Hard Opener For Natomas Nighthawks, New Head Coach

QUARTERBACK WARMS UP

BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

LINCOLN, Calif. – Not much went the way new Natomas head football coach Jeff Remington planned Friday night.

Before kickoff Remington was hopeful.

“I look forward to our team to play smart, turnover free football,” Remington said.

Sadly, that was not the case as Lincoln High School scored early, and often, en route to a 48-7 victory to spoil the being of a new tenure for the Nighthawks.

The weather was windy and unseasonably chilly in Lincoln, as was the start to the season for Natomas.

Led by a strong running attack by senior running backs James Hubbard and Jordan Tayeh, Lincoln scored four rushing touchdown before halftime.

It was a rough evening for junior quarterback Daniel Guitterrez, who threw two first half interceptions, including one just before halftime by Stephen Lewis, who returned it for a touchdown, making it 42-0 at intermission. Guitterrez was also continually pressured by the Zebras defensive line.

The Nighthawks did get a ball to bounce their way twice in the first half. The first on a punt from the Zebras 32-yard line that landed inside the 10 that was muffed and recovered by the Nighthawks. 

But Natomas was unable to capitalize on the only red zone possession of the night.

And just before halftime, senior defensive back Abe Rolle recovered a fumble inside the 10, which prevented another Lincoln score with only 13 seconds left in the first half.

The second half did not get much easier for Natomas. Mercy rule allowed the clock to run for the entire second half.

Guttierrez completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver D’Angelo Fields for the lone score for the Nighthawks with 2:30 left in the game.

Not the easiest pill to swallow for the new coaching staff and young team for Natomas.

The Nighthawks will host Dixon next Friday night for the home opener on Sept. 7.