Battle of 33, Battle of Unbeaten WSL Leaders, Mendota vs. Firebaugh

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Mendota is coming off a close but well-earned comeback win at Homecoming over Cross-County rival Dos Palos 21-16 last Friday night, A scary moment came with around three minutes in the 1st half when Running back for Mendota Christian Muratalla was hit in the head after a rushing play, He was down for several minutes until he was helped up and was able to walk to the sidelines on his own power and was taken to the hospital after the game and was diagnosed with a concussion so, for now, his status is unknown for the Battle of 33 this Friday in Firebaugh. Dos Palos was leading at the half 10-0 and the 2nd half started with a bang for Mendota after Sophomore Jose Ochoa returned the ball to the Dos Palos 10 on the kickoff which lead to a quick touchdown for Mendota and the comeback rally began from there. Dos Palos had a chance with less than 2 minutes in the game but they fumbled the punt and Mendota recovered and went on to win the game. Mendota will travel to Firebaugh for their 16th meeting since 2004 in which Mendota leads the series 10-5 and looking for back-to-back wins to stay ahead in the WSL Standings. Mendota is 3-2 in Firebaugh with their last road win being in 2013 by the score of 43-12 and Firebaugh’s last home win against the Aztecs was in 2015 by the score of 14-7. Mendota faces off against rivals Firebaugh Friday the 13th for the Battle of 33 Plaque and Spirit Stick.

 

Firebaugh is coming off an easy win last week over in Tranquillity taking down the Tigers 56-3 and looking to use that momentum against their bitter rivals the Aztecs of Mendota. It will be the 16th meeting between these two storied programs as Mendota leads the series 3-2 with their last win in Firebaugh going back to 2013 when they defeated the Eagles 43-12 and Firebaugh will be looking for their first home win against Mendota since 2015 when they beat the Aztecs 14-7. Firebaugh carries some weapons on both sides of the ball with QB Jeshua Gutierrez, WR/DB Tylor Palmer, RB/QB Chris DeFrancesco, WR Nick Molina and RB/LB Hunter Hogue. So will all that firepower will it be enough to take down Mendota, reclaim the Battle of 33 Plaque, and stay atop the WSL? We will have to wait and see on Friday the 13th from Eagles Stadium. Mendota (Washington Redskins) vs. Firebaugh (Philadelphia Eagles).

Tranquillity is heading into a downward spiral after their latest loss last in their Home WSL Opener to Firebaugh 56-3, With the loss Tranquillity falls to (0-6) and are four losses from matching The 2014 Coalinga Horned Toads who also finished (0-10, 0-5 WSL) and it will also be their first (0-10) season in school history. Tranquillity will look to recover as they stay at home to host Avenal on Friday Night.

Avenal also got their rear-end beaten last week hosting Coalinga and losing 39-2, The Bucs will now turn their attention to the Tigers of Tranquillity on the road this Friday night looking to snap a losing streak of their own.

Coalinga seemed to have bounced back with their 39-2 WSL win against Avenal and sit atop the standings with Mendota & Firebaugh and will look to extend their streak on the road in Dos Palos as the Broncos celebrate Homecoming this week with capping it off with the game this Friday.

Dos Palos are in a rut after losing last week to Mendota 21-16 and having their losing streak extended to 5 games since winning their season opener against Sierra Pacific. Dos Palos will celebrate Homecoming against Coalinga this Friday looking to finally get on their high horse and ride into the sunset with a victory at Ike Franklin Field @ Bill Hume Stadium.

Current WSL Standings

T-1st. Firebaugh (4-2, 1-0 WSL), Mendota & Coalinga (3-3, 1-0 WSL)

T-3rd. Dos Palos & Avenal (1-5, 0-1 WSL)

6th. Tranquillity (0-6, 0-1 WSL)  

WSL Athletics Schedule Week 7 10/13

Firebaugh vs. Mendota (Battle of 33)

Dos Palos vs. Coalinga (Homecoming)

Tranquillity vs. Avenal

kevin romero

Twitter: @Kromero21 | Read all of his articles HERE.

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