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Wheatland Sun

Lions lose to Durham in regular season finale

Nov 05, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Shaun Holkko, sports editor

Live Oak junior running back Eben Jones rushes into a wall of defenders during a 27-13 win at Biggs on August 27. The Lions lost 27-7 at Durham on Friday, November 4 in the regular season finale. Photo by Christopher Pedigo

Live Oak has lost 7 straight

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) – The Live Oak varsity football team lost to Durham on Friday night 27-7 in each team’s regular season finale.

The Lions (3-7) have now lost seven games in a row. Despite the skid, Live Oak still qualified for the 2022 Division III Northern Section CIF Football Playoffs. The No. 8 seed Lions will play at No. 1 seed Orland on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

On Friday night against Durham, Live Oak was led offensively by two running backs: Senior Raul Romero and junior Eben Jones. Romero racked up a team-high 152 rushing yards on 25 attempts, averaging over six yards a carry. Jones rushed 18 times for 78 yards.

Senior quarterback and captain Tony Herrera had a tough night under center, completing 1-of-5 pass attempts for four yards and three interceptions. The lone completion was caught by Jones. Herrera also had one lost fumble.

Defensively, senior outside linebacker Sammy Khan tallied a team-high six tackles with two of them for a loss of yards. Romero followed closely behind with five total, three of them being solo. Romero recorded the Lions’ only sack.

Junior cornerback Logan Holmen hauled in Live Oak’s lone interception. Junior Felipe Llereno recovered a Durham fumble and returned it 15 yards. Llereno scored the Lions only points on Friday night. Junior kicker Juan Acevedo nailed the extra point after Llereno’s touchdown.

Live Oak takes on Orland on Thursday night in the first round of the playoffs. The result of the game was unknown as of press time.