Prep football roundup: Davis, Central Valley spar in triple OT thriller
In a Stanislaus District instant classic, Davis took home its first Western Athletic Conference win in its homecoming league opener against Central Valley.
The Spartans were coming off a bye week where they had time to get healthy and adjust strategy ahead of the most important part of the season. It was a defensive struggle all game. Regulation ended in a 14-14 tie and both sides traded stops until the Spartans scored on the game’s final possession.
Going into Friday, Pitman coach Braden Plaa called the matchup against Atwater a measuring stick game. In a close contest, the two sides scored three total touchdowns in the final three minutes of the game.
In Trans-Valley League play, Hilmar picked up a win over Ripon Christian and Escalon fell to Sonora. In the Valley Oak League, Central Catholic broke away late from Patterson and Oakdale shut out Mountain House.
Hilmar 35, Ripon Christian 21: Hilmar jumped out to a 21-0 lead before Mason Tameling found Amos Cady for a seven-yard pass about midway through the third quarter. Hilmar advanced to 4-1 overall, 1-0 in TVL play and an impressive 3-0 at home this season. While also 4-1 overall and 3-0 at home, Ripon Christian starts league play 0-1.
Orestimba 41, Freedom 37: Giovanni Gudino threw for two touchdowns and 127 yards on seven-of-11 passing and Jose Cuevas (2), Traveyon Wright (1) and Michael Maier (1) added rushing touchdowns. Orestimba is 2-2 and takes on Sonora in its first TVL game next week.
Big Valley Christian 14, River Islands 6: Big Valley took home its first win of the season in its Mother Lode League opener. The Lions took a 14-0 lead at halftime and River Islands scored its only points with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Livingston 24, Ceres 21: In a WAC slugfest, Ceres took a 21-14 halftime lead. With the game tied at 21 late in the fourth quarter, Livingston’s Alexcito Avila drilled a game-winning 32-yard field goal as time expired for their first league win and first win overall.
Atwater 29, Pitman 26: Pitman and Atwater played in a back-and-forth affair all night Friday during their non-league showdown. Atwater took a 22-19 lead with 2:09 to play but Pitman answered in less than a minute, scoring with 1:18 on the clock. On their final drive of the game, the Falcons marched 90 yards in 1 minute, 8 seconds, scoring on a six yard touchdown pass to win.
Edison 48, Downey 40: Downey scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, staging a comeback that ultimately fell just short. The Knights finish non-league play 2-3 and host Gregori in their league opener Oct. 3.
Johansen 47, Beyer 7: Johansen scored a season-high 47 points against Beyer in its WAC opener, advancing to 2-2. The Vikings host Ceres next week while Beyer travels to Livingston.
Clovis West 54, Turlock 7: Turlock entered Friday’s matchup with one of the Central Section’s top teams with 10 injured players, including quarterback Scout Silva. The Bulldogs have a bye this week where they will try to get healthy before starting CCAL play.
Davis 20, Central Valley 14 (3OT): Davis picked up its first WAC win in a Stanislaus District Game of the Year candidate. Regulation ended in a 14-14 tie after a Davis receiver was pulled down at the six yard line as time expired. The Spartans missed a 28 yard field goal and the Hawks missed one shortly after to send it to double overtime. The two traded stops in double overtime and in the third overtime, Davis came away with an interception. Davis ended the game with a 10-yard touchdown, moving to 2-2 overall.
Central Catholic 35, Patterson 18: Central Catholic led Patterson 14-10 at halftime of the VOL opener between the Raiders and Tigers. After trading scores in the third quarter, Central Catholic took a 21-18 lead into the final frame. The Raiders held Patterson scoreless in the final quarter and added 14 points, taking their first VOL win and advancing to 2-3 overall.
Los Banos 34, Gregori 7: Gregori took a 7-0 lead after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but gave up 34 unanswered points to Los Banos in the Jaguars’ non-league finale. Gregori has a bye next week before traveling to Downey Oct. 3 for the CCAL opener.
Sonora 49, Escalon 14: Six different Wildcats scored one rushing touchdown as the TVL favorite Sonora ran away with a win in its league opener. Cash Byington recorded 10 tackles defensively, the Wildcats came away with two interceptions with one pick six.
Oakdale 48, Mountain House 0: Wes Burford (145 yards, 1 touchdown), Richard Flores (124 yards, 2 touchdowns), Anthony Navarro (99 yards, 1 touchdown), Chase Lopez (79 yards, 2 touchdowns) led the way for Oakdale in its Valley Oak League opener. Oakdale extends its win streak to four games after its season opening loss.
