The varsity Manteca Cowboys relied all year on speed and finesse to take an undefeated record into the National Youth Football League with the Central Valley Panthers.
But Saturday night at Dino Cunial Field the rain, wind and mud negated the heart of the Cowboys’ attack and the Panthers were able to slosh their way to a 20-7 victory.
“They just wanted it more than we did,” Manteca coach Eddie Lopez said. “The bottom line is they played harder and better than we did.”
Kevin Cunningham gave the Cowboys a 7-6 lead late in the third quarter on a 16-yard touchdown scamper followed by an off-tackle plunge for the extra-point.
Rene Delgado recovered a fumble for Manteca. L.J. Alofaituli led the Cowboys with five tackles and Donicio Samoy added four.
Modesto – undefeated and unscored upon coming into the game – were picking up 5 to 10 yards a carry late in the contest and had first and goal to go from the Manteca 2-yard line with 2:01 left in the fourth quarter when the wheels came off the Raiders wagon.
Three illegal procedure penalties moved the ball to the 17 where Seuseu Alofaituli and Joseph Macias crashed off of their blocks and leveled the Modesto ball carrier, forcing a fumble for teammate Alejandro Loaiza to recover and slam the door on Modesto.
In the second quarter following a drive highlighted by a 24-yard pass from Macias (five completions, 90 yards) to Marcus Panelo (six carries, 52 yards) and a 23-yard run by Panelo, Anthony Ochoa (12 carries, 67 yards) bulled the ball from the 1 for the only points that would be scored in the game.
Macias (interception, fumble recovery) made nine tackles, Ochoa (forced fumble) eight, Jereicho Taamu (three forced fumbles), Panelo (two forced fumbles) and Loaiza six apiece, Gabriel Francisco (two fumble recoveries) and Parker Caston five each and four apiece for Alofaituli (forced fumble, fumble recovery), Steven Jasper (fumble recovery), Joshua Faia, Jesse Ochoa, Baily Simons and Angel Sena.
“At the end of this game I was just speechless,” Manteca coach Paul Johnson said. “We came into this season with all new kids and only one that was in the starting lineup from the previous years.
“They had to learn my system, what they were capable of doing and how to work together. I am so proud of these young men. They worked hard and now they are champions and no one can take that from them.”
DeMello (12 carries, 96 yards) finished with two touchdowns and Rosillo (13 carries, 67 yards) one. Rosillo was recognized by the league for his outstanding season: 1514 yards on 147 carries, 22 touchdowns, 10 extra points, six games over 100 yards rushing, two games over 200 yards. He had three touchdowns in a game with 279 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns in another game.
Presley DeMello was in on 15 tackles for Manteca. Zach Taamu added 11 stops, 82 Matt Dunham nine, Logan Harries and Adam Sena eight each and Kimoni Stanley and Nicco Cedolini four apiece.
But Saturday night at Dino Cunial Field the rain, wind and mud negated the heart of the Cowboys’ attack and the Panthers were able to slosh their way to a 20-7 victory.
“They just wanted it more than we did,” Manteca coach Eddie Lopez said. “The bottom line is they played harder and better than we did.”
Kevin Cunningham gave the Cowboys a 7-6 lead late in the third quarter on a 16-yard touchdown scamper followed by an off-tackle plunge for the extra-point.
Rene Delgado recovered a fumble for Manteca. L.J. Alofaituli led the Cowboys with five tackles and Donicio Samoy added four.
Junior Varsity
Manteca Cowboys 6, Modesto Raiders 0
Sometimes, a game comes down to poise and composure. On Saturday, the Cowboys had those qualities and the Raiders did not. Manteca Cowboys 6, Modesto Raiders 0
Modesto – undefeated and unscored upon coming into the game – were picking up 5 to 10 yards a carry late in the contest and had first and goal to go from the Manteca 2-yard line with 2:01 left in the fourth quarter when the wheels came off the Raiders wagon.
Three illegal procedure penalties moved the ball to the 17 where Seuseu Alofaituli and Joseph Macias crashed off of their blocks and leveled the Modesto ball carrier, forcing a fumble for teammate Alejandro Loaiza to recover and slam the door on Modesto.
In the second quarter following a drive highlighted by a 24-yard pass from Macias (five completions, 90 yards) to Marcus Panelo (six carries, 52 yards) and a 23-yard run by Panelo, Anthony Ochoa (12 carries, 67 yards) bulled the ball from the 1 for the only points that would be scored in the game.
Macias (interception, fumble recovery) made nine tackles, Ochoa (forced fumble) eight, Jereicho Taamu (three forced fumbles), Panelo (two forced fumbles) and Loaiza six apiece, Gabriel Francisco (two fumble recoveries) and Parker Caston five each and four apiece for Alofaituli (forced fumble, fumble recovery), Steven Jasper (fumble recovery), Joshua Faia, Jesse Ochoa, Baily Simons and Angel Sena.
“At the end of this game I was just speechless,” Manteca coach Paul Johnson said. “We came into this season with all new kids and only one that was in the starting lineup from the previous years.
“They had to learn my system, what they were capable of doing and how to work together. I am so proud of these young men. They worked hard and now they are champions and no one can take that from them.”
Starts
Manteca Cowboys 18, Central Valley Panthers 12 (2 OT)
In the second overtime, Tony Rosillo got the ball down inside the Panthers 1-yard line where Presley DeMello bulled the ball in on fourth down for the win over previously undefeated Central Valley. Manteca Cowboys 18, Central Valley Panthers 12 (2 OT)
DeMello (12 carries, 96 yards) finished with two touchdowns and Rosillo (13 carries, 67 yards) one. Rosillo was recognized by the league for his outstanding season: 1514 yards on 147 carries, 22 touchdowns, 10 extra points, six games over 100 yards rushing, two games over 200 yards. He had three touchdowns in a game with 279 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns in another game.
Presley DeMello was in on 15 tackles for Manteca. Zach Taamu added 11 stops, 82 Matt Dunham nine, Logan Harries and Adam Sena eight each and Kimoni Stanley and Nicco Cedolini four apiece.
