How ’Dogs rode 132 yards of offense to win

“We started the game with great focus and intensity and that set the tone for the game,” Bulldogs head coach Tim Tulloch said.

The Bulldogs (2-0 Bay 6, 5-2 overall) scored on each of their first two possessions, both with short fields, en route to opening the game with 27 straight points. It wasn’t until the back half of the third quarter that Laney (1-1, 5-2) got on the scoreboard, by which time it was too late as the machine that is the CSM defense held the an Eagles team ranking sixth in the state in points scored to just two touchdowns.

“[Defensive coordinator Hansen Sekona] and our entire defensive staff did a tremendous job getting those guys ready to slow down a powerful offense,” Tulloch said.

The win catapults CSM into outright possession of first place just two games in to the Bay 6 Conference schedule. Laney and Chabot were the other two winners from opening week of conference play, but Chabot also faltered over the weekend with a 47-40 loss at Santa Rosa Saturday.

Laney’s defense has been as impressive as its offense this season, and ranks ahead of even CSM. The Bulldogs are currently ninth in the state in yards allowed on the season, with Laney ranking sixth.

But CSM produced quick stops on each of Laney’s first two possessions. A Laney three-and-out to open the game put the Bulldogs, following a punt, at the Eagles’ 33. Sophomore running back Cam Taylor then reeled off runs of 7, 17 and 2 yards before scoring on a 1-yard burst to put CSM up 7-0.

Laney’s next drive stalled at its own 15 when, on third-and-15, quarterback Jordon Brookshire looked upfield for receiver Jared Smart. But CSM sophomore cornerback Andre Neal was on the 1-on-1 matchup to force an incompletion.

“He was locked on Smart the whole game and he travelled with him wherever he went,” Tulloch said.

CSM took over after a punt at the Laney 37, and kicker Cesar Silva used his legs in an unconventional way on fourth-and-6 from the 22, producing a 7-yard run for a first down. Three plays later, Taylor scored his second TD of the game on a 1-yard run to up the lead to 14-0.

Then the Bulldogs followed with two explosive gainers — first by their defense and then by the kick return unit.

Laney’s best drive of the day started on the heals of a fumbled CSM punt return by Malik Putney at its own 23. The Eagles moved the ball to the 3, but running back John McDonald was stripped on the ensuing carry by Putney and sophomore Nathan Talakai, with freshman linebacker T.C. Lavulo scooping it up and sprinting 95 yards for a touchdown.

“It was great,” Tulloch said. “He ran as fast as I’ve seen him run. He knew what to do with it once he got it into his hands.”

Then kick returner Jalen Lampley opened the second half with a bang, returning the kickoff 98 yards for a score, staking CSM to a 27-0 lead.

“He had another gear on the kickoff return and he’s just becoming a weapon for us on the return game,” Tulloch said. “He’s electric on the return game and we just want to find ways to get the ball in his hands.”

CSM just leaned on Laney from there.

“It became important in the game,” Tulloch said. “We just wanted to bleed the clock and finish the game the right way.”

Laney scored on a 5-yard rush by Junior Diala with 6:13 in the third quarter. The Eagles defense then hit pay dirt on a 55-yard interception return by Nahshon Wright with three minutes to go in the quarter. Laney turned its final possession into a TD with 1:15 to play to close the scoring.

Taylor led CSM with 22 carries for 81 yards and two scores, returning to action after missing the Bay 6 opener the previous week against Santa Rosa.

“It was one of those games where we’re both good teams and you’re going to need all phases of your game to win those games,” Tulloch said. “That was a conference championship-type game.”