By Tom Price Jr.
The score was 9-0, but that is little indication of just how much the Exeter Monarchs dominated the Woodlake Tigers on Friday.
Woodlake's high powered running attack went the wrong direction most of the night, gaining -57 yards. A new school record for run defense by the Monarchs who held Memorial to -17 yards in 1977.
Defensive lineman Aaron Thomas tied a school record with five sacks, four of which came in the fourth quarter.
The team had ten sacks which broke the previous single game record which also came against Woodlake in 2000.
In the end Woodlake gained at total of 59 yards and turned the ball over three times.
"It was real nice, especially playing at Woodlake," Exeter coach Robert Dougherty said. "On offense we just did what it took to win."
Exeter gained 60 yards on 30 carries and quarterback Drew Branch completed 16-of34 passes for 185 yards.
Exeter got on the board first when Robert Barajas connected on a 26 yard field goal. They added another score on a quarterback sneak by Branch with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Monarchs would turn the game over to Thomas and the defense.
Thomas registered two sacks on Woodlake's last possesion of the fourth quarter, dropping Woodlake quarterback Manuel Reynoso for losses of six and four yards.
Facing a fourth-and-20 Reynoso threw wide of his receiver clincing the win for Exeter.
Exeter was the last Sequoia Division team left out of the playoffs at Saturday's selection meeting in Porterville.
