By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Squires suffer 1st loss
Sierra repels second-half charge
SHSEU-JV3-10-2-11
Sierras Dakota Conners looks for running room past East Unions Cody Kenner during Fridays crosstown sophomore game as East Union hosted Sierra High at Dino Cunial Field.

Sierra High’s sophomore football team held on to hand East Union its first loss 41-28 at Dino Cunial Field Friday.

The Squires (1-1 Valley Oak League, 3-1 overall), who celebrating homecoming, rallied for 14 unanswered points in the third quarter, closing in 29-21 after a blowout seemed imminent.

Sierra (2-0, 4-1) rolled to 454 yards of offense — 262 passing, 192 rushing — and nearly doubled EU’s production (277). Quarterback Jake Pruitt ran for two touchdowns and connected with three more through the air; once each to Dakota Conners, Jonathon Munkholm and Bryson Sanders. Reid Maestas added one touchdown run, and Bryan Romero anchored the offense at center.

Defensively, Aaron Theil, Keano Calderon, Chuck Good, Isaac Gutierrez, Reid Maestas and Storm Anderson were among Sierra’s standouts.

Victor Lopez was the workhorse for East Union, rushing 20 times for 111 yards. Nic McGill scored once on a pass play and once on the ground.

Robbie Gloeckler added a 36-yard touchdown catch from Jake Danhoff, who finished 8 of 12 for 94 yards and two scores. Isaiah Gordon also saw time behind center, completing five of 12 for 68 yards and a TD.

East Union looks to rebound at Weston Ranch’s homecoming next Friday, while Sierra hosts its other crosstown rival, Manteca, in a battle between two of the VOL’s top sophomore squads.

Manteca 50, Weston Ranch 8

Weston Ranch ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but Manteca (2-0, 4-0) broke big plays of its own in the second half to build on its comfortable 30-8 lead.

Alex Laurel returned the opening kickoff of the second half 85 yards to pay dirt, and Elijah Cooper added a 60-yard run later in the third quarter to make it 42-8. Brandon Dabney’s 35-yard scamper capped the final score in the fourth quarter.

Michael Gonzales accounted for 111 of the Buffaloes’ 310 rushing yards. Among his nine carries were two TD runs of 7 and 16 yards. Matt Wilkerson added a 15-yard touchdown jaunt.

Quarterback Buddy Reeder (3 of 8, 34 yards) was in on Manteca’s first points, a 22-yard pass to Alex Garlets followed by a toss to Devopnte Milligan on the 2-point conversion.

Linemen Joe Eavenson, Gus LaDue, Valenti Saavadra, Michael Hatfield and Tyler Elliott were lauded for the play in the trenches.