Turlock starts fast, dominates Lincoln to open D-I playoffs

Turlock High senior Danny Velasquez remembers how he felt as a sophomore playing varsity football. It wasn’t good.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” he admitted. “As a senior I feel I have an advantage now. Everything has slowed down.”

Velasquez, the hub of the Turlock wheel at quarterback, demonstrated why he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Central California Conference. He rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown and passed for two TDs during the Bulldogs’ relatively quick 42-7 dismissal of Lincoln of Stockton to open the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (9-2), winners of nine straight, scored on their first four possessions. They dictated terms on their first drive, a 74-yard 10-play march all on the ground. Velasquez faked a handoff and ripped 23 yards for the TD that set the CCC champions on their way. Officials wound the clock during the fourth quarter.

The only thing that could have toppled Turlock this night was complacency. Velasquez, mindful of his team’s emotional back-to-back wins over Merced and previously unbeaten Pitman, made sure there would be no letdown.

“I thought we were a little flat during pregame,” he said. “Me and Mustafa (teammate Mustafa Noel-Johnson) got ‘em going right before we came out of the (entry) smoke.”

By taking care of business, fifth-seeded Turlock advances to the second round next week at fourth-seeded Elk Grove. All signs indicate the Bulldogs are prepared for the test.

Their chances against the Thundering Herd are enhanced by kicker Dallin Tilby, whose deep kickoffs – three into the end zone – helped his team’s field position. He also drilled all six extra points, one after a Turlock personal foul for celebration.

Noel-Johnson, the Bulldogs’ 250-pound destroyer, is the CCC’s Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. He mauls opponents and virtually tilts the field toward him with his presence. He recorded a sack and, on fourth-and-goal as Lincoln nearly crept to within two touchdowns before halftime, joined teammates Nicolas Berry and Juan Lopez to stop Trojans quarterback Aaron Thomas for no gain at the three.

Noel-Johnson, who doubles as a tight end, also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Velasquez during the third quarter. Don’t ask him about his offense-defense preference. It’s no contest.

“I’m a defense guy all the way,” he said.

Turlock’s momentum, after beginning the season with a loss to North Coast Section powerhouse Freedom and an agonizing overtime loss to Clovis, has not stopped. The Bulldogs, who lost first-round games the last two years, ended that streak by gashing Lincoln (5-6) for 339 rushing yards.

“Defensively, we played lights out,” coach James Peterson said. “We still haven’t peaked. I still feel we can do some things better.”

Turlock’s early blitz featured two pretty misdirection plays for touchdowns by junior Mark Flores– a 66-yard draw and a 22-yard screen from Velasquez. Flores wasn’t touched on the draw as he sped through the Lincoln secondary. Dustin Grein finished the Bulldogs’ 21-point first quarter with a 6-yard run.

Turlock bothered Thomas, Lincoln’s dangerous run-pass threat, though the senior passed to Izaiah Celestine for a 69-yard catch-and-run touchdown during the second quarter. Thomas, chased toward the Lincoln sideline late in the third quarter, was injured and did not return.

Turlock’s Garrett Thompson greeted Quinton Gaines, Thomas’ replacement, with an interception and 32-yard return for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs’ thoughts turned toward Elk Grove not long after the final gun.

“We have to go there next week with confidence,” Noel-Johnson said. “Don’t be shy or scared. Be prepared and play our normal game.”

This story was originally published November 11, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Turlock starts fast, dominates Lincoln to open D-I playoffs."