Thirty years ago, on October 14, 1980, Manteca High overcame a 14-point deficit and then turned back a last-gasp effort by arch-rival East Union High to hang on to a spine-tingling 21-20 victory before a delirious, jam-packed throng at Guss Schmiedt Field. The resilient Buffaloes of Coach Walker Vick fought back to score 21 unanswered points. The Lancers scored first as Billy Emperador scampered 45 yards off tackle behind the blocks of Kelly Stewart and Chris Patzer. George Clarkson passed to Stewart for the two-point conversion. Emperador later scored again on a two-yard run. Buffalo scores were by Pat Schimke from three yards out, Larry Moreno on a 14-yard screen pass from junior quarterback Gerald Capps and Ken Howze diving in for the final MHS score. Schimke ran for a conversion and Randy Neto kicked one. Buff safety Jon Shaefer intercepted three Lancer passes, with one of them setting up the final MHS score. EU’s Lance Miller capped the final Lancer drive with a one yard scoring run.

In other sports stories from the Bulletin files:

40 years ago: October 14, 1970 - Friday night, the Manteca High football team squeezed out a 24-8 win over Atwater High. Steve Kalin and Jack Mendosa ran for the Buffalo touchdowns and quarterback Joey Jacobs tossed a 32-yard scoring pass to John Tubbs for the other. Greg Williams ran for one conversion and Jacobs passed to Kalin and Vic Liles for the other two.


Hampered by countless mistakes and penalties, the East Union High offense could not get off the ground as the Lancers, due to another outstanding defensive effort, played invading Sonora High to an 8-8 tie last Friday night at Guss Schmiedt Field. Halfback Mike Buck plunged one yard for the EU score and Chuck Dimas tossed a pass to Wayne Johnson for the conversion.

30 years ago: October 17, 1980 - Undefeated Jim Elam paced the Manteca High cross-country team to a win over Ceres High last week. The junior was clocked in 15:37. The score was 24-33. The girls team lost 22-37, although Leslie Harp took a second place.

Finally, Coach Dave Soeth’s East Union High harriers cracked the win column in 1980. Although the Lady Lancers gained a forfeit victory over Sonora High Monday at the Caswell State Park course, a win is a win. The boys team is still searching for its first win of the year after being dropped by the Wildcats, 23-32. EU’s steady William Windham cruised in ahead of the pack, timed at 15:30.

Manteca High’s dreams of going undefeated in league play were shattered yesterday as the Sonora High girls topped the Lady Buffs 8.5-6.5 at Sonora. An MHS bright spot was the winning doubles play of Denise Negley-Arabella Mola, who picked up two wins.

East Union High’s Sherrie Massengill captured victories in all three of her matches yesterday afternoon to pace the Lady Lancers to a 10-5 VOL tennis victory over Livingston High on the EU courts. Sherri Reynolds and Lisa Aragon helped the Lancers’ cause with two wins apiece.

Coach Christi Chisholm’s East Union High volleyball team garnered its sixth VOL triumph in seven starts with a relatively easy victory over newcomer Livingston High at Dalben Center. The 15-10, 15-2 win kept the Lady lancers in second place behind Sonora High.

Coach Debbie Becker’s Manteca High volleyball team was knocked off in two straight games by Los Banos High 15-6, 15-7 at Winter Gym last night. Becker credited Michelle Foote and Laura McDonald with fine floor games.