Prep football: Chowchilla routs Fremont

CHOWCHILLA -- For years Chowchilla's vaunted Double Wing offense has been a scene stealer.

The precision and efficiency with which John Henson's offense has broken down countless opponents has often overshadowed the school's core philosophy.

Henson has built has program with a smash-mouth, defensive-first mindset.

Friday evening's season opener against visiting Fremont was a reminder to everyone.

Chowchilla forced five fumbles, recorded three sacks and got a 24-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Devin Gaines in a dominant 45-6 thrashing of Fremont.

"A lot of people forget that Chowchilla's program was built on defense," Henson said. "What we did tonight is what we've been trying to get back to for a number of years -- a hard-nosed, aggressive defense, where guys are flying to the ball."

Henson's boys got after it from the opening whistle.

The Chowchilla offense fumbled away a promising opening drive, but got picked up by its defense on Fremont's first play from scrimmage.

Omar Carcamo recovered a botched snap at the Fremont 3 and Chad Neal punched in the first of his two touchdown runs on the very next play.

The Chowchilla defense was just getting started.

Gaines doubled the score 55 seconds later when he picked up a Fremont fumble and carried it 24 yards for the score.

"We knew we were good, but I think we did even better than we were expecting," said defensive end Cristian Alcaraz, who finished with a game-high three sacks. "It feels great, like all the work we've put in is paying off."

Things didn't get any easier for Fremont.

Unable to muster much offensively, even when it did hold onto the ball, the Oakland school's defense constantly had its back against the wall.

A pair of long punt returns gave Chowchilla two first-and-goal situations in the second quarter.

They cashed them in with TD runs from Brandon Beaton and Devaughn Gaines to make it 30-0 at the half.

Fremont was held to just 60 yards on 21 plays.

Chowchilla's only defensive blemish came on the first play of the second half, when Bishope Apodaca hit Jordan Sanford with a 77-yard halfback TD pass.

After getting chewed out by Henson at intermission, the Chowchilla offense finally found its stride, putting the game away with third-quarter TD runs by Beaton and Neal.

"We thought it was going to be a much closer game," said Neal, who rushed for a game-high 85 yards. "We can't get a big heads, but it shows that we came ready to play."

Nonconference

At Chowchilla

Fremont 0 0 6 0 -- 6

Chowchilla 16 14 15 0 -- 45

First Quarter

C -- Chad Neal 3 run (Brandon Beaton run)

C -- Devin Gaines 24 fumble return (Beaton run)

Second Quarter

C -- Beaton 2 run (Run failed)

C -- Devaughn Gaines 5 run (Neal run)

Third Quarter

F -- Jordan Sanford 77 pass from Bishope Apodaca (Kick failed)

C -- Neal 2 run (Devin Gaines run)

C -- Beaton 30 run (Neal kick)

Records: Fremont 0-1; Chowchilla 1-0.

JV -- Chowchilla won 46-12.