Sierra stomps Sacramento City for first win

The Sierra College Wolverines picked up their first win of the season Saturday, beating Sacramento City College 23-13 under the lights of Buzz Ostrom Stadium. The Panthers entered the game ranked No. 20 in the 3C2A football polls and were unbeaten. The Wolverines took the lead early in the second quarter and never relinquished it, as Josh Hamilton broke through for a 63-yard touchdown dash to put Sierra up 7-0. Sierra continued to pour it on in the second, scoring on a four-yard touchdown run by Jayr Ramirez and a 21-yard field goal to take a 16-0 lead into the half. Sacramento City scored early in the third quarter, capping a nine-play, 73-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jesiah Machado to Jaiden Coutee. The Wolverines punched back early in the fourth when Maddox Varella connected with Dontae Robinson for his fourth touchdown of the season. The Panthers punched in one more score, but any chance at a comeback had been vanquished as Sierra hung on for the victory. Varella completed 22 of 36 passes for a game-high 186 yards and one touchdown. Develle Barksdale completed a pass for Sierra as well for 32 yards. Hamilton led Sierra in rushing with 97 yards on eight attempts, while Ramirez added 55 yards on 14 attempts. Defensively, the Wolverines were led by their duo of Rocklin pass rushers in Koen Bell and Tom Sackinsky, who combined for 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Emanuel Ajayi had a team-high seven tackles along with Bell. Josh Maxwell and Kaden Huppin had six tackles. The win propels Sierra (1-2) back into the 3C2A rankings at No. 25. Sierra plays at 6 p,m. Saturday at No. 17 Foothill (2-0) for its fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent.