No. 9 Football Outlasts No. 21 Sequoias in Season Opening Overtime Thriller

Visalia, Calif. - Sophomore running back Christian Vaughn powered in a 19-yard run to boost the No. 9 Butte football team to a 23-20 overtime victory over No. 21 Sequoias in the teams' season opener on Saturday afternoon.

On the day, Vaughn counted 18 carries for 79 yards, while sophomore quarterback Rieger Sayre tallied a pair of rushing touchdowns. In the air, Sayre went 19-for-34 for 187 yards with a long of 24. Sayre's top targets were sophomore tight end Landon Cooper, who had four receptions for 44 yards, and freshman running back Quintez Evans, who caught four passes for 41 yards.

Taking on punting duties this season, sophomore Gabe Estabrook counted five punts in the game, averaging 46.2 yards per punt with four landing in the 20. Freshman Danny Alvarez was perfect in his kicking duties with two extra points and a 21-yard field goal.

Sophomore defensive back Cameron Carr led the defense with eight tackles, six solo, while sophomore linebacker Aiden Sullivan earning five solo tackles, including two tackles for loss for 13 yards with a nine-yard sack late in the game. Sophomore defensive back Michael Bolds made his two solo tackles count, forcing a fumble and counting a 17-yard sack in one tackle. And freshman linebacker Malachi Calhoun earned his first career sack, good for 14 yards, in his two tackles in the game. 

Overall, Butte outrushed the Giants, 126 to 10, while also controlling the game on the clock with 52:33 worth of possession.

The Roadrunners (1-0) head back home to host No. 19 Diablo Valley on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. The Butte Athletics Scholar-Athletes from the Spring 2023 term will be honored at halftime.