a 7-yard touchdown pass and after a missed point-after attempt, the game was knotted up at six.

The Sutter offense showed it was capable of moving the ball downfield as they ran 30 plays in the first half and senior quarterback Braden Scritchfield completed four passes for 43 yards and ran the ball 13 times for 88 yards.

Scritchfield ended up with 107 rushing in the defeat. The Rams were driving down the field to close out the first half and face a fourth and goal on the Huskies 1, but committed a false start.

Sutter junior running back Losi Asiata rushes the ball on Oct. 31 in the Huskies' 22-9 loss against Casa Roble. Photo by Chris Pedigo

 

The yardage backup prompted a 22-yard field goal attempt Casa Roble senior kicker Raul Menera split it through the uprights for a 9-6 advantage.

Scritchfield drove the Sutter offense downfield and got within striking distance as Huskies junior Brody Romness attempted a 47-yard field goal right before the half.

The kick was unsuccessful and Sutter trailed 9-6 at the half.

The Sutter defense forced the Rams to turn the ball over on downs inside the Huskies 20-yard line. Sutter moved the ball down after some big runs by Asiata and great scrambles by Scritchfield.

Romness tied the game at nine just inside two minutes to go in the third quarter as he drilled a 26-yard field goal.

Sutter defensive lineman Troy Bowens (0) makes a tackle on Oct. 31 in the Huskies’ 22-9 defeat to Casa Roble. Photo by Steven Bryla

Casa Roble quickly took the lead back as Lopez launched a 68-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kymani Burkes with 30 seconds left in the third.

The Rams shifted the momentum of the game after that strike and the Sutter offense struggled to gain any traction on the field and Casa Roble extended the lead to 13 with four minutes to go in the game as senior running back Joseph Bettencourt scored from three-yards out.

The Rams sealed the game as Scritchfield tossed his second interception of the year to Casa Roble junior linebacker Ayden Ante before kneeling the game out in victory formation.

Huskies head coach Ryan Reynolds told his team postgame that their goals as a team are still in front of them. 

Sutter junior kicker Brody Romness (11) celebrates with head coach Ryan Reynolds after striking a 26-yard field goal to tie the game at nine in the third quarter of the Huskies' 22-9 defeat to Casa Roble. Photo by Steven Bryla

Reynolds expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that as much as he would have loved the victory, it could be a blessing in disguise.

Reynolds added that he expects to see the Rams to make the finals of the Division V bracket. He closed the postgame huddle and asked his team when they would rather taste defeat as in reference to Friday night or after the Section final.

There were multiple flags thrown in the game and some will presume that Casa Roble benefited heavily, but in the end, calls were made and penalties weren't factors on scoring plays.

The Huskies all agreed Friday night will benefit them moving forward as they get back to work on Monday for a bye week and will host Rosemont (Sacramento) in the first round of the SJS playoffs with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

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