Hilmar too much for Modesto's Enochs

MODESTO -- Hilmar High dialed down its finesse passing attack in the second half Thursday, switching to a fullhouse backfield to take control of a tight game.

"We used a power formation last year at Ripon and chewed 'em up," said Zack Giuliano, a linebacker who doubles as one of the two fullbacks in front of a deep tailback. "We just keep smashing away at their line."

Flexing its muscles, Hilmar scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from Enochs for a 32-18 upset — Enochs has 2,556 students, while Hilmar has 677.

Size didn't matter this night.

Hilmar's Andrew Olson (15 of 27, 211 yards, TD) had plenty of yards, but little success getting into the end zone until the 'Jackets began to muscle up.

The line, anchored by 6-foot, 245-pound right tackle Austin Almeida and center Anthony Diaz, took control early in the third quarter and never let up.

"We can play smash football, but we've got a passing game, too," noted Giuliano, who had the game's first TD on a 2-yard interception return. "I was going after the quarterback for a safety, then he threw it and hit me right here in the chest."

Hilmar struck twice in the third quarter to go up 25-18, Olson capping an 80-yard drive with a 3-yard run and Ryan White (122 yards rushing, 52 receiving) sweeping right for a 47-yard score.

Olson threw his TD late in the game to Jesse Burk, who did much of the work, catching it at the 14 and breaking two tackles for a 32-18 lead.

Hilmar had 165 yards in the first half, but the offense could not put it in the end zone. The Eagles' defensive front, particularly 6-foot-4 Justin Gilbert and Justin Vasquez, provided key plays to stop the 'Jackets.

Giuliano turned a gift into a TD, and had teammate John Brindeiro to thank for it. The 235-pound junior tackle was tossing quarterback Tyler Munoz like a rag doll in the end zone, and Munoz tried to throw the ball away to avoid a safety — but it went right to Giuliano.

After Hilmar was up 10-0, Enochs dominated with three second-quarter TDs.

Munoz scored on a 5-yard option keeper, then hit Justice Chambers (74 yards rushing, 42 receiving) on a crossing pattern on the next series. Chambers dashed to the sideline, then shed two defenders at the 10 for a 35-yard TD and a 12-10 lead.

The Eagles needed just one play to score their final TD.

Efrem Grimes (87 yards rushing) took a handoff from his 31 and burst up the middle, stepping out of a potential ankle tackle. He blew past the linebackers and, with defensive backs closing from both sides, found his extra gear and pulled away from them near midfield for the 18-10 lead.

The first half ended with a bizarre call in the end zone.

Andrew Olson tossed a nine-yard TD to bring Hilmar within 18-16, but just momentarily. As it lined up for the PAT, officials gathered in the end zone and ruled the receiver trapped the ball, nullifying the TD.

Olson misfired on a quick slant on third down and Kurtis Bettencourt's 26-yard field goal attempt hooked left.

Enochs had just 20 yards in the second half, as Munoz was repeatedly stuffed at the line on his option keepers.

"In the second half, I took the fullback, an outside linebacker took the QB and the DBs had the pitch man," Giuliano said. "If everyone does their job, we stop 'em."