Manteca stood toe-to-toe with a West Catholic Athletic League heavyweight on Friday, but Saint Francis made the big plays in key moments to hold on for the hard-earned 31-23 win in Mountain View.
In the end, two NCAA Division I prospects came up with interceptions in the fourth quarter to secure the Lancers’ victory. Three-star linebacker Jayden Lewis, who holds 10 NCAA Division I offers, and Navy-committed safety Uate Pifeleti each had a pick near midfield on Manteca’s final two offensive series.
The big swing, however, came at the end of the first half when Manteca had a chance to expand on a 14-10 lead. The Buffs ended up turning it over on downs at the Saint Francis 19-yard line. The Lancers then marched down toward the other goal line, and on fourth down, Luke Mota scored on a 2-yard run to push the home team ahead for good.
It quickly became a two-score gap for the Buffaloes after halftime, as Saint Francis standout quarterback Drew Cumby scored on an 80-yard sprint to make it 24-14. He earlier completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Cody Butler.
Nikko Juarez hit paydirt twice on short-yardage scampers for the Buffaloes, and QB Brody Carabello hit Jaylin Harris for a 70-yard touchdown. Eli Navarro contributed a 28-yard field goal.
After challenging one of the top teams from the Central Coast Section, Manteca will continue its rigorous schedule next week against one of the best of the Central Section in Buchanan in Clovis.
Ripon Christian 41, Summerville 6
The Knights got their running game untracked in Tuolumne, amassing 364 rushing yards while racing away with 34 unanswered points.
Starting in place of Jax Booth, who is out with a fractured ankle, Tyler Van Elderen broke out with 175 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
Talen Tameling rambled for two touchdowns on sweeps, finishing with 89 yards on seven attempts. He also made five of six point after kicks.
Mason Clark (four rushes, 54 yards, TD) and Jack Schaapman (10 rushes, 42 yards) also contributed to the attack. Josiah Van Vliet added a 1-yard touchdown run, while going 3-of-8 passing with 32 yards all to receiver Stadtler Postma.
Postma also led the defense with seven total tackles and a pass breakup. Ben Medhurst contributed five tackles.
Golden Valley 23, Lathrop 6
Five turnovers and an inability to finish drives doomed the Spartans in Merced.
The biggest turnover came between two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Golden Valley. Lathrop fumbled a kickoff return deep in its own territory after a touchdown, and the Cougars put the game away on the next play.
Jayden White scored Lathrop’s lone touchdown. He rushed nine times for 46 yards. Jaylen Santos led the offense with 77 yards on eight carries.
Ekam Sohal chipped in 48 yards on seven rushes, along with 27 receiving yards on two catches. Quarterback DJ Reyno (6 of 14, 91 yards, INT) also connected with Damian Hermosillo on two completions with 27 yards.
