YREKA – The Yreka Miners varsity football team picked up a much needed win on Friday, defeating the Corning Cardinals 27-7. The win snapped a three-game losing streak, and brings the Miners record to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in the Northern Athletic League.

Yreka was first on the board, when Manny Barragan scored from five yards out in the first quarter. Barragan also scored a 2-point conversion. A 3-yard run by Brandon Larreau and a 58-yard punt return by Barragan accounted for a pair of Miner TDs in the second quarter, with Barragan adding a PAT after his TD. Corning (3-5, 0-3) picked up seven points in the second quarter, making the halftime score 21-7.

Yreka tacked on another TD in the third quarter on a 24-yard run by Barragan. The PAT failed, leaving Yreka with a 27-7 lead, which was also the final score.

Yreka rushed for 233 yards in the game, with Barragan accounting for 156 yards on 16 carries. Joe Wilson rushed for 52 yards on six carries. Larreau completed one pass to Andrew Ward for 43 yards.

Yreka Coach Orlyn Culp called the win a “Great team effort,” and was pleased with the effort put forth by both the players and the coaching staff.

“Any time a team holds a Corning Wing-T offense to 7 points you did something right.  (The) kids played with fire and showed great effort,” said Culp “Great individual efforts by Joe Wilson on offense and defense, and David Bigelow on offense as an edge blocker.  Bigelow had several key blocks. Joe showed great effort running the ball and giving us a legitimate outside threat out of our two back set. Overall it was a great team win.The coaches had great schemes and the kids performed them well.”

Next up for the Miners is a visit to Anderson, which is also 1-2 in the NAL (3-5). Yreka is ranked sixth in NSCIF D-II playoff points. Anderson, with a higher Strength of Schedule score, is ranked fifth.