Sierra High’s sophomore football team overcame a halftime deficit to beat visiting crosstown rival Manteca 25-16 and remain undefeated in the Valley Oak League Friday.
The Timberwolves, now 3-0 in conference play and 5-1 overall, trailed 16-12 at the break and used big plays to turn the tide. They took the lead late in the third quarter when Hunter Peterson blocked a punt, and Reid Maestas scooped up the loose ball and ran it back for a touchdown.
Maestas earlier scored on a 40-yard pass from Jake Pruitt. Pruitt also hooked up with Anthony Cervantez on a screen play that culminated in an 80-yard touchdown. Jonathon Montoya chipped in a 5-yard TD run.
The defense was led by Aaron Theil, Chuck Good, Cervantez and Maestas.
The loss was the first for the Buffaloes, who fell to 2-1 in league and 4-1 overall.
East Union 36, Weston Ranch 8
The Squires (2-1, 4-1) bounced back nicely from their first defeat with a solid all-around effort on Weston Ranch’s homecoming night.
Victor Lopez was the workhorse for EU, amassing 227 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. He got a huge chunk of that yardage on an impressive 80-yard scamper in which he leapt over two Cougars to reach the end zone on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Lopez scored his next TD from 39 yards out, breaking five tackles in the process.
Jake Danhoff (2 of 2, 40 yards, two TDs) and Isaiah Gordon (3 of 4, TD; 32 rushing yards) shared time behind center, and the Squires totaled 405 yards of offense. Cody Keener had two touchdown receptions, Clay Cuneo added one and Robbie Gleockler was in on a 2-point conversion pass play.
Southern League
Denair 28, Ripon Christian 26
Andrew Manes kept RC within striking distance of its first league win after recovering his own onside kick with 1:24 remaining, but the Knights failed to complete their well-mounted comeback attempt Saturday at Stouffer Field.
Running back Casey Kamper (14 rushes, 119 yards, two TDs) scored with 1:28 left to close RC in. Quarterback Austin Alger’s conversion run to tie it was stuffed at the 2-yard line.
Kevin Kramer added 111 yards and two scores on 13 attempts to Ripon Christian’s attack.
The defense was led by David Henderson’s 12 tackles and Jared Stuit’s 11. Kamper intercepted a pass, and Conner Dukart forced a fumble.
