After just nine offensive plays Sierra had put up five touchdowns Thursday on the way to a 51-13 Valley Oak League freshman win over Lathrop at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
“We had an all-around team effort,” Timberwolves coach Walt Brookshire said. “Our defense did a great job with four turnovers and two of them were returned for touchdowns.”
Jake Pruitt (5 for 17 passing, 117 yards) was a big part of that early blitz with touchdown throws of 13 yards to Jordan Delgado and 20 yards to a diving Lucas Widmer. Delgado scored on an 8-yard run and Anthony Cervantez returned a fumble of teammate Dakota Conners – who had just snagged an interception – 36 yards for a touchdown to make the score 32-0.
In the third quarter, three touchdowns were scored in less than a minute. With 4:06 showing on the clock, Aaron Worthens (20 carries, 150 yards) scored on a 5-yard run for the Spartans. Thirty seconds later. Pruitt hit Garrett DeVillianueva with a 60-yard touchdown pass and Gerald Ray returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to draw Lathrop within 38-13.
Brad Taji scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter for Sierra and DeVillianueva returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the game.
“Thirteen penalties and four turnovers equals a bad loss against any team,” Spartans coach Dwayne Day said. “We handed Sierra 24 points and they beat us in every other phase of the game. Aaron Worthens ran the ball like a beast all game long and we would follow up each run with penalties and turnovers.”
Luis Hernandez forced and recovered a fumble for he Timberwolves and teammate Ike Gutierrez made an interception.
Victor Villalobos made six tackles for Lathrop, Andrew Gaynor four and Nilo Youson an interception.
“This was one of those games where you know it’s going to come down to either a big play or a (big mistake) and we made several big mistakes that cost us the V.O.L. freshman football championship,” Manteca coach Jon Shaefer said. “But on the other hand when you score an apparent two-point conversion which is signaled by both line judges as good, but several minutes later is nullified by another ref for an unknown reason and then you have a spectacular 80-yard interception return called back by a questionable call at best just before the half it makes it hard to swallow in a game that means so much to 35 kids.
“But when all is said and done, we as coaches still have to put it into perspective and make sure they understand it’s just a game and games don’t always turn out the way they should.”
Matt Wilkerson (18 carries, 138 yards) scored on runs of 1 yard, 4 and 65 yards for the Buffaloes. Buddy Reeder was 4 of 9 passing for 64 yards. Elijah Cooper recovered a fumble forced by Peter Moa and Reeder made an interception.
Penalties stymied Weston Ranch the entire game with the Cougars gaining just 106 yards in total offense. Chris Cliatt led Weston Ranch with 41 yards on the ground.
“We had only 15 guys suited up for the game and that was just a factor we could not overcome,” Cougars coach Nathan Moore said. “Guys were tired and they were forced to stay on the field. I’m proud of our guys they fought until the end even though the score put us out of the game.”
Jake Danhoff hit Isaiha Gordon with a 4-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter for the lone East Union score. Gordon connected with Clay Cuneo four times for 48 yards. Jordan Perry, Jose Maltez, Victor Lopez, Josh Wood, and Andrew Ortiz all took turns carrying the ball for the Lancers.
“We had an all-around team effort,” Timberwolves coach Walt Brookshire said. “Our defense did a great job with four turnovers and two of them were returned for touchdowns.”
Jake Pruitt (5 for 17 passing, 117 yards) was a big part of that early blitz with touchdown throws of 13 yards to Jordan Delgado and 20 yards to a diving Lucas Widmer. Delgado scored on an 8-yard run and Anthony Cervantez returned a fumble of teammate Dakota Conners – who had just snagged an interception – 36 yards for a touchdown to make the score 32-0.
In the third quarter, three touchdowns were scored in less than a minute. With 4:06 showing on the clock, Aaron Worthens (20 carries, 150 yards) scored on a 5-yard run for the Spartans. Thirty seconds later. Pruitt hit Garrett DeVillianueva with a 60-yard touchdown pass and Gerald Ray returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to draw Lathrop within 38-13.
Brad Taji scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter for Sierra and DeVillianueva returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the game.
“Thirteen penalties and four turnovers equals a bad loss against any team,” Spartans coach Dwayne Day said. “We handed Sierra 24 points and they beat us in every other phase of the game. Aaron Worthens ran the ball like a beast all game long and we would follow up each run with penalties and turnovers.”
Luis Hernandez forced and recovered a fumble for he Timberwolves and teammate Ike Gutierrez made an interception.
Victor Villalobos made six tackles for Lathrop, Andrew Gaynor four and Nilo Youson an interception.
Oakdale 21, Manteca 20
The Buffaloes battled back from a 21-6 deficit but came up just short in a fight for first place.“This was one of those games where you know it’s going to come down to either a big play or a (big mistake) and we made several big mistakes that cost us the V.O.L. freshman football championship,” Manteca coach Jon Shaefer said. “But on the other hand when you score an apparent two-point conversion which is signaled by both line judges as good, but several minutes later is nullified by another ref for an unknown reason and then you have a spectacular 80-yard interception return called back by a questionable call at best just before the half it makes it hard to swallow in a game that means so much to 35 kids.
“But when all is said and done, we as coaches still have to put it into perspective and make sure they understand it’s just a game and games don’t always turn out the way they should.”
Matt Wilkerson (18 carries, 138 yards) scored on runs of 1 yard, 4 and 65 yards for the Buffaloes. Buddy Reeder was 4 of 9 passing for 64 yards. Elijah Cooper recovered a fumble forced by Peter Moa and Reeder made an interception.
Kimball 26, Weston Ranch 0
The Cougars trailed 6-0 at halftime but the Jaguars scored twice in the third quarter to pull out of reach. Penalties stymied Weston Ranch the entire game with the Cougars gaining just 106 yards in total offense. Chris Cliatt led Weston Ranch with 41 yards on the ground.
“We had only 15 guys suited up for the game and that was just a factor we could not overcome,” Cougars coach Nathan Moore said. “Guys were tired and they were forced to stay on the field. I’m proud of our guys they fought until the end even though the score put us out of the game.”
Sonora 48, East Union 6
The Wildcats converted five Lancers turnovers into touchdowns on Thursday.Jake Danhoff hit Isaiha Gordon with a 4-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter for the lone East Union score. Gordon connected with Clay Cuneo four times for 48 yards. Jordan Perry, Jose Maltez, Victor Lopez, Josh Wood, and Andrew Ortiz all took turns carrying the ball for the Lancers.
