Vega breaks 1,000-yard mark in leading the Spartans over Modesto

MODESTO -- Sooner or later, Rey Vega was going to break the 1,000-yard barrier for the season.

But to do it in a resounding victory made the moment all the sweeter for the talented Davis High junior.

Vega, who entered Thursday night with 970 yards, slashed through Modesto for 230 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries as the Spartans notched their second Modesto Metro Conference win with a 34-17 victory over the Panthers at Downey High.

“It means a lot to get the win,” Vega said. “We work really hard at practice every day. I knew I’d get to 1,000, with only 30 yards left, and I just came out and gave it all I had, all day.”

Vega scored on runs of 2, 16, 72, 60 and 33 as Davis improved to 2-6 overall and 2-2 in the MMC. Modesto, which was coming off three straight last-minute losses, fell to 1-6, 0-3.

The play that broke the backs of the Panthers came not near the end of the game but in the waning moments of the first half.

Davis, holding a 14-10 lead, had the ball on its own 28 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half. The Spartans called timeout while facing a third down, risking giving the ball back to Modesto if their play didn’t work.

They took a huge gamble with the play call, as quarterback Markell Perkins ran an option to the right side. As he was hit, Perkins made a blind flip to Vega, who bobbled the ball before embarking on a zig-zag touchdown run, during which he broke at least four tackles.

“We finally figured out our weapons and we came out to use them all to our advantage,” Vega said.

Davis’ halftime lead was remarkable only because it built the margin without relying completely on Vega. He carried eight times in the first half (for 110 yards,) leaving him with legs fresh enough to ice the game with 120 yards on 10 second-half carries.

“I tried to mix it up because the teams are starting to focus on Rey, and I think our guys are jelling right now,” said Davis coach Chris Cloward.

Facing the second-half deficit, the Panthers took to the air with some success. Quarterback Iann Miller completed 18 of 28 passes for 252 yards, including touchdown passes covering 12 yards to Julian Gallo and 11 yards to Nelson Morataya.

But the Panthers committed three turnovers and failed to score two other times within the red zone.

“Tonight was a great MMC battle,” Cloward said. “Both these schools have great football traditions.”

Bee staff writer Brian VanderBeek can be reached at bvanderbeek@modbee.com or (209) 578-2300. Follow him at twitter.com/modestobeek.