LATHROP – On Friday, there wasn’t much that went right for the Lathrop football team and its daring quarterback, Diego Chavez

The Spartans were staring down another loss, buried beneath an avalanche of touchdowns late in a 37-7 loss to Sierra, and the number of wounded bodies on the bench was climbing.

Just when it looked like frustration might own the night, Chavez provided an offensive spark that may power the Spartans’ pursuit of an historic third victory.

He wanted the ball.

And six points.

Chavez engineered the Spartans’ only touchdown with his legs, calling his own number on a gutsy fourth-down run to extend the drive. He rumbled 39 yards on a zone read, moving the Spartans into the red zone for the first time all evening.

Chavez carried the ball five times on the drive for 53 yards, and capped the sequence with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Felix Rodriguez.

On that possession, Chavez was given the green-light by Wichman to commandeer the huddle. Until that point, Wichman, a former collegiate quarterback, had called all the plays.

The second-year coach said he learned a lot about his young starter’s leadership ability in that moment.

“He called his number. He wanted the ball. He wanted the ball on those runs. It showed me a lot about his character,” Wichman said. “He’s only a junior and this is the sixth varsity game that he’s played in, and every single game he’s shown more leadership.”

Chavez might lack the height and proper mechanics that define the quarterback position, but his moxie and determination have made him a torch bearer for a program searching for a foothold in the ever-competitive VOL.

Wichman hopes to build the program around the 5-foot-7, 152-pound junior.

“We feel that way about him, absolutely. He’s a hard worker and he’s like a sponge; he absorbs any criticism,” Wichman said. “He has nice things about his game – he can run the ball and throw the ball.”

Lathrop has the pieces to surround Chavez.

Wide receiver Reggie Carter Jr. and tight end Nathan Ogunbanwo give the under-sized quarterback tall targets down the field, while running back Jairell McCain is a threat on screen passes and check downs.

Chavez has passed for 831 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a season-best 234 yards and four touchdowns in a shootout loss to Ripon.

On Friday, against one of the VOL’s toughest defenses, Chavez accounted for 93 percent (140 of 150 yards) of the team’s offense.

He finished with 67 yards on 11 carries and was 12 of 20 for 73 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s still trying to figure himself out management wise and how to do the little things, but I got complete faith in him. I really do,” Wichman said. “I’m always looking for teaching moments with him, because I know he has the potential to get better.”

The next stage in his progression has nothing to do with his arm or feet, but his voice.

Following Friday’s loss, Wichman challenged his quarterback to keep the players excited about the remaining schedule by becoming a vocal leader.

The teacher and student huddled near the 30-yard line, talking in hushed tones until the stadium lights were turned off.

It was an intimate portrait of a coach and his star ... a former college quarterback growing the next generation.

“The discussion we had is that next week is going to be a tough week morale-wise for ourselves,” Wichman said. “Not only game-planning and getting ready for East Union, but just to pick the spirits up for the rest of his teammates. I’m expecting that he’ll do a good job of bringing everyone back together and recharging their batteries.”

Lathrop travels to East Union on Friday in a battle of fourth-place teams.

Wichman hopes the Spartans can find the form that produced wins against Liberty Ranch and Weston Ranch, and a near-victory against defending VOL champion Manteca two weeks ago.

The Spartans have never won more than two games in a season.

“It’s going to be a tough test for us next week to see how we’re able to bounce back from two straight home losses,” Wichman said.

Chavez promises to figure heavily in the Spartans’ chances. Lathrop also has games against Central Catholic, Oakdale and Kimball on the schedule.

“I know the guys respect him. The guy that calls his own number over and over says he wants the ball; says he wants to make something happen for us,” Wichman said. “That’s proof enough to the team that this is the guy that’s willing to take the lead.”