Dragons drop home game to Chico, 50-0

County league run begins Friday at Petaluma|

Facing a bigger, faster and stronger Chico Panthers team, the Sonoma Dragon varsity football team’s tough start to the 2015 season continued, as they were shut out by their visitors from Butte County, 50-0 on Friday night at Arnold Field.

The Division II Panthers (3-1) got out to a fast start and never looked back behind their star senior running back Cameron Alfaro, who tallied three touchdowns in the first quarter alone.

The biggest run in the quarter, however, came from Creed Smith, who avoided tackles and reversed field on an 85-yard touchdown to highlight a 30-point quarter for the Panthers.

Unfortunately, Sonoma’s offense could not get on track to keep up with the Panthers’ high-powered attack. Sonoma only reached the Chico side of the field twice in the first half, both times aided by Panthers penalties.

It was 37-0 at halftime, and by then the Panthers were well on their way to victory, and handing the Dragons their fourth straight loss to open the season.

Head coach Bob Midgely knew it would be a tough task playing a team that was among the best in California in their division, and praised his team for its effort during his postgame speech.

“That’s a Top 100 Division II team in California,” said Midgely. “I appreciate the heart and the effort you gave out there.”

Now the focus shifts to the Petaluma Trojans on Friday, when the Dragons will begin their Sonoma County League play on the road at Durst Field.

“We just have to get ready for Petaluma next week. We have to get better both individually and as a team,” said Midgely.

The Trojans have also struggled during the non-league part of their schedule, falling to Santa Rosa, 39-13 on Friday night to drop to 1-3. With both Sonoma and Petaluma being Division III schools, their upcoming game has added importance in determining each team’s position among the other teams in the SCL.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with the junior varsity game beginning at 5 p.m. Sonoma’s next home game will be on Friday, October 2, when the Dragons host defending champion Analy at Arnold Field.

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