LOS BANOS -- Fourth-seeded Los Banos High's football season came to an abrupt halt Friday in a 34-24 loss to No. 5 Casa Roble.
Casa Roble's offense struck early and often, as expected, but LB had trouble finding the end zone, despite running back James Sams' 28 carries for 305 yards.
"People overlook our defense," CR coach Norman Ryan said. "And we're glad they overlook our defense."
Los Banos shot itself in the foot on a trio of key plays -- a dropped pass on a sure touchdown in the first quarter, an interception of a Chris Corpuz pass just before halftime, and a roughing-the-punter penalty after a crucial defensive stop in the third quarter.
"That was a killer," Los Banos coach Dennis Stubbs said. "We had momentum."
Casa Roble quarterback Mitch Samson completed 16 of 23 passes for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Dalton Rowe, while running back Kody Jones carried 22 times for 137 yards and another pair of scores.
"Looking at film, we knew they would spread the ball out. We needed to be assignment-sound," Los Banos senior Trent Taylor said. "The first half we came out flat, but in the second half we picked it up."
LB (10-2) didn't find the end zone until the second quarter when, down 21-0, Sams broke off a 68-yard touchdown run. Corpuz added a 30-yard pass to Daeton West in the third quarter, and Sams scored again on a 50-yarder late in the fourth.
"He is the best running back we've played, and that's the best offense we've played," Ryan said. "I'm not taking anything away from Folsom, but so far that's the best football player we have seen."
Casa Roble's win set up a showdown with top-seeded Oakdale next week, which is personal for a pair of CR players.
"Cameron Buel, David Karlin -- these seniors went to Oakdale last year. They did not want to end before going back," Ryan said. "I don't think we want to end there either, but we wanted a return trip to Oakdale."
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