Yuba City senior running back Cody Haase (12) breaks through a tackle attempt by Roseville on Oct. 9 in the Honkers’ victory. Photo by Steven Bryla

ROSEVILLE, CA (YSBC) - The Yuba City Honkers football team opened Foothill Valley League play with a significant 35-7 win over the Roseville Tigers on Oct. 9.

Records can be easily overlooked as Roseville came into the match up with a 2-3 record as they lost their last three over upper division competition.

Yuba City had a solid opening drive to start the game as it ended with senior Judah Allen tossing an interception on a 50/50 ball in the end zone that was picked off by Tigers junior cornerback Ben Jordan.

The Honkers forced Roseville to turn the ball over on downs on their opening drive.

Yuba City senior running back Cody Haase (12) gets to the outside during the Honkers’ win over Roseville on Oct. 9. Photo by Steven Bryla

Yuba City gave the Tigers great field position on the ensuing drive as they attempted a punt, but after trying to catch the low snap, it was determined they kneeled in an attempt to catch the ball and Roseville had the ball at the Honkers’ 18-yard line.

The Tigers scored their lone touchdown on a one-yard touchdown rush by senior running back Jude Navarro.

After that Roseville touchdown, Yuba City dominated on both sides of the ball and owned the remainder of the game.

Yuba City was without Hank Watson Jr. against the Tigers and that just meant more carries for Honkers senior running back Cody Haase.

Yuba City senior wide receiver Dante Lepe (7) runs after a catch on Oct. 9 in the Honkers’ victory at Roseville. Photo by Steven Bryla

Haase has been lighting up the stat sheet whether he’s on offense or defense and his magic boosted Yuba City’s confidence to win.

Haase rushed for 205 yards off 22 carries and found the end zone three times on the ground, including a 97-yard touchdown late in the fourth up the gut.

Allen completed nine passes for 160 yards in the air and found senior wide receiver Dante Lepe for a six-yard touchdown pass in the second and threw a long strike to the front-right pylon to junior wide receiver Kyler Banez for a 38-yard touchdown.

Lepe led the receiving department with four catches for 61 yards.

Yuba City junior linebacker Ean Barraza (24) returns a blocked field goal down field on Oct. 9 in the Honkers’ win over Roseville. Photo by Steven Bryla

For weeks, Honkers head coach Jonah Lessard has praised the special teams as a big advantage against their opponents and it proved to be the case yet again.

As the Tigers lined up for a 35-yard field goal with just under eight minutes left in the first half, Yuba City blocked the kick and junior linebacker Ean Barraza caught the ball and ran it upfield to give the Honkers great field position that eventually led to the Lepe touchdown.

Barraza and Haase expressed to YSBC that they have all the faith and trust in one another and that has been a huge momentum boost of the success they have shared as a team.

Lessard expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that special teams isn’t just a practice item, but they invest time into it.

Yuba City junior linebacker Devaan Khagura (9) makes a tackle during the Honkers’ victory at Roseville on Oct. 9. Photo by Steven Bryla

The linebacking core of Yuba City swallowed up the Tigers on offense as senior Zeke Medienta led the way with 24 tackles and junior linebacker Devaan Khagura had 17 in the win.

The Honkers have a bye week this week before they hit Placer county on Oct. 23 and take on Placer.

Lessard told YSBC that they are going to rest their bodies, but still get a ton of work in as they will be prepared to take on the Hilmen.

He added that the bye week can go how they take it but it is a good time to get focused on their next matchup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Yuba City head coach Jonah Lessard hands out offensive and defensive game balls after the Honkers’ 35-7 win at Roseville on Oct. 9. Photo by Steven Bryla