MANTECA’S ‘THOR’ HAMMERS PATTERSON

Nichelson scores 4 1st-half TDs, defense pitches 2nd-half shutout

Manteca’s Blake Nichelson (20) gets ready to take on Patterson defensive back Tristan Nguyen. - photo by Wayne Thallander

Bulletin sports fall 2021 — Manteca’s Blake Nichelson (20) gets ready to take on Patterson defensive back Tristan Nguyen. - photo by Wayne Thallander

Blake Nichelson is nicknamed “Thor” by some because of his resemblance to the Marvel character with the long hair and chiseled body.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior flashed some of his superhuman abilities in the first half of Manteca’s 44-17 win over Patterson on Friday. Lining up and both receiver and tailback, Nichelson’s thundering start included three electric touchdowns on his first three touches from scrimmage.

The Buffaloes (2-0) led for good after scoring on their first offensive play. Sophomore quarterback Garrison Reis hit Nichelson near the left sideline on a bubble route, and the receiver turned upfield for a 64-yard touchdown. His next three touches resulted in a two-point conversion and 47- and 68-yard touchdown scampers. Reis later targeted him for an 18-yard touchdown, helping Manteca take a 30-17 halftime lead.

“I just kind of get into a mode,” Nichelson said. “I just go, really. There’s really nothing to it. It’s weird, because I don’t really remember the plays.”

By halftime, Nichelson had 224 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage on just nine touches. Overall, he finished with 152 yards on 11 rushes five receptions for 99 yards.

Reis had a solid outing in his second varsity start, completing eight of 12 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Manteca dominated the second half, mostly with its physical run game, but Reis capped the onslaught with a feathery toss to a leaping Trey Moreland in the back of the end zone.

“All I have to do is get it to our dudes,” Reis said. “That’s all I’ve been saying since Day 1.”

On the touchdown to Moreland: “Shaky ball, a little bit, but Trey went up and got it. That’s why we have dudes like that. Trey Moreland is a great player.”

Lyon Colon added a 2-yard touchdown in the second half, finishing with 70 yards on 18 carries. Manteca had 11 different ball carriers on the night, piling up 279 rushing yards and 399 in total against a stout Patterson front that includes standouts in 6-4, 290-pound Marcus Simien and T.J. Levu.

The Buffs set the tone in the second half with a 12-play scoring drive — featuring all run plays — that took up 5 minutes, 10 seconds. Their next series lasted 6 minutes and 15 plays, and they ran out the final 6:56 of the game.

“We had to go old-school Manteca, establish our dominance up front,” Manteca coach Mark Varnum said. “We just grinded (a long) drive and took the wind out of their sails. Great job by the boys up front. Coach (Brian) Rohles kept them guessing all night and did a great job calling plays. With our weapons, man, you just have to pick your poison.”

One of those weapons being Moreland, who had three carries for 26 yards and averaged 28 yards on three kickoff returns. He was featured more in the second half as Colon and Nichelson took plays off with minor knocks.

“We’ve played really potent offenses two weeks in a row so we’ve had to make sure that he focuses on defense (at safety), but Trey’s a huge weapon on offense.,” Varnum said. “You’re going to see him get more love and more touches as the season goes on and it just adds another facet to our game.”

For Patterson (0-2), quarterback Jacob Guevarra (11 of 22, 209 yards, two TDs, interception; four rushes, 19 yards), receiver Javier Huizar (nine receptions, 161 yards, TD) and running back Sean Hansen (16 rushes, 75 yards) did well to keep the Tigers within range in the first half. Guevarra’s 31-yard touchdown strike up the middle to Leo Refil closed them in 30-17 with 30 seconds left in the second quarter.

Patterson’s spread offense was grounded in the second half and limited to just two drives ending in a punt and a turnover on downs. The Tigers totaled 311 yards of offense but only 55 of it in the second half.

Linebackers Tommy Perea and Cole Ramsey helped lead the defense with multiple tackles for losses. Perea also recovered a fumble caused by Nichelson for a turnover, and Dominic Alvarez intercepted a pass.

“It was just two plays in the first half,” Varnum said, referencing Patterson’s two big-play touchdowns. Guevarra hit Huizar in stride for an over-the-shoulder 51-yard catch-and-run for the Tigers’ other score.

“They were flying around and playing great defense,” Varnum added. “We’re going to have a huge test next week and we’ll be ready for it.”

The Buffaloes play host to Cosumnes Oaks (0-1) of Elk Grove next Friday, Sept. 3. The Wolfpack had its game with Monterey Trail called off Friday because of poor air quality stemming from the Caldor and Dixie wildfires.

SCORING SUMMARY

Patterson 3 14 0 0 — 17

Manteca 24 6 6 8 — 44

First quarter

P — Johan Mendoza 28 field goal, 8:28.

M — Blake Nichelson 64 pass from Garrison Reis (Nichelson run), 8:04.

M — Nichelson 47 run (Lyon Colon run), 6:38.

M — Nichelson 68 run (Colon run), 3:30.

Second quarter

P — Javier Huizar 51 pass from Jacob Guevarra (Mendoza kick), 7:16.

M — Nichelson 18 pass from Reis (run failed), 2:21.

P — Leo Refil 31 pass from Guevarra (Mendoza kick), 0:30.