Ninety years ago, on September 4, 1927, the game between the Manteca Maulers and the Gustine Athletics could be called the “Comedy of Errors”. Just at a time when the Maulers needed to play real ball, error after error was made, totaling 10 in all before the contest was ended. When the game ended, the score stood 20 to 5 in favor of the visitors, which was more a Stockton team than Gustine. It was said that only three of the regular Gustine players were in the lineup, the rest being recruited from various other teams throughout central California.

In other sports stories

from the Bulletin files:

10 years ago: September 12, 2007 – The defending league champion Sierra High soccer team had three different goal scorers as they downed visiting Ceres High 3-1on Tuesday. Mario Cadena, Brian Gomez and Victor Sanchez all netted a goal for the Timberwolves (2-5-2 overall).

The Manteca High soccer team came from behind to tie host Central Valley High 2-2 in Ceres on Tuesday. Jesus Perez and Kolby Murphy had goals for the Buffaloes, now 1-2-2 on the young season.

Led by Megan Spinks, the visiting East Union High volleyball team beat Turlock Christian High 25-15, 24-26, 25-17, 25-22 Tuesday night. Spinks finished the contest with 25 sets, five assists, five digs, seven blocks, 13 hits, seven kills and six aces. Kim Brooks added 17 service points, 16 sets, eight assists, six hits and three kills for Coach Eryn Bowers’ Lancers.

Tuesday was just another day at the office for the East Union High golf team as the Lancers breezed past Oakdale High 223-298 at the Manteca Park course. Krysta Clark medaled the round with a 6-over-par 43.

20 years ago: September 10, 1997 – The East Union High volleyball team remained undefeated by downing Hughson High on the road Tuesday 15-5, 15-8, 9-15, 15-7. Carey Corfiatis led the Lady Lancers with eight kills and three blocks.

Serving well throughout the match, Coach Tevani Liotard’s Sierra High volleyball team defeated Stagg High 15-1, 15-11, 15-5 Tuesday evening. Jennifer Miller opened the third game for the Lady T’wolves with nine straight serves and her team credited her for the win.

The Sierra High tennis team defeated visiting Manteca High 10-5 on Thursday. Singles player Valerie Mercier and the doubles teams of Candee Green-Kelly Valenzuela and Mellissa Mendoza-Sam Brocchini were the big winners for the T’wolves.

Robert Miller scored all three Manteca High touchdowns and ground out 196 yards on 28 carries before a crowd of 1,100 fans as the Buffaloes stunned visiting Johansen High 21-7 in Friday night’s season opener at Guss Schmiedt Field. The Buffs ran up 307 yards of total offense as the 5-11, 195-pound Miller scored on runs of 48, five and four yards. Jorge Cedano added the extra points.

East Union High raised a few eyebrows across the rest of the VOL as the Lancers opened the football season with a 34-7 drubbing of Beyer High Friday night at the EU stadium. Led by junior quarterback J. T. Hardcastle’s throwing and the running of sophomore tailback Marcus Strickland, Coach Jim Brown’s Lancers dominated in all facets of the game. Strickland scored on runs of 70 and three yards, Dimitri Williams caught scoring passes of 66 and 13 yards from Hardcastle and Kevin Triplett snared a 13-yard TD toss from Hardcastle to account for the touchdowns. Hardcastle passed for 195 yards, and kicked a 23-yard field goal and a conversion to lead the EU win. Strickland was the leading EU rusher with 198 yards on nine carries.

30 years ago: September 9. 1987 – Coach Jon Olson’s East Union High volleyball team easily disposed of defending Golden Valley League champ Los Banos High 15-1, 15-7 in the opening round of the eighth annual Ripon All-Conference Volleyball Tournament Wednesday at the Ripon High gym. Carey Pulliam and Sheree McKenzie combined for five service aces to get the Lady Lancers rolling.

Manteca High’s cross-country team finished second at the 12-team Rockville Invitational on Wednesday. Robert Burnett finished third with a time of 16:01 over the three-mile course at Rockville Park near Fairfield.  Only three girls ran for MHS, with Carmen Perez winning the frosh-soph competition at 13:01 for 1.85 miles.

East Union High didn’t have a full team at the 12-team Edison Invitational on Wednesday, but Mike Langdon and Jeff Franz finished in the top 20 in the junior boys’ division. Langdon ran 17:32 for three miles, taking twelfth overall.

Manteca High’s volleyball squad pulled out a gut-wrenching four-game victory over visiting Turlock High Thursday at Winter Gym. Jennifer Miller and Becky McCall, MHS’s two front-line girls, came through down the stretch and Shelly Spence served out the final four points for a 15-11, 10-15, 15-11, 14-16, 15-10 non-league victory.

Despite falling short against visiting Livingston High, East Union High’s inexperienced girls’ tennis team showed signs of competitiveness in falling 8.5-6.5. Lynn Fowler and Lisa Bungcayao won two singles matches each for Coach Carl Bosque. Fowler and Bungcayao are both seniors.

With East Union High trailing by a point and five minutes remaining, quarterback Robert Randall tossed a 65-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Benedetti as EU rallied to drop Beyer High 21-14 in the season football opener at Modesto Junior College. Randall also carried the ball six times for 68 yards, including scoring runs of seven and 24 yards. Alex Landeros was the leading Lancer rusher with 116 yards on 18 carries.

70 years ago: September 11, 1947 – Manteca High’s first line practice was held last Friday night. Play was a bit sloppy and line timing was off, but many newcomers show promise. Jim Watson, a guard with no previous experience, drew attention for his fine defensive work. John Vierra, a hard-charging end, broke up plays before they could develop. Wes Major, a boy with plenty of talent and a desire to run, was the only backfield runner who could consistently gain.