It is quickly becoming clear that Deer Valley's defense isn't just good - it's special.

The Wolverines (4-0, 1-0) rode that extraordinary defense to its fourth consecutive blowout victory, as they routed Antioch (3-1, 0-1) in their Bay Valley Athletic League opener on Friday night, 30-8 at Wolverine Stadium.

"Heck yeah, this is a special defense," said Deer Valley head coach Richard Woods after the win. "Our defense really brought its 'A' game tonight; we really rose to the occasion, came to play, and did a great job. We had 11 guys rallying to the ball. Our defensive coordinator, George Smylie, did a great job."

In its first three games of the 2006 season, the Wolverines varsity defense allowed a league-low 19 points, giving up no more than seven points in any one game. Antioch, on the other hand, came into Friday night's contest riding a three-game win streak and having tallied a league-high 127 points. The two opposing forces collided with spectacular results, with the impenetrable Deer Valley defense thoroughly derailing Antioch's steam-engine offense in this train-wreck of a game.

The Panthers managed just a single first down in the game's first half, as the Deer Valley defense sacked quarterback Joey Gonzales three times for a loss of 16 yards and held the Panthers to a paltry 18 yards of total offense.

The Wolverines took advantage of excellent starting field position to jump out to a 10-0 halftime lead, despite struggling to move the ball against the game Antioch defense.

Wolverines kicker Joe Gonzalez's 33-yard field goal put the team ahead 3-0 just over seven minutes into the first quarter in a game that had the It is quickly becoming clear that Deer Valley's defense isn't just good - it's special.

The Wolverines (4-0, 1-0) rode that extraordinary defense to its fourth consecutive blowout victory, as they routed Antioch (3-1, 0-1) in their Bay Valley Athletic League opener on Friday night, 30-8 at Wolverine Stadium.

"Heck yeah, this is a special defense," said Deer Valley head coach Richard Woods after the win. "Our defense really brought its 'A' game tonight; we really rose to the occasion, came to play, and did a great job. We had 11 guys rallying to the ball. Our defensive coordinator, George Smylie, did a great job."

In its first three games of the 2006 season, the Wolverines varsity defense allowed a league-low 19 points, giving up no more than seven points in any one game. Antioch, on the other hand, came into Friday night's contest riding a three-game win streak and having tallied a league-high 127 points. The two opposing forces collided with spectacular results, with the impenetrable Deer Valley defense thoroughly derailing Antioch's steam-engine offense in this train-wreck of a game.

The Panthers managed just a single first down in the game's first half, as the Deer Valley defense sacked quarterback Joey Gonzales three times for a loss of 16 yards and held the Panthers to a paltry 18 yards of total offense.

The Wolverines took advantage of excellent starting field position to jump out to a 10-0 halftime lead, despite struggling to move the ball against the game Antioch defense.

Wolverines kicker Joe Gonzalez's 33-yard field goal put the team ahead 3-0 just over seven minutes into the first quarter in a game that had the makings of a low-scoring affair.

Deer Valley extended the lead in the second quarter when quarterback Tanner Renshaw lasered a pass to Josh Allen for a 14-yard touchdown completion. Allen also claimed one of Deer Valley's three fumble recoveries on the game.

Renshaw, who completed three of his six passing attempts for 44 yards without an interception, provided an encore performance in the third quarter when he connected with wide receiver Josh Pica on a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Tailback Taiwan Jones, coming off back-to-back 100-plus yard rushing games, carried the ball 18 times for the Wolverines, gaining 76 yards. Although Jones was unable to treat the home fans to another of his jaw-dropping, highlight reel runs, he did find the end zone for the seventh time this season, scoring on an 18-yard run in the third quarter.

Jones' backfield mate James Alexander had an even more impressive outing for the Wolverines, rushing for 56 yards on just six carries, as well as intercepting a pair of passes on defense, including his sensational fourth-quarter pick of Gonzales, which he returned 35 yards for the game's final score with less than three minutes remaining to play.

The Deer Valley defense put Gonzales under constant pressure, sacking Antioch's star quarterback six times for a cumulative loss of 32 yards. Senior linebacker Cory McLaughlin and defensive lineman Telvis Jones each recorded a pair of sacks for the relentless Wolverines defense, which held Antioch to just 93 yards of total offense in the game and did not allow an offensive touchdown.

Antioch's lone score came in breathtaking fashion. Defensive lineman Nick Culcasi sacked Renshaw with 10:19 left to play, forcing a fumble which was scooped up by Richie Carter, who raced 75 yards down the right sideline for the touchdown.

Culcasi's sack was one of five for the Wolverines. Carter recorded one and a half sacks, and teammates Steven Doken, Billy Franks, Roman Williams each got into the sack act.

The Wolverines look to extend the season opening win streak to five when they play host to Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco (4-1) on Friday, October 6 at Wolverine Stadium.

Antioch heads into Oakley Friday determined to rebound against a tough Freedom (3-1, 0-1) team that also aims to bounce back from its first loss of the season, a 34-12 defeat at the hands of powerhouse De La Salle.

Both games are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m., with the JV squads playing in 5 p.m. matinees.