Enochs wins, controls its own playoff destiny

The Enochs High football team vaulted back into playoff contention with its 45-13 victory over Downey on Friday night.

The Eagles scored the game's first 28 points and were led by running back Nate Thomas' 237 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Receiver Steven Guzman chipped in by catching eight passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Enochs (4-4, 2-1) is now tied with Downey (4-4, 2-1) for second place in the MMC, one game behind Johansen (5-3, 3-0). Should the Eagles win their final two games, against Davis and Modesto, they would go to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs regardless of what else happens.

Guzman opened the scoring when he caught a 75-yard receiver-option pass from Kolton Pico for a touchdown. Thomas made it 14-0 on a 21-yard run late in the first quarter.

Guzman and Thomas found the end zone in the second quarter as well. Guzman caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Boomer Green, and Thomas added two more scoring runs as Enochs built a 33-7 halftime lead.

Green scored in the fourth quarter on a short run, while J.T. Boles added an 11-yard fumble return for a score.

Sean Williams scored on a touchdown run for Downey, and Nikko Nakai added a 22-yard touchdown reception from Jason Lee in the fourth quarter.

TURLOCK 35, CORDOVA 14, at Rancho Cordova -- Colton Pifer caught a 59-yard touchdown pass and had two interceptions as the Bulldogs (7-1) rallied from a halftime tie to defeat the Lancers (2-6).

"The conditions were pretty cold and wet," Turlock coach Lance Cornell said. "It wasn't pretty out there."

Turlock took a 7-0 lead on quarterback Kevin Kramer's 19-yard run in the first quarter. After Cordova tied it up, Jamie Rodriguez and Derek Woods had short touchdown runs as the Bulldogs retook the lead.

Turlock put it away in the fourth quarter on Pifer's touchdown catch from Kramer and Caleb Maldonado's 14-yard run.

Turlock plays Merced in a key Central California Conference matchup at Joe Debely Stadium on Friday. The Bears are in first place in the CCC at 4-0, while Turlock is a game back.

"It's a huge game," Cornell said. "Merced's a real tough opponent; they're so good. But we've overcome a lot this year. We lost our quarterback (Kevin Crivelli) for the year and (starting running back) Tharon Gallegos, too. Our kids have really overcome."

Cornell said Gallegos, who sprained his ankle in a 7-0 win over Pitman in Week 6, may play Friday.

BIG VALLEY CHR. 45, BROOKSIDE CHR. 28, at Modesto -- Blake Sturdivan continues to run over his opponents.

Sturdivan rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns, including a 45-yarder where he broke several tackles, to help the Lions (7-0, 3-0 Harvest Christian League) defeat the Knights (3-5, 2-1 HCL).

Sturdivan also had a 2-point run and has 1,286 yards and leads the Stanislaus District with 158 points scored (24 touchdowns, seven 2-point conversions).

Bee staff contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Will DeBoard can be reached at wdeboard@modbee.com or 578-2300.