Nick Stanley returned the opening kickoff 73 yards for a Manteca Cowboys touchdown Saturday to set the tone in a 36-0 DYSA varsity win over the host Lathrop Lions at Bennie Gatto Field.
Anthony Contreras had two second-quarter touchdowns, one on a 40-yard pass from Joseph Espinosa and the other on the last play of the half on a 70-yard interception return.
Other offensive highlights for the Cowboys in the first half was a 3-yard touchdown run for Antonio Montero (four carries for 40 yards), and 18-yard touchdown run for Joseph Espinosa and Stanley’s two carries for 78 yards.
The Manteca defense posted its third shutout in as many games with Contreras making four tackles and two interceptions and A.J. Martinez, Levi Huffman (two sacks), Alex Alexander and Antonio Montero getting three tackles apiece.
Junior varsity
Cowboys 20, Lions 12
Kimoni Stanley carried the load for the Cowboys with eight carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Shane Crawford (10 carries, 59 yards) had a 4-yard touchdown run. Leo Bonilla and Eric Morales contributed on offense for Manteca.
Crawford was in on 11 tackles for the Cowboys with Anthony Salcido in on nine, Angelo Lopez (forced fumble) seven, Stanley (fumble recovery) and Bonilla six each, Asiah Scott and Jamari Mulligan five apiece, Sergio Espinoza four and Nicco Cedolini and Ivan Montanez three.
Rookies
Cowboys 21, Lions 18
Daniel Morales churned out 180 yards including a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to key the come-from-behind win for the Cowboys.
Xavier Mendez scored two touchdowns for Manteca in the second quarter.
Rahime Carroll had four tackles and an interception to pace the Cowboys defense. Trey Morland, Daniel Morales and Derek Alicia Jr. each had three stops for the Cowboys.
Starts
Cowboys 40, Lions 14
Alex Cervantes scored four touchdowns for the Cowboys.
Cervantes ran for 215 yards with scoring runs of 15 and 50 yards for scores as well as touchdowns on kickoff returns of 58 and 67 yards. ,
Robbie Espinosa (69 yards rushing) scored on a 55-yard run for Manteca and Bryson David (53 yards rushing) added a 19-yard scoring run.
Alex Cervantes led the Cowboys with nine tackles and a fumble recovery followed by Nico Salcedo with seven tackles and Bryson David and Nathan Cedolini with three apiece.
