Generals face Reedley in Valley semifinals after 56-7 win

The Shafter High Generals did not fall into the trap that so many teams fall into after having a week off when it comes to the playoffs. Head Coach Jerald Pierucci said that he was proud of the way his guys came out to take care of business on Friday night, dominating the eighth-seeded North High Stars, 56-7, setting up the Generals in a semifinal matchup with the fifth-seeded Immanuel Eagles of Reedley.

"Sometimes you worry about being a little rusty after a bye week in the playoffs," said Pierucci. It was especially important against a North High squad who had came into the game on a five-game winning streak and a ton of momentum.

But, the game was essentially over at halftime, with the Generals already leading 49-7.

Shafter had started out by taking the opening kickoff and methodically worked the ball down the field, led by quarterback Ezekiel Osborne and a slew of receivers, and Mariyon Sloan and Christopher Espinoza in the backfield.

The drive ended with Sloan scoring from 19 yards out, giving the Generals a 7-0 lead. On North's next possession, they were forced to punt by a hard-hitting Generals defense. JJ Vasquez blocked kick. scooping up the ball and taking it into the end zone, making it 14-0, still in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Generals scored another 35 points, aided by over 100 of Sloan's 186 yards rushing on the night, as well as the contribution of receiver Alex Reyna, who scored two touchdowns for the second week in a row, with a long touchdown of 76 yards that put the Generals up 42-7 just a few minutes before halftime.

With the Generals already leading by 35 points, Tremelle Spain gave the Generals the ball back again just before halftime with an outstanding interception. With just under a minute to go in the half, Shafter scored again with a touchdown courtesy of sophomore Adrian Garcia.

In the second half, the Generals played without Osborne and the majority of the first team in the game, giving plenty of playing time to rest the talented squad, including sophomores Athan Benitez and Noah Medrano. Benitez took over for Osborne at quarterback and Medrano showed a speed and toughness that the Generals will be enjoying for the near future. Only a sophomore, Medrano took the load of the rushing duties in the second half, gaining almost 100 yards even with a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Pierucci said that he was pleasantly surprised with the effort that his players put out on Friday night. "I challenged the guys, wanting them to come out and give it their all and not have a letdown or give North an opportunity to get in this game. They came out and did what they were supposed to do from the opening whistle."

The Generals will play on Friday night in the semifinal of the Central Section Division IV playoffs, at home against a tough Immanual squad. The kickoff is scheduled for 7p.m.