Turlock’s defense dominates in win over longtime rival Modesto

Turlock High’s defense spent a good deal of time in Modesto’s backfield Friday night, leading the Bulldogs to a 38-6 victory over their longtime rival at Chuck Hughes Stadium.

With the victory, Turlock High (2-2) gets back to .500 after starting the year with a pair of losses, while Modesto (3-1) loses for the first time this season.

The Bulldogs now lead the series 74-39-4.

All told, Modesto ran 51 plays from scrimmage and 15 of those went for negative yardage, while four more resulted in turnovers.

“We just work on it all week … playing hot off the ball and getting after the quarterback,” said Turlock coach James Peterson. “It was our goal this week and our game plan paid off.”

Turlock outgained Modesto 254-136, but truly, it wasn’t even that close.

The Bulldogs’ ability to roll up yardage was somewhat limited by short fields – the average starting position on their five scoring drives was their own 46 – and their last two possessions of the night were handled by the second unit, producing a total of minus-4 yards.

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Conversely, the Panthers’ last three drives of the contest, which came after they fell behind 38-0, produced 85 yards, 34 more than their previous eight drives combined.

The final quarter was played under a running clock.

“Our young kids found out what being physical, and getting off and playing football is all about tonight,” said Modesto head coach Donnie Wallace. “This was going to be a test for our two sophomores on the left side and our juniors. This was the first time they’re seeing a team like this.”

The Bulldogs struck first with a 44-yard field goal by Dallin Tilby, then got a 28-yard TD scamper by quarterback Danny Velasquez (12 carries, 100 yards) and pair of touchdowns from Mark Flores (15-91) to make it 24-0 at halftime.

A 15-yard interception return by Mustafa Noel-Johnson, who hauled in a deflected pass by Flores, made it 31-0 early in the third quarter, and 2-yard keeper by Velasquez with 7:39 remaining in the third closed out the Bulldogs’ scoring.

“Looking at film, they’re a fast team, they’re not a big team, and that’s the difference,” said Velasquez, the co-MVP of the Central California Conference last season. “I think playing those big powerhouses like Clovis and Freedom definitely helped us in how we handle the front.”

Turlock lost 41-6 on the road in the season-opener against Freedom, ranked No. 54 in the state by MaxPreps, then fell 34-28 in overtime to a Clovis team ranked among the state’s Top 50 by MaxPreps and Cal-Hi Sports.

Modesto threatened to score late in the third quarter when backup quarterback R.J. Berumen – he entered late in the first half when starter Norvale Howard sprained his right ankle – drove the team inside Turlock’s 10, only to have Antonio Ruiz Suarez come through with the Bulldogs’ third interception of the game (Dustin Grein had the other), giving them possession on their own 2.

Six plays later, however, Turlock fumbled and Modesto recovered on the Bulldogs’ 24, but again missed an opportunity score when kicker Annika Blom missed a 25-yard field goal attempt.

That seemed like Modesto’s last chance to score, but with 5:30 to play, the center snap sailed over the head of Dominic Nunes (in for Velasquez) and the ball was scooped up by Tyrieck Bland, who raced in from 17 yards to make it 38-6.

Turlock opens CCC play Sept. 23 at home against Buhach Colony, while the Panthers open Modesto Metro Conference action at Johansen.

This story was originally published September 16, 2016 at 11:47 PM with the headline "Turlock’s defense dominates in win over longtime rival Modesto."