South Fork Football Dominates Laytonville 50-20

Monday, 28 August 2017, 10:18 am Sports Writer 2 comments

Ryder Pfau was South Fork’s offensive standout last friday night in Laytonville [Photo by Janice Coffelt]

The smiling faces of the South Fork High football players last Friday night in Laytonville were a bright reflection of the team’s first win since October of 2015. Beating Laytonville 50-20 to open the 2017 season, the Cubs’ fiery offense and speedy special teams dominated the home side to score 6 touchdowns and defensive pressure led to a 7th TD and a safety.

Senior Ryder Pfau had three touchdowns in the game, two on pass receptions and one on a kick-off return. He led all other Cubs with 155 total yards gained. Senior running back Scott Coffelt rushed for two TDs and senior Gabe Malley added another.

The defense set the tone early, causing Laytonville to punt after 3 downs on its first possession. Junior Cody Wyatt ran the punt return deep into Warrior territory to set up the first South Fork touchdown and establish a lead the Cubs never lost. Wyatt got another TD after recovering a fumble forced by senior lineman Aaron Etherton in the Laytonville endzone.

In the 8-man format, sometimes there are only three players in the offensive line, as seen here, when four receivers are used. [Photo by Janice Coffelt]

Making the decision to switch to the 8-man format is looking like a better and better move by 14-year coach Andy Olsen, whose roster has more players than it has for several years, and whose concentration of speed and talent in the senior class is a custom fit for the smaller 80X40 yard field.

“It’s an up-tempo game,” said Olsen, “and if you can get the ball to a guy in space, one or two missed tackles can turn into a big play.”

Because of the big lead held throughout the contest, Olsen was able to play all of his bench, and credits freshmen John Gamble and Sean Hassall-Hass with standout performances.

The Cubs will travel next to Branson, a private school in Marin County, this coming Friday for its second non-league game (Laytonville is in the same league as South Fork, but Friday’s game was not part of the league schedule.) Branson has only had a football program for two seasons, and started out in the 8-man format. “They are 13-1 over the past two years, and they will have some talented athletes,” said Olsen. Branson has not played yet this season.