Sierra blows by West Hills for first win of 2019

It wasn't pretty, but Sierra College is in the win column after a Week 3 victory over visiting West Hills Coalinga College 69-32. Sierra coach Ben Noonan thinks there are lots of things to clean up before this team reaches its full potential. "The best thing about today is that we are in the win column," Noonan said. "Other than that, I thought we had a lot of missed tackles and lots of penalties. A win is a win, but today was sloppy." The win was emotional for all Sierra's football players, coaches and the community. They dedicated the victory to Chance Fields-Colbert, who died in July. "We think about him often," Noonan said of Fields-Colbert. "He's with us always. That first win is for him." The Wolverines didn't waste much time getting on the board. On the opening drive, Graylon Lindsey galloped 18 yards to the house. Lindsey also had touchdown runs of 37 and 73 yards and a touchdown reception of 33 yards. Overall, Lindsey had eight carries for 148 yards on the day. "Graylon took the bulk of the reps in practice this week because Christan (Simmons) was banged up," Noonan said. "He did phenomenal today. I'm really happy about how that young man played." Sierra quarterbacks Preston Eklund and QP Pilcher shared equal snaps. Eklund passed for 284 yards and touchdown throws of 6, 33, 30 and 63 yards. Pilcher passed for 130 yards and had a 20-yard touchdown strike in the fourth. Hayden Fay was the leading receiver for the Wolverines, catching four passes for 150 yards and a score. LJ Nelson, the second leading receiver, had a pair of receptions for 85 yards and a score. "(Preston) was dialed in today," Noonan said. "Today was his best game since he's been at Sierra." The offensive line of Estevan Abarca, Chad Bagwell, Chase Jones, Maafu Palavu and David Ruiz did a great job with protecting both quarterbacks. West Hills did not have a sack or pressure the whole game. "I don't have the money for that yet, because the bill would be a few hundred dollars for my offensive line because they eat a ton," Eklund said with a laugh on why he hasn't taken his line to dinner. "I do want to repay my line one day because I love them to death. Chad Bagwell and I go way back from our youth football days at Lincoln. I'll make it up to them one day hopefully." Sierra will travel to Diablo Valley next Saturday and will host Sacramento City on Oct. 5. The Wolverines beat Sac City 24-10 last December in the NorCal Grizzly Bowl.