Updated with coaches’ comments and D-stats, 8/31 5:00 pm

YREKA – The Yreka Miners varsity football team opened up the 2009 season with a comeback win over the Trinity Wolves, 21-18. Travis Fonseca’s 5-yard touchdown run, with 1:03 left to play, gave Yreka the win.

After a scoreless first quarter, Trinity capitalized on a misplayed punt that allowed them to start a dive on the Miner 1-yard-line. On the first play, Trinity’s Jacob Hymas found pay dirt and the Wolves added a 2-point conversion to lead 8-0 with 9: 24 left in the half.

The Miners answered in a matter of seconds, when Joe Wilson took the ensuing kickoff back 75 yards for a TD. With a 2-point conversion, the score was tied 8-8.

Yreka took the lead late in the second quarter on a 55 yard, seven play drive that ended with a 15-yard strike from Adam Kleier to Sarome Eng for a touchdown. With the PAT, the Miners led 15-8, going into the half.

Yreka thwarted a Trinity drive at the 1-yard-line about three minutes into the third quarter, and took over on downs. However, a bad snap from center resulted in a safety for Trinity, and narrowed the margin to 15-10.

Early in the fourth quarter Trinity finished off a 67-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run by QB Justin Jeangerard. The Wolves added the 2-point conversion to take the lead 18-15.

With time winding down in the game, Yreka took possession on the Trinity 48-yard-line. Ten plays later, Fonseca went the final five yards to put the Miners in the lead for good, 21-18. Yreka’s PAT went wide.

Trinity had a final possession, but went four-and-out.

It’s often said that “any win is a good win.” However, the Miner coaching staff sees plenty of room for improvement in the young Yreka squad.

“We need to continue to mature and develop an understanding of the base offense and defense.  Special Teams had a bright spot or two, but needs to continue to grow as well,” said Miner Head Coach Orlyn Culp.

Culp also found some bright spots on both a team and individual basis.

“Overall I believe our kids competed well.  When things didn’t go our way, they battled back and finished the game.  On several occasions, it looked like we might fold, but our kids dug a little deeper and kept playing.” said Culp.  “Joe Wilson and Cody Setzer played well. I was pleased with the play of center Mark Rogers…he’s getting better and better…he’s a hard worker and a great kid. Overall I thought the entire team played well for only having two players with varsity starting experience…time will help us improve as we mature and grow.”

Yreka Defensive Coordinator Dean Turner had a similar take on Friday night’s contest.

“We played just good enough to win. We lost Cody Setzer early and that hurt us. We lost focus on following our reads. But, all in all, gave up only one earned touchdown. On the other (TD) we gave them the ball at our 1-yard-line on a fumbled punt. For game-1, there was some good things to take away from it. We will learn from it and continue to improve,” said Turner.

Defensively, Oscar Villegas and Keegan Shipman led the Miners in tackles with six a piece. Joe Wilson, Albert Saunders, Jason Knapp and Dylan Weddle each had five tackles.

Yreka (1-0) will travel to Mt. Shasta (0-1) this Friday to take on the Bears. The Bears lost their opener to Modoc, 24-14.

Yreka’s junior varsity defeated Trinity’s JVs, 12-0.

Miners’ offensive stats will be posted when available.

Note: Mark McAllister, the voice of the Miners, from KSYC radio provided the information for this story.