Ja’Leiyah Ray punctuated a productive week on Thursday, batting down a potential game-winning touchdown in the end zone as time expired, as Lathrop held on for the 7-6 win over visiting East Union.
Quarterback Julianna Gaspar, making her season debut for East Union, escaped pressure and spotted Evelyn Ruelas open in the back corner of the end zone. The reigning Valley Oak League Offensive Player of the Year lofted was on target with the pass, but Ray quickly closed the gap jumped in front of Ruelas to swat it away.
“I knew it was coming with a couple seconds left on the clock,” Ray said. “I had to come through for my team. They had to score, and seeing the ball up in the air, I had to either pick it or I smack it down.”
It was only fitting that she had a say in the final play of the game.
The fourth-year starter scored Lathrop’s only touchdown on an 11-yard pass from sophomore Aviahna Calderon, who then put the Spartans (3-1) ahead for good with a completed conversion toss to center Tianna Gonzalez with 1:49 to go in the first half. Morgann Hegler contributed a pivotal third-down catch that went for a 37-yard gain in the scoring drive.
Ray finished with 55 yards on six rushes and another 31 yards on three receptions. She also came up with a key interception on the second play of the fourth quarter, ending with two flag pulls and two pass deflections on defense.
On the previous night, Ray scored on a 10-yard reception, a 66-yard run and an interception return in a commanding 24-6 victory against Sierra.
“I honestly feel she is the best player in the 209,” Lathrop coach Randy Baltazar said. “I know I haven’t seen everybody, but ever time she plays, she does something spectacular. She’s a gamer, and I’m just glad she plays for us.”
Sareah Reed led the defense with seven flag pulls, one for a loss. Marianna Coon and Hegler each had five.
East Union (0-2) employed a two-quarterback strategy, in part to work its incumbent starter back into form. Gaspar suffered a knee injury last year and surgically repaired over the winter. She did not play in the Lancers’ season-opening defeat at St. Mary’s on Tuesday.
Gaspar went 10 of 18 for 87 yards, hitting Vanessa Velasquez (11 receptions, 101 yards) for a 30-yard score midway through the second period.
“She opens everything up with her arm strength and her vision,” EU coach Beto Lopez said. “She sees things so well she’s able to make adjustments on the field and see things that I can’t see from the sideline.
“One of the limitations I gave her, even though she got cleared, was no scrambling, running, no options. That hindered us a little but, but it’s forcing her to see the field better. When she is finally able to scramble, then she’s going to be that much better.”
Fellow senior Andrea Guibor started behind center and continued to split snaps with Gaspar, finishing 12 of 17 for 69 yards.
“She didn’t play last year, and her sophomore year, she was a running back,” Lopez said of Guibor. “This is game 2 under belt, and that’s why we kept alternating — she has earned the right to continue to play at the quarterback position. They both did a great job.”
He looks forward to the debut of one of his best players in Savanna Lopez, who wrapping up softball commitments. Her absence has allowed others to step up, such as freshman Kenzee Mejia, who contributed an interception.
Ruelas paced the Lancers’ defense with five flag pulls, and Diana Reyes had three, including one for loss.
“We’re playing close games against great teams,” Coach Lopez said. “We’re young, and it’ll leave them hungry. We’re just going to continue to get back at it.”
Both teams will host Tracy next week; Lathrop on Tuesday and East Union on Thursday.
Junior varsity
Lathrop 26, East Union 24
Alexia Garcia threw for two touchdowns and ran for one more, completing six of eight passes for 137 yards. Her 70-yard touchdown connection with Ryleigh Race (two catches, 90 yards) completes the Spartans’ comeback.
Vanescia Rodriguez helped balance out the attack, as she had seven carries for 102 rushing yards — 66 coming on a touchdown scamper.
Race shared the team league with four flag pulls. Jacquelyn Avalos also had four to go with a sack and pass deflection.
