The Lathrop Steelers took on a resilient Weston Ranch Falcons team and came out unscathed, bringing home their 10 consecutive victory in a 18-6 win.
Action was fast from the beginning, providing fans with a load of hard hitting action. Lucas Widmer got the Steelers off on the right foot, intercepting a Weston Ranch pass, setting up the Steelers’ first touchdown.
Arek Walker took the following snap in from five-yards out, giving Lathrop the lead. The teams would exchange possessions until the Lathrop defense put the Steelers up for good with a Little Kem fumble recovery gave Lathrop its final score.
The Steelers continued to rely on dominating defense, getting over 20 tackles and three sacks from twin brothers Ricardo and Felix Hernandez.
The Steelers will look to remain hot as the forge into the postseason.
Manteca Chargers 20, McNair Eagles 6
The Chargers scored early setting the tone in a 14-point win over the host McNair Eagles. The Chargers walked into the halftime intermission with a comfortable 20-0 lead and never looked back, holding McNair to a meaningless touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Victor Lopez pushed across the first score, rushing in from five-yards out. Jacob Webb scored on a quarterback keeper, while teammate Josh Thomas would tack on the final score hauling in a 20-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.
Miguel Gamez paced the team with seven tackles and teammate Frank Contreras added six. Thomas added three sacks for the Charger defense.
“It was a team effort the whole game,” head coach Glenn Johnson said. “I’m very proud of the entire team. They finally put it together on offense and defense.
Oakdale Stampede 22, Manteca Jaguars 19
Both teams came out the gates scoring, combining for 20 points in the first period, but the Stampede used a strong second quarter to pull away with a 22-19 win.
The Jaguars were able to keep Oakdale off of the scoreboard for the entire second half, but the damage had been done. Manteca chipped away with a late fourth quarter touchdown, but that would be as close as the team would come.
Manteca got a strong performance from Lechi Nkwocha who rushed 31 times for 277-yards. Nkwocha scored three TDs, and extra point conversion and completed a 30-yard pass to Manuel DeAvila.
Manteca would fight until the end, squandering a late-fourth quarter drive that would seal its fate.
“Even though we weren’t able to punch it in,” coach Justin Muschott said. “It was impressive to watch them put together the drive that they di.
“A few more seconds on the clock and I think we would have pulled it out.”
Tracy Buccaneers 16, Ripon Chiefs 0
The Chiefs outlasted the majority of the league, but their playoff dreams came to a hault with a 16-0 loss in Escalon Saturday. The Chiefs had no problem taking down the remainder of their schedule, but they were never able to solve the Buccaneers who beat Ripon for the second time on the season. The Chiefs’ two losses to Tracy would be their only setbacks on the season.
Nicolas Navarro and Dwight Jackson had their way with the Buccaneers defense, yet were unable to score a touchdown on Tracy. Nick Price helped lead the Ripon defense intercepting a pass in the finale.
Lathrop Steelers 36, Weston Ranch Falcons 0
It was all Lathrop in a blowout at Manteca High.
The Steelers junior varisty program rolled to victory behind the punishing running game of Kevin Rainey. Rainey led the team with over 200-yards rushing, while teammate Gerald Ray paced the defense with a 60-yard interception return for a score.
“We had a very good game,” coach Ray Carillo said. “Our defense and offense are both doing great, the special teams are outstanding, and with everyone working as a team we are looking pretty good on defending our Super Bowl trophy.”
Lathrop Steelers 37, H.J. Warriors 0
The Steelers cruised to victory over the visiting Hiram Johnson Warriors. Lathrop scored on the opening drive, as quarterback Jaime Ochoa hooked up with Ian King for a 45-yard touchdown pass. Jordan Doyle was the leading rusher, stacking up over 180-yards rushing and four TDs.
Lathrop Steelers 21, H.J. Warriors 18
DeVante Busnell had his way with the Warriors, slicing his way to 108 yards on the ground, including a touchdown. Deante Smith paced the defense, returning a fumble 50-yards for a touchdown. The Steelers have earnend a playoff berth with the win and will look to continue their season by knocking off their next opponent in National League action.
