The ball was turned over so many times and went back and forth between the Vallejo and St. Mary's high school football teams so much on Friday, you might have thought the mascot for each squad was a metronome.

However, it was Vallejo that was in tune for the majority of the night as the Redhawks were delighted by the sound of seven forced turnovers on the way to a 28-8 home Homecoming win at Corbus Field.

The win puts Vallejo's record at 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division heading into a bye week.

Despite six forced turnovers in the first half alone, Vallejo committed two as well and only led 14-8 heading into the locker room. The Redhawks figured out how to hold on to the ball in the second half and added two more touchdowns without allowing a point in the second-half domination.

"Defensively we got a little more aggressive and were able to get to the ball," Vallejo head coach Mike Wilson III said. "I was impressed with our secondary and our linebackers. They were really flowing to the ball. Plus we were getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback."

Vallejo forced a turnover right away on St. Mary's first possession, as Janias Lewis had a interception and took the ball in the red zone. Vallejo went four and out, however, and failed to capitalize.

In fact, it was St. Mary's which scored first, as Paul Wilson hauled in a 20-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead.

The Redhawks came right back just a few plays later in the first quarter as Vallejo quarterback SirDarius Alexander found Davion Williams open for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Redhawks a 7-6 lead. Alexander threw two touchdowns and completed eight passes for 164 yards. He was Intercepted once. Alexander, a freshman, also run for 52 yards on the night.

"His poise is good right now," Wilson said about his signal caller. "He's keeping his poise, not getting frustrated and he's taking a lot for a freshman. He's keeping his confidence up."

In the second quarter a ball was snapped over Alexander's head and through the end zone for a St. Mary's safety. At 8-7 the Mustangs held the lead. It would not last long.

Isiah Weaver had the second forced turnover for Vallejo on an interception, while Aiden Perry had the third on a fumble recovery, but it was the fourth turnover by Vallejo that finally helped the Redhawks take the lead. Kendrick Knight had an interception for Vallejo and three plays later Lewis had a touchdown on a six-yard run with 1:03 remaining in the half to make it 14-8.

Lewis shined defensively as well as his interception in the third quarter was a pick six for 75 yards that made the score 21-8.

"I have to give thanks to our defensive lineman," Lewis said. "They came with that pressure and I saw the ball in the air and I rerouted with my man. I came up for that pick, didn't get out of position, stayed true to my work and I went for the ball and took it all the way."

Lewis had missed the previous two weeks due to him having a positive COVID-19 test. He was finally cleared to play again last Friday.

"I was really just wanting to get back to work," Lewis said. "I know I missed two weeks and lost my stamina. I wanted to be ready and it turns out I was ready."

Wilson was also glad to see Lewis back in action and not sick anymore.

"We missed him the last two weeks," Wilson said. "He's a big playmaker. When he gets the ball he's dangerous. So we missed him and his speed was good today."

Vallejo added its final score of the game when Alexander found Jeffery Holden open for a 75-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter. The big pass play made the score 28-8.

Now Vallejo will have two weeks to get ready to play Hercules on the road before a rival matchup with Jesse Bethel in the Mayor's Cup. The Vallejo junior varsity team will play at Albany next week, but Albany does not have a varsity squad. Wilson said Vallejo will likely only play nine regular season games this year as he is having a difficult time finding a replacement game for Albany.

"We have two weeks to get ready for Hercules. They're going to give us a good test," Wilson. "It's not the best time for a bye. It just happened like that but we'll be focused for Hercules when the time comes."

Hercules is also 4-3 on the season, and like Vallejo is 2-0 in the Stone. Lewis is excited for the matchup and knows the Redhawks must have good practices heading into the road game.

"Throughout the weeks we started out slow, but we got better as time went on," Lewis said about the defense. "Everybody started coming to practice, had a few players out for COVID, but then we all came back together."

The score

Vallejo 28, St. Mary's 8

Next Game: Oct. 29 at Hercules, 7 p.m.