Refreshed from its bye week, Lathrop’s football team returned to action last Friday in Los Banos and pounded Pacheco 26-13 to kick off Western Athletic Conference play.

The defending champion Spartans (1-0, 3-1 overall) controlled the game with their run game and a bend-don’t-break defense that allowed just two field goals in the first three quarters.

Joseph Valencia registered the lone touchdown for Pacheco (0-4) with a 2-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter. Lathrop rode out its two-score advantage from there.

Reigning conference MVP Pablo Peña led the Spartans on both sides of scrimmage. He rumbled for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. The fullback/linebacker racked up 12 tackles on defense.

Peña also tacked on a two-point conversion run following one of the game’s big highlights — an 87-yard TD catch-and-run from Treydon Santos, who finished with 152 yards from scrimmage. Malachi Gonzales took his lone carry to the end zone from 23 yards out in the third quarter. 

Quarterback Landen Nolte continued his efficient play, completing five of six passes for 145 yards. Lathrop more than doubled the Panthers’ offensive yardage, 396-192. Gonzales tallied 10 tackles, corner back Amaari Harris had an interception and two pass deflections, and Jonah Hernandez recovered a fumble.

Lathrop hosts Grace Davis (1-0, 2-2) this Friday for its true home opener. The Spartans are unveiling their revamped stadium this week after hosting their previous home games at other Manteca Unified sites.

Hughson 31, Ripon 28

In a Trans Valley League opener with wild momentum swings, Ripon’s junior class took its first loss at any level of high school Friday on the road.

Handcuffed by turnovers (three) and penalties, the Indians (0-1 TVL, 3-1 overall) led 14-3 in the second quarter before the defending league champion Huskies (5-0) countered with 21 unanswered points.

Ripon led for the last time when quarterback Andrew Shaw dashed into the end zone from 2 yards out with 1:49 to go. That was the fourth touchdown run of the night for Shaw, who scampered for 103 yards on 15 carries. 

Aided by Ripon penalties, freshman QB Hudson Baldwin led the Huskies down the field on the winning drive, capping it with a 9-yard TD rush with 15 seconds left. Baldwin passed for 206 yards, as Hughson’s run game was limited to 98.

The Indians will look to get right in a non-league game at Modesto (2-2) this Friday.

Hilmar 35, Ripon Christian 21

The Knights (0-1, 4-1) stumbled to a 21-0 halftime deficit and dropped its first loss of the season.

They were able to climb back into the game by scoring 14 unanswered points in the second half, but host Hilmar (4-1) put it away with two unanswered scores of its own. Mattheu Brum’s 2-yard TD run pushed the Yellowjackets’ lead to 35-14 with 2:35 remaining.

Mason Tameling completed touchdown passes to Amos Cady and Aaron Van Hofwegen for Ripon Christian. Lushen Sanders added one touchdown and headed the Knights’ attack with 57 yards on nine carries. Tameling ran for 44 yards and completed nine of 21 passes for 79 yards.

Van Hofwegen (12 tackles) and Cady (10 tackles, interception) led the defense.

Hilmar rushed for 198 yards, and Jorden Jacobo hit Nathan Ayala (four receptions, 132 yards) for two scores.

It doesn’t get easier for RC, which heads to reigning champion Hughson and then rival Ripon the next two Fridays.