Three of the four Manteca Cowboys youth football teams survived the second round of the DYSA NorCal East Conference playoffs this past Saturday in Galt.

The junior varsity (10-1) and starts (11-0) upended the Lodi Colts by mirroring 18-12 scores. The rookies (11-0) handled the Colts more decisively, 32-0. Manteca’s varsity (8-3) contingent was eliminated by the Modesto Rams, 52-18.

The three advancing squads will return home to East Union High’s Dino Cunial Field this upcoming Saturday, as the Cowboys are hosting the conference finals. The starts, rookies and JV are scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., respectively.



Junior varsity

The Manny Rodriguez-Andrew Sena combination carried the Cowboys past the Colts. Sena was targeted eight times by QB Rodriguez, and he caught every pass for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Rodriguez ended up with 125 passing yards and an interception. The touchdown plays covered 40 and 20 yards.

Jordan Doyle accounted for the other score, a 25-yard punt return. He finished with 140 total yards intercepted a pass on defense.

Anthony Martinez provided some punch on both sides of scrimmage, plowing his way for 80 rushing yards while compiling seven tackles on defense. Matthew Pilkay (100 yards, 6 tackles) was another all-around contributor.

Presley Demello had a big day defensively in his second game back from what was thought to be a season-ending knee injury, tallying four tackles, two pass deflections and a quarterback sack. Andrew Mount totaled 11 tackles, and defensive tackle Carlos Gonzalez came up with five stops.

Manteca will look to avenge its lone loss of the season against the undefeated Modesto Rams this Saturday.

Rookies

Several Cowboys players had a hand in their second-round rout of the Colts. They will take on the once-beaten Central Valley Panthers in the conference championship.

Kimoni Stanley led the way with six carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Eric Morales rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns on just three attempts. He also passed for 57 yards.

Also contributing offensively were Daniel Morales (26-yard catch; 4 rushes, 52 yards), Brian Howe (25-yard TD reception) and Jayden Tanforan (3 carries, 38 yards).

Derek Alicea Jr. paced the defense with nine tackles. Joey Aguirre collected eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Nicco Cedolini also recovered a fumble to go with six tackles.

Adam Garcia, Xavier Mendez, Romeo Mahan and Anthony Salcedo each added four stops.

Starts

Manteca dominated with its running game that included Alex Scoz (98 yards, 2 TDs), Nick Luna (65 yards, TD), Isaac Scoz (70 yards) and Eric Brojas (43 yards).

J.R. Espinoza (3 tackles, forced fumble, recovery), Alex Cervantes (3 tackles), Matt Wilcox (3 tackles), B.J. Davis (2 tackles) and Isaac Scoz (2 tackles) led the defense.

The starts team will begin Saturday’s four-game event against the Central Valley Panthers.