Laney pounds Shasta in home finale for eighth victory

The Laney College football team defeated Shasta College 44-28 during its last home game of the season on Nov. 2 in Oakland.

The Eagles did not waste much time getting the offense going as Matt Dardenne found Charles Walker for a 65-yard touchdown pass on the game's first play.

The Knights, on their second possession, scored their only touchdown in the first three quarters on a 76-yard screen pass from Scott Armstead to Blake Aorrowsmith that tied the game 7-7.

Shasta found ways to move the ball against Laney's defense but would commit four turnovers, giving the Eagles great field position and chances to put Shasta away early.

Dardenne threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as Laney gained 374 yards of total offense in the first half, leaving the Knights stunned by a 37-7 halftime deficit.

The second half was a formality for the Eagles, who put in reserve players and ran the ball most of the time.

Reserve quarterback, Darrell Jones, led Laney to their final score in the third quarter with a seven-yard scamper pushing the lead to 44-7.

In the fourth quarter the Knights finally showed life behind Armstead. Shasta scored three touchdowns through the air, trimming the lead to 44-28 and forcing Laney's starters back on the field.

It was too little too late for the Knights, as Laney finally ran out the clock and held on to their eight win of the season.

Laney is just one win away from clinching the Mid-Empire Conference.

Notes---Eagles at least clinched a tie in the Mid-Empire Conference with win over Shasta...the Knight s gained 198 yards of total offense in the first half…they also scored the first touchdown against Laney in the first quarter this season...Troy Evans in his first game back from a leg injury returned an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown, but had it called back on a blocking penalty....Arrowsmith had seven receptions for 258 yards for Shasta. Three of those receptions resulted in touchdowns….He also kicked all the PATs for the Knights...Laney's Robert Lorenzi returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown.