TEMECULA – The Great Oak Wolfpack roared back to life with a powerful 50-0 victory over the Corona Panthers on Thursday, marking their highest-scoring game of the season. This triumph at home was particularly sweet for the Wolfpack, who were shut out in their previous contest, but this time they left no room for doubt.
Under the bright lights, senior quarterback Reagan Ricken showcased precision and poise, completing five of six passes for 111 yards and tossing two touchdowns. His first scoring strike landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Tristan Pugal, who made an impressive catch that added primed the Wolfpack’s tally. The second was caught by junior Ryder Parks, further cementing Great Oak’s dominant performance.
But it was junior running back Ryder Smith who stole the offensive spotlight, charging through the Panthers’ defense for 58 yards and crossing the goal line three times. Smith’s versatility didn’t end there; he also contributed significantly on defense, recording a sack alongside teammates Connor Smith and Ryan Bitton, the latter of whom tallied two sacks in a commanding defensive effort.
The special teams play was no less thrilling, with junior Mikey Vasquez electrifying the crowd with two punt return touchdowns. The first came in the first quarter, a 50-yard dash down the field that set the tone for the game. His second, a 55-yard return in the fourth quarter, put the exclamation point on a dynamic performance.
Great Oak’s defense was relentless, stifling Corona’s attempts to gain any momentum. They forced two crucial fumbles, thanks to strategic plays from Kade Prosser and Dylan Keith, and Carson Wight anchored the defense with nine tackles, three of which resulted in losses for the Panthers.
This victory in the Big West Lower Division propelled Great Oak’s record to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in league play, offering a fresh start as they aim to climb the standings. In contrast, the loss was a setback for Corona, dropping them to an identical 2-4 overall record and are now 0-1 in league action.
Looking ahead, the Wolfpack are set to hit the road for a face-off against Murrieta Mesa on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the Panthers will return home to confront King on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m., eager to snap a five-game losing streak dating back to last season.
With this decisive win, Great Oak has sent a clear message that they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their league play.
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