Modesto shows off big-play potential in win over Johansen in season opener
It took more than 15 minutes of game time for Modesto’s quarterback-receiver duo of Eli McCabe and Heston Blom to connect Friday night, but as soon as McCabe hit his receiver, the Panthers found their footing.
In a game that started slowly and had a combination of six fumbles, the Panthers’ 41-24 win over Johansen looked every bit like a season opener.
Through the chaos and mistakes of the game, the connection between McCabe and Blom was evident. It’s been something the seniors have perfected for 10 years now, since their days on the Central Saints youth team.
“We’d always see Modesto High football and we were like, ‘We’re gonna play there, that’s where we’re gonna be,’ ” Blom said. “To come out senior year … we’re gonna keep supporting each other and believing in each other. We both know we’re going to get the job done when it needs to be done.”
The Panthers didn’t have many problems scoring in the win at Modesto Junior College, but when a drive stalled, McCabe looked for his favorite target since they were 7-year-olds.
The connection worked then, it worked when they were called up to varsity sophomore year, and it worked against Johansen.
“Our chemistry is great,” McCabe said. “I know when he’s gonna break, I know when he’s gonna get off the ball. He knows when I’m throwing the ball and I know when he wants the ball.
“Once we connect, I can spread the ball around because they’re gonna start doubling him.”
Modesto head coach Dylan Miller speaks highly of his two veterans, and for good reason.
McCabe completed 16 of 28 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and ran for one score Friday night. Blom caught nine passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. You can feel a shift in energy when they get going.
“That chemistry shows up on the field often,” Miller said. “That’s a special quarterback and receiver that know each other well. When in doubt we can look to that connection and usually good plays follow.”
Trailing 8-0, McCabe hit Blom on two consecutive pass plays. First, a 13-yard connection to set up a 12-yard touchdown in the red zone. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Garrett Bidwell returned a punt for a 35-yard touchdown and the Panthers were off and running. They scored 28 straight points en route to victory.
While McCabe has been locked in at quarterback for most of his career, Blom started his youth career at tight end. He wasn’t the old school blocking tight end, though. He was running routes and catching passes from the lanky quarterback. When high school came, Blom made the switch to receiver. The chemistry with McCabe made the transition smooth.
“Once we got to high school, it just kept building,” Blom said. “I got moved to receiver and the confidence (from McCabe) was still there no matter what. He could trust me with any pass he’s throwing near me, and I trust him to get me the ball.”
Miller’s post-game speech was about not being satisfied with just being 1-0. He says this year’s team goes into games expecting to learn from the good and the bad. That’s something that hasn’t always been the norm at Modesto High.
The Panthers play Beyer next week; Johansen travels to Gustine.
“I love this team, this is a different team right here,” Blom said. “Everybody wants to come to play every day. It’s great to have this energy at Modesto High … sending a great message to everyone else that there’s gonna be something coming up in the future years.”
This story was originally published August 20, 2022 at 7:27 AM.
