Lathrop’s Luz De Luna threw three touchdown passes Wednesday, while teammate Jaleiyah Ray snagged three interceptions to go with her touchdown catch in a 19-6 in over host Lathrop in non-league flag football action at Guss Schmiedt Field.
In addition to her touchdown toss to Ray, De Luna (21 of 35 passing, 216 yards) threw touchdown passes of 1 yard to Melia Lewis and 20 yards to Moira Ramones.
“Their rushers were coming in really fast,” De Luna said. “I knew my teammates were going to get open, so I just threw the ball really fast so it would get there in time.”
Ray made eight catches for 48 yards and led the defense for the Spartans (2-1), who kept the Buffaloes offense from scoring.
“We play defense with intensity and energy to help set up the offense,” Ray said.
Aaliyah Thompson made five pulls for Lathrop and Angie Gonzalez four.
“They are a pretty solid team,” Spartans coach Randy Baltazar said. “They have some pretty dynamite girls, but we stuck with the game plan. We kept everything in front, and Aaliyah (Thompson) kept the pressure on their quarterback.
“At first, it was hard to see the defense they were in, but eventually, Luz started seeing the seams, and we were able to put something together.
Mayh Hayter got Manteca (1-2) on the board early in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead on a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown. Lily Dundas was 8 of 16 passing for 80 yards for the Buffaloes with Graciela Torres gaining 38 yards on four carries with a 30-yard catch along with 10 pulls and an interception. Raniya Nelson made eight pulls, Sari Lawson five while Keira McCulley added an interception.
“This was a tough loss at home,” Manteca coach Paul Simpson said. “We felt like we prepared the girls well to come in here, and we just didn’t execute like we wanted to.
“We have to get back to the drawing board and prepare for next week”
The two teams will square off against Escalon in their next game with Lathrop going on the road today at 5:30 p.m. and the Buffaloes hosting the Cougars on Tuesday night at 7.
