As good as advertised? No, better
All things considered, it worked.
The nonleague schedule paid dividends for Del Oro and coach Casey Taylor, who ramped up his early slate against every powerhouse program he could find. Cal has a bye today, but the Bears weren't willing to travel, and Al Davis wouldn't return calls to Taylor, who sought a Golden Eagles-Raiders rumble.
You get the point.
Taylor looked relieved - as did his team and the town of Loomis that crammed into the place Friday - after Del Oro posted a spirited and gutsy 27-22 victory over No. 3 Elk Grove. Thundering Herd players and coaches will forever be convinced that Zach Miller reached the end zone on that final, frantic effort to get in as time ran out, and for along, agonizing moment on the Del Oro sideline there was hesitation.
When no referee threw his arms up to signal touchdown, the Golden Eagles erupted.
"We needed this,'' Taylor said, adding later that the game was an "instant classic."
Of course, it gets easier from here. Sure, like going from the Swiss Alps to Mount Everest on a casual hiking tour. But the Golden Eagles are seasoned now, and dangerous as they head into top-ranked Granite Bay on Friday in a Sierra Foothill League opener.
"We totally believe in Coach T,'' Del Oro tailback Bryce Pratt said, with receiver Spencer Butterfield agreeing. "He knew exactly what he was doing with this schedule."
Pratt rushed for four touchdowns and Butterfield caught eight passes for 171 yards.
