Central Valley’s freshman football team overcame a shaky start en route to pulling away for a 30-0 win over Johansen in Western Athletic Conference play on Thursday in Modesto.
The undefeated Hawks outscored the Vikings 22-0 during the second half.
“We weren’t in panic mode,” head coach Javier Fregoso said. “We just had to reassess and regroup. We made some adjustments on our blocking scheme and picked up the intensity.”
Central Valley improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the WAC standings.
Johansen dropped to 2-5 and 1-4.
The Hawks are closing in on an undefeated season.
“This freshmen group is solid,” Fregoso said. “They remind me of the 2016 varsity team when they were freshmen. They work hard. They challenge each other. They just want to play football.”
Central Valley quarterback Julian Perez completed 2 of 2 passes for 30 yards and one touchdown.
Diego Quintanilla hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass and scampered 36 yards for a score.
Ryder Davis had a 16-yard touchdown run.
Sergio Torres-Zuniga rushed for 95 yards.
Jeremiah Gates added 65 rushing yards.
Julian Zavala led the Hawks’ defense as he recovered a fumble for a touchdown and intercepted one pass.
Victor Altamirano collected six tackles.
Torres-Zuniga and Avaian Sanchez both made four tackles.
Central Valley led 8-0 at halftime.
The Hawks appeared on their way to extending their lead to 14 points late in the second quarter before losing a fumble at the Vikings’ 11-yard line.
“We just didn’t play up to our potential in the first half,” Fregoso said. “The kids expected to steamroll them. They were too loose and not locked in.”
Central Valley has outscored its eight opponents, 278-14, this season.
The Hawks have posted six shutouts.
Central Valley has allowed just two touchdowns.
“Our starting defense hasn’t given up any points,” Fregoso said.
Central Valley will face second-place Lathrop (4-1) on the road this Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Hawks will be guaranteed at least a share of the WAC title if they return home with a victory.
“We got a great group of kids,” Fregoso said. “Their hard work is paying off.”
Spartans 12, Bulldogs 6
Ceres High’s freshman football team still had a chance to defeat Western Athletic Conference-rival Grace Davis last week despite suffering a major blow early in the game.
Standout running back/linebacker/safety Jose Ortiz had to be taken to the hospital after exiting the contest with a broken collarbone following the second play of the game.
“They (paramedics) were cutting his jersey on the sidelines,” head coach Antone Lopez said. “His parents came down and were with him. That’s when I knew it was bad. The whole team was in shock. He’s our leader. He gives everybody else confidence.”
The Bulldogs’ potential, winning possession ended with a turnover in Spartan territory. Grace Davis earned a hard-fought 12-6 victory while battling Ceres High on Thursday at CUSD Stadium.
Down by one score, Bulldog quarterback Alijah Jackson’s desperation throw on third and long was intercepted inside the Spartans’ 30-yard line with less than two minutes to play.
“The momentum had shifted,” Lopez said. “We just ran out of time. We were right there. We could have won the game. If we pulled it out, it would have been epic.”
Jackson’s 75-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Marquez cut the deficit to six points in the third quarter.
“We went into the game thinking we had a good chance to win,” Lopez said. “When Ortiz went down, that changed everything. It made us pass a little more.”
“We have good players,” he added. “They stepped up.”
Ceres High trailed 6-0 at halftime.
Each team scored once after intermission.
“We underestimated Davis’ toughness,” Lopez said. “They beat us up a little bit.”
Jackson completed 4 of 10 passes for 125 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions during the game.
Marquez had a 75-yard TD catch.
David Nieto rushed for 14 yards while filling in for Ortiz.
Ceres High’s defense was led by Leonidas Saenz, Michael King and Jesus Alejandro.
The Bulldogs dropped to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the WAC standings.
The Spartans improved to 2-3 in conference play.
Ceres High has won two of its last four games.
The Bulldogs opened the season with four straight losses. Ceres High was shut out three times.
“We’re playing better in general,” Lopez said.
The Bulldogs’ final two opponents are Beyer and crosstown-rival Central Valley.
Ceres High will play host to Beyer this Thursday at 6 p.m.
“We’re going to try to finish the season strong,” Lopez said.
