With December coming to an end, let's take a look at the Vista Del Lago football program's 2019 season.

The Varsity squad finished with an overall record of 9-3, finishing 2nd in the Capital Athletic League. The team made it to the second round of the CIF Division 2 playoffs before losing to Manteca High School in a thrilling finish. The Eagles had over 2,000 yards rushing on the year, led by Ethan Menezes and Jaxson Hansen. Menezes led the Capital Athletic League in rushing yards and finished 3rd overall in total yards in the San Joaquin Section (all divisions). In total, the squad set a total of six school records this season. 

9 VDL athletes were selected for CAL All-League team. Alongside league MVP Ethan Menezes, offensive linemen Nathan Erlich (Senior) and Nathan Guess (Senior) were also named offensive All-League athletes. Zach Corbitt (Junior) was named All-League both offensively and defensively. Defensively, Noah Case (Junior), Jaxson Hansen (Senior), Brycen Santero (Junior), Erik Johnson (Junior), and Ryan Tung (Senior) were also named All-League. 

Both Aydan Edwards and Nik Goodwin had terrific season at quarterback. Edwards, we went down mid-season with a broken collarbone, set the VDL record for least interceptions in a single season (min. 100 attempts). Goodwin filled in, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

Ryan Tung led the Capital Athletic League in tackles, finishing with 107. 

Zach Corbitt and Erik Johnson led the team in reception yards, both tailing over 400 yards. 

The JV squad finished with a 7-3 record and the Freshman team finished with a record of 9-1. 

The VDL Freshman team won the Frosh Capital Athletic League title. 

Records Set:
Longest Touchdown Run - 80 Yards - Ethan Menezes
Single Season Least Interceptions - 0 INT - Aydan Edwards
Best Game: Rushing - 403 yards - vs Rio Americano
Best Game: Most Points- 84 points - vs Rio Americano 
Single Season Fumbles Recovered: 4 FR - Will Hull and Zach Corbitt
Single Season Solo Tackles - 73 tackles - Ryan Tung

The VDL Varsity squad is having a terrific season and entering their bye week 6-1, coming off a record setting night against Rio Americano (84-29). The team remains undefeated in the Capital Athletic League. 

Even with the loss of quarterback Ayden Edwards, who set the record for least interceptions thrown in a season (0 int, min 100 attempts), the Eagle offense has remained elusive. Running backs Ethan Menezes and Jaxson Hansen have led the Eagles rushing game. Menezes leads the league and and sits second in the San Joaquin Section in rushing yards (1,150). In their most recent match against Rio Americano, the powerful duo set a single-game team record of 403 total rushing yards. 

The Eagles have yet to throw an interception this season, and have distributed the ball to 10 different receivers. Zach Corbitt, Nathan Zan, Ryan Tung, Erik Johnson, and Carson King have led the receiving attack for the Eagles. Corbitt sits 5th in the Capital Athletic League for total yards receiving. 

Defensively, the Eagles have been led by Colin Homer and Ryan Tung, who have led the team in tackles. Homer sits 2nd in the Capital Athletic League in tackles. William Hull leads the team and league in total sacks (6). The Eagles have forced a total of 6 turnovers this season. 

The Eagles have locked themselves a playoff spot, and the next three games are pivotal in their fight for the Capital Athletic League championship. They face Christian Brothers High School on October 18th at Hughes Stadium - Sac City College. 

The VDL JV Team currently sits at 5-2 on the season. 

The VDL Freshman Team remains undefeated, and have locked-up the CAL Championship.

On September 26th, the VDL Freshman squad defeated Del Campo High School 31-6, locking in the CAL Freshman Championship. The Eagles move to 6-0 on the season, with only three games left in the season. 

The VDL Freshmen team has gone 25-1 in their last 26 games and look to keep up that hot-streak the remainder of the season. 

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Former VDL athletes began their collegiate seasons few weeks ago. Here are updates on their seasons: 

On-Roster Athletes
Dominick Norris - Class of 2018
The Sophomore at Pomona Pitzer College has recorded 17 carries in two games played, totaling 74 yards and averages 4.4 yards a carry. The former VDL athlete has also recorded 3 receptions for 44 yards. 

Grant Patterson - Class of 2019
The Freshman at American River College has thrown 11 completions in 14 attempts in 3 games played. The VDL class of 2019 athlete has thrown a total of 156 yards and two touchdowns. Patterson has also rushed 6 times for 8 yards.

