There are two execution factors working in tandem when a running back amasses huge yardage on the ground. Blockers are making and maintaining their blocks, and the back runs with authority and confidence.

That was the magic formula in Mariposa’s crushing homecoming victory over Waterford’s Wildcats last Friday night in the Gold Bowl.

Senior running back Cody Christopher packed the pigskin just 15 times for 295 yards (19.66 yards per carry) and added an 85-yard opening kick-off return to lead the Grizzlies to a 56-18 Southern Athletic League victory. The win moved Mariposa to 2-1 in the SAL and kept its playoff hopes alive.

“He really did it,” said head coach Bob Kelly of Christopher’s effort. “When he runs as hard as he can, he’s as good as any back in the league.”

Christopher wasn’t the only back gaining yardage in chunks. The Kinalele brothers added 123 yards of their own. Brandon carried 4 times for 60 yards, and Justin rushed 8 times for 63 yards. All totaled, Mariposa gained 490 yards on the ground.

GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER MARIPOSA’S TOMMY STICKLES (NO. 42) RETURNS ONE OF THREE INTERCEPTIONS HE GRABBED DURING LAST FRIDAY NIGHT’S ROUT OF WATERFORD, 56-18. “We’ve got a good core of linemen that are getting better every week,” Kelly said. “Garrett (Simpson), Cody (Peterson) and Bruce (Contreras), along with others, really blocked well.”

Waterford kicked off deep to open the contest. Christopher didn’t field the ball cleanly, and it hit the turf, but that ultimately worked in his favor. While he was collecting the ball, Mariposa blockers were cutting a swath through the oncoming Wildcats, and by the time he had a full head of steam he raced 85-yards untouched to paydirt. A.J. Hall’s PAT kick was wide but just 14 seconds into the clash, Mariposa led, 6-0.

Grizzly safety Tommy Stickles set up Mariposa next scoring drive with his first of three interceptions at the host’s 28-yard line.

Mariposa ground out yardage, and a facemask penalty on Waterford gave the Grizzlies a first-and-goal at the Wildcat 5-yard stripe. Junior quarterback Jarrett Leonard was sacked for a 1-yard loss before

Christopher bounced over left tackle for his second touchdown. The strapping senior went untouched into the end zone for the 2-point PAT and with 6:36 left in the first period it was 14-0, Mariposa.

Without the ability to move the ball on the ground, Waterford shifted to a no-huddle passing attack, and did score on a 25-yard strike early in the second quarter. The PAT kick wasn’t on target, but the margin was closed to 14-6 with 10:27 left in the half.

Christopher would score Mariposa’s next four consecutive touchdowns, three in the second quarter.

After Waterford was offsides on its kick-off, Mariposa took control at its own 46-yard line. One play later, Christopher slashed over the right tackle and broke into daylight from 50 yards out. Hall’s PAT kick connected and less than one minute after the Wildcats had lit up the scoreboard, Mariposa scored again and led 21-6.

It was a defensive whirlwind that set up Mariposa’s next score. Waterford couldn’t move the ball after the ensuing kick-off and punted from its own 27-yard line. Peterson and Brandon Kinalele broke through the line. Peterson blocked the punt to give Mariposa the ball on the Wildcat 16.

On first down, Leonard and Hall crashed into each other in the backfield, and the ball popped out. Waterford recovered at its own 18-yard line. Two plays later, Mariposa senior linebacker James Reichhold snatched a Wildcat aerial out of the air and returned it to the Waterford 20. A pair of 10-yard plunges by Christopher and a Hall PAT made it 28-6 with 6:48 left in the second quarter.

The Grizzlies would add another score before the half ended. On second down from their own 30-yard stripe, Christopher burst through the right side again and didn’t stop until he covered 70 yards for his fifth touchdown. Hall booted the PAT, and Mariposa held a 35-6 bulge at the half after Stickles grabbed another interception at the Grizzly 9- yard line to thwart

Mariposa added three more scores in the third quarter against a woeful Waterford defense. Christopher ripped off another huge run for 85-yards. Justin Kinalele scored from 22 yards out, and Brandon Kinalele found paydirt on a 25-yard scamper.

The team that had been reduced to “wild kittens” would score a pair of meaningless touchdowns to round out the third stanza against a host of Mariposa substitutes.

“We found a void in their defense and exploited it,” Kelly said of the rushing onslaught. “The line play was great offensively, and our defense played hard, but not well. We’re still improving, but the fact that we are is important.”

Christopher’s numbers are possibly new school records (295 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns). Officials were checking records at press time to make that determination

Mariposa will travel to Denair on Friday evening for what amounts to the battle for second place in the SAL and a guaranteed playoff berth,

Both teams enter the battle with 2-1 league records. The winner will have an inside edge for the upcoming playoffs. The varsity contest will kick-off at 7:30 p.m.