The new-look Solano-Yolo Falcons claimed a big scalp Thursday night with a 28-22 defeat of the Danville Oaks in the Northern California Premier Varsity division.

Solo is the result of a merger between Dixon HS, which won the national single-school title in 2012, and two clubs nearby. The idea was to add 30 or so players to ensure depth in the Premier, which requires teams to field three sides each week. In fact, the additional players numbered only eight, but Head Coach Rob Salaber said those players were crucial to ensuring that Solo would be able to play in the Premier.

Last week, Solo beat Lamorinda 24-10 in a game where Salaber said his team did not play well. This time around, against the defending NorCal club champion Oaks, Solo was much better.

"It was a great game and Danville showed a ton of character," said Salaber. "We had a good, balanced team performance. The guys are now buying in to what we're doing, and the boost from the other clubs has been really positive."

Solo worked to hit Danville behind the gain line and put the Oaks under pressure. It worked, but failed to break Danville mentally, as the Oaks continued to forge ahead and scored a late try to inch within a score at 28-22. For the Falcons, D'Lornn McMullen was superb at outside center, while flyhalf Carmeron Garlick directed the attack efficiently. Up front, the forwards as a unit matched up with the bigger Danville pack, and were led by Jake Arnold.

Danville program director Jon Straka said the Falcons were better tacklers than Danville, and their backline was swift and tough to contain.

"They were quicker to everything and wanted it more," said Straka.

Solo moves to 2-0 and Danville to 1-1.

Also this weekend, 1-0 Granite Bay hosts 0-1 Mother Lode, and 2015 single-school champs Jesuit start their league season at 0-1 Archbishop Riordan. Jesuit is captained by HS All American Christian Dyer, and Coach John Shorey said he has a more balanced squad, with some impressive underclassmen.