Brendan Hall - Class of 2017
The single game and single season receiving touchdown record holder is in his first season at Cal Lutheran. The Sophomore has recorded 3 receptions for 14 yards in two games played.

Doug Drakeley - Class of 2010
The UC Davis defensive lineman, and VDL class of 2010, has recorded 4 tackles in 3 games played.

Andrew Cokley - Class of 2018
Cokley, the offensive lineman for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, is currently a backup tackle for the Mustangs.  

Vance Olives - Class of 2017
Olives is on-roster for Sierra College Football, listed as a wide receiver for the Wolverines. 

On Staff
Brent Shaffer - Class of 2017
The total record holder from Vista Del Lago works alongside staff at the University of Arizona Football. He works with quarterbacks during practice and helps manage equipment for games, events, and practices for athletes and staff.

Doug Drakeley, a member of the first graduating class at Vista Del Lago High school in 2010, will play for UC Davis this upcoming season on the defensive line.

​Drakeley's story is definitely unique. According to an article by the Daily Democrat in Davis, "(Drakeley) arrived at UCD from nearby Vista del Lago High School in 2010, then attended Folsom Lake College before serving five years as an airborne infantryman in the U.S. Army. Thanks to NCAA rules, military service does not count against a student-athlete’s eligibility “clock,” giving Drakeley one more year of college football.

In his varsity career. Drakeley recorded 98 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. As a Junior, he received All-League Honors in the Sierra Valley League and was named honorable mention his senior year. 

Grant Patterson, former QB for Vista Del Lago football, has decided to play football for American River College for the upcoming season.

Patterson, who originally committed to San Mateo Junior College, decided to change his decision and play for American River the upcoming season. Apart of the class of 2019, Patterson started both his Varsity seasons at Vista. In his senior season, Patterson threw for 2,549 yards, which ranked him 5th in the San Joaquin Section in total passing yards. In addition, Patterson threw for 27 touchdowns. He also was given All-League honors by the CAL in 2018.
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#Vista Made

Andrew Cokley, former offensive and defensive lineman for the Vista Del Lago Eagles, will be entering his Sophomore year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Cokley, class of 2018, redshirted his Freshman season at Cal Poly and will resume play this upcoming season. His most recent action was at the Cal Poly Football spring football game. Cokley is studying agriculture and environmental plant science and is looking to be a force in his upcoming seasons with the Mustangs. 

In his senior season at Vista, Cokley recorded 41 tackles, including 3 sacks. On offense, Cokley recorded 52 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack. Cokley was a three-year varsity player for the Eagles, recording 39 consecutive starts and over 3,000 snaps. 


High School Awards: 
2017 CAL All-League
2017 CAL Lineman of the Year
2017 CIF San-Joaquin All-Section
2017 CIF Sacramento All-Metro
2017 Sac Optimist All-Star Game

#VistaMade 

Former running back for Vista Del Lago High School Dominic Norris completed his freshman season at Pomona Pitzer College in Southern California this year. In his 1st season with the team, Norris rushed 58 times for a total of 362 yards while averaging an amazing 6.2 yards per carry.

His biggest game of the season came in week 7 on a win of Whittier College. Norris logged 2 touchdowns alongside 110 yards on just 8 carries, averaging 13.8 yards per carry.

While Norris was at Vista, he rushed for a career total 3,576 yards, including a record setting senior season when he rushed for 2,227 yards and 25 touchdowns. Norris averaged a 6.0 yards per carry in his varsity career. Norris was apart of the inaugural 2006 Jr. Pee Wee Team for the Jr. Eagles. He played for the Jr. Eagles program through 8th grade, joining the freshman football team the following year. Norris is a direct product from the Vista Del Lago Football Jr. and High School program.

Vista Del Lago Team Records:
Most Carries in a Single Season (347)
Total Rushing Yards in a Single Season (2,227 Yards)
Most Carries in a Single Game (44 vs Casa Roble)
Total Rushing Yards in a Single Game (303 Yards vs Ponderosa)

High School Awards:
2016-2017 CAL All-League
2017 CAL League MVP
2017 Sac-Bee 1st Team All-Metro
School Single Season Rushing Record (Yards)

#VistaMade