The fact that the Manteca Cowboys were missing five starters due to injuries wasn’t evident Saturday in their 61-0 rout of the Pacheco Panthers.

After taking the opening drive for a touchdown, the Cowboys began executing all three facets of the game to help build a lead that would allow the team to improve to a 5-1 record in the NorCal All-American Youth Football League.

But it was special teams that allowed the Cowboys to shine.

Mykail Redman helped jump start what would become a well-oiled machine by taking three 60-plus yard punt returns into the end zone and tacking on an additional 15-yard touchdown run. Donicio Samoy scampered 18 yards for a touchdown of his own and also blocked a punt that he would scoop up and return for a touchdown.

Quarterback Seth Santos finished with a pair of touchdown passes to Darrion Parnell.

And it took a solid and collaborative defensive effort to hold the Panthers scoreless for four quarters.

Val Gomez intercepted a pass that he returned for a touchdown, and Samoy chipped in with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Both Steven Sanchez and Paul Johnson recorded a sack and both forced a fumble.



Junior varsity

Cowboys 45, Panthers 0

Manteca didn’t waste any time in getting on the board Saturday when Angel Sena connected with Seuseu Alofaituli for a 14-yard touchdown strike that would help the Cowboys improve to 6-0 this season.

Alofaituli showed he was a force on both sides of the ball when he snagged an interception on the following defensive series and returned it for a touchdown that only bolstered the Manteca lead. The dual-threat finished the game with three touchdowns, a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and five tackles.

Sena – who would connect with Marcus Panelo in the second quarter on a 48-yard touchdown pass – finished with five completions for 108 yards and two scoring tosses. He racked up 25 yards on the ground on three carries.

Gabriel Francisco – who completed a pass and ran in an extra point – led the team with eight tackles. Panelo finished with six tackles and interception, and both Da’Shae Henderson and Alofaituli both finished with five apiece.



Starts

Manteca 41, Panthers 0

Stanley Kimoni rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns to lead Manteca’s offense Saturday. Bryan Davis III added 75 yards of his own and also found the end zone while Nicco Cedolini finished his day with 68 yards and an extra point.

Adam Sena rounded out Manteca’s scoring with 47 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. He also led the defense in tackles with five, while Bitty Leon and Anthony Alcarez each finished with four apiece.



Rookies

Cowboys 43, Panthers 0

Presley DeMello’s tone-setting 68-yard kickoff return for a touchdown marked the beginning of Manteca’s blowout victory. Quarterback Manuel Guerrero hit Antonio Rosillo for the extra-point, and he connected with Seth Owings for a 20-yard score on the Cowboys’ next drive.

Matthew Pilkay, Melvin McCoy, Anthony Martinez and Jovani Oliva each contributed a touchdown run.

The defense was led by Majique Beerman (sack), Ismeal Munoz (two interceptions), Mark Barnes (sack) and Julian Scoz (fumble recovery).