Football: Wood will be a marked man against Oaks Christian

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Cierre Wood has faced his fair share of challenges in the past, no doubt about it. But the senior from Santa Clara could be in for his toughest test yet on Friday when the Saints face Oaks Christian, ranked No.7 by The Times, in a showdown between undefeated teams, with the winner moving a step closer to the Tri-Valley League title.

By most accounts, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound running back, bound for Notre Dame, is the nation’s top player at his position. And the distinction is worthy. Wood rushed for 2,612 yards and accounted for 36 touchdowns as a junior. With 1,526 yards and 24 touchdowns in eight games thus far, it’s safe to say he picked up right where he left off.

‘We’re up against the wall and Cierre is going to have a target on his back all game long,’’ Santa Clara coach Fran Fredette said. ‘But hey, if it wasn’t challenging, it wouldn’t be fun for him, or us. I know this much, if they give him some daylight, he’ll take off running. He could end up making things interesting.’’

Wood has been impressive this season, to be sure, perhaps more so than any other Southland back. He averaged 21 yards per carry against Channel Islands and 24 per touch against Kilpatrick. Duplicating the feat against the Lions won’t be easy though. In fact, it will be next to impossible.

Consider this: The Oaks Christian defense has given up 14 points in a game twice this season and held two other opponents to a touchdown or less. Wait, it gets better, or worse in Wood’s case. The Lions have registered three consecutive shutouts, four overall. Sounds like someone has a daunting task ahead of him, doesn’t it?

-- Sean Ceglinsky