The Yosemite Badgers (0-1) opened their 2012 football season last Friday at San Andreas (1-0) against Sac-Joaquin Section D-IV power Calaveras High, The Mariposa scrimmage the previous week showed a lot of Badger character while the game against the Calaveras Redskins showed how far YHS has to go as a team as they were defeated 54-20.

The Redskins dominated on the ground and the air amassing 540 yards on offense. The Redskins were led by running back Joey Elliott. Elliott had 164 yards rushing and scored two TD's. Redskin quarterback Zach Johnson was 5 of 7 for 120 yards and 2 TD's.

"This was a tough test as Calaveras is a great program," said Badger head coach Kent Lincoln. "I was proud to play them. Our kids had a great attitude and didn't quit, no matter what the score was. I liked how we fought. Our offense is getting better. We can throw, but are still learning the intricacies of the spread offense. We run pretty much the same offense as Fresno State. It will just take time to perfect what we are doing."

The Badgers started off strong on their opening drive. After a Timmy Jones 30-yard kickoff return the Badgers were at mid-field. On a third and 10, sophomore QB Joey Woolsey hit senior receive Dillon Moran on a well thrown 35-yard fade down the left side of the field. Woolsey hit Moran on the next play for the score. The PAT failed, but the Badgers had a 6-0 lead. It didn't last long.

The Badgers got their first dose of Elliott when he scored on a 45-yard run up the middle the first time he touched the ball. s.

Calaveras went to the air on their next possession. Johnson hit receiver Wyatt Durham on a 55-yard strike and just like that it was 14-6 Calaveras by the end of the first quarter. After Badger line backer Caleb Luther recovered a Redskin fumble early in the second quarter, Calaveras went on to score on every possession taking a 34-6 halftime lead. Later in the game Luther suffered a back injury and will be out for a couple weeks.

After a Calaveras TD to open the third quarter, Badger Jones had a nice kick-off return of 55-yards. Jones had some amazing moves and picked up some solid blocking. Overall, Jones had 120 yards in kick returns for the night.

After a pass interference call, Woolsey hit senior receiver Luke Blate for an 11-yard TD. Blate, who made some nifty moves to score, had six catches for 40-yards in his first varsity start at wide receiver.

Calaveras scored two more touchdowns and a running clock was instituted. Woolsey hooked up with Moran again on a 32-yard fade to end the game.

"I thought we had some positives from this game," Lincoln said. "We can throw the ball but we need to get better protection for our quarterback. That will happen and when it does, our offense will really open up. Our run defense struggled and although our guys fought hard, they got a little tired by the end of the game."

Lincoln praised play of nose tackle Chris Lopez.

"Chris played well despite being double teamed the whole night. He stayed low and kept his position. We are learning to play the 3-4," said Lincoln. "It is an adjustment, especially against a run-oriented offense like Calaveras."

Game stats

Woolsey had a strong opening night. The sophomore was 15 of 29 for 154 yards and threw 3 TDs with zero interceptions. Besides Blate's six catches, Moran had four for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

In the running game, Josiah Madison managed only 17 yards on five carries.

"We are still working on our run game," Lincoln said. "It is an area we have to improve on."

Yosemite's JV team lost 52-0.

Hanford West tonight

The Badgers will have to lick their wounds in a hurry. They travel tonight (Thursday) to play the Hanford West Huskies (1-1).They defeated Fresno High in their opener but lost to Mission Oak 54-14 last week.

"Hanford West runs the same scheme as we do on both offense and defense," said Lincoln. "They are definitely a pass-first offense. The team is well coached, (Justin Fowler) and pretty athletic," Lincoln said. "Both teams will air it out. It should be a fun game to watch."

Hanford West is a D-IV school that plays in the West Yosemite League. The Huskies are coming off a disappointing 3-7 season, going winless in league. This year should be different as Hanford West returns a number of starters on both offense and defense.

JV 5 p.m., Varsity 7 p.m.

Yosemite High School Athletic Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 6: Football at Hanford West - JV 5:30 p.m. - Varsity 7:30 p.m. - Volleyball at Immanuel - JV 5 p.m. - varsity 6 p.m. - Girls tennis vs McLane at Yosemite - 3:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, Sept. 7 & 8: Boys water polo (Fall Kick-Off Classic) - TBA - Girls water polo (Central Valley Showdown,TBA - California Girls Tennis Tournament at Yosemite, TBA.

Monday, Sept. 10: Girls golf at Lemoore Tournament, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 11: Volleyball at Mariposa - JV 5 p.m. - varsity 6 p.m. - Boys & girls water polo at Yosemite vs. Kingsburg - Girls JV 4 p.m. - Boys JV 4:45 p.m. - girls varsity 5:45 p.m.- boys varsity 6:45 p.m. - Girls tennis vs Chowchilla at Yosemite - 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12: Girls golf - NSL mini tournament at Brighton Crest, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13: Volleyball at Yosemite - JV 5 p.m. - Varsity 6 p.m.