Week 4 Prep football roundup: Los Banos defense comes up big; Enochs wins first
Los Banos 42, Ceres 0 in Los Banos – All the talk about the Los Banos football team entering the season revolved around the offense.
And for good reason.
The Tigers returned most of their pertinent starters, including reigning Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Adam Herrera. The attention the unit draws has allowed an unproven defense to quietly become one of Merced County’s best through the first five weeks of the season.
Los Banos’ defense was at it again Friday night, recording four sacks and intercepting Ceres quarterback Chris Lubinsky three times en route to its second shutout in three weeks. The offense took advantage of the short fields, and the Tigers began their WAC title defense with a victory over the Bulldogs.
The Los Banos (4-1, 1-0 WAC) stars shined in the victory. Herrera (5 of 11 passing for 120 yards) rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two. David Walker had a 16-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and returned an interception 56 yards for a score in the second. Daniel Fernandez had a team-high 95 rushing yards and a score.
After surrendering 42 points in a season-opening loss to Madera, Los Banos’ defense has allowed only 13 total points in its last four games.
Enochs 34, Davis 21 at Gregori H.S. – The Eagles ended a seven-game losing streak dating to last season. Enochs’ Jamal Prince carried the ball 20 times for 169 yards, and quarterback Travis Graham completed 8 of 11 passes for 167 yards and two scores. Davis suffered its third consecutive loss but scored for the first time since Sept. 4.
Modesto 42, Johansen 0 at Johansen H.S. – Kendall McNair scored three touchdowns for the Panthers and was the team’s leading rusher with 47 yards. Quarterback Max McCabe completed 8 of 15 passes for 99 yards. The Vikings have lost 24 consecutive games.
Turlock 27, Tracy 0 in Tracy – Turlock lost twice to Tracy last season, falling 43-41 in the regular season and 21-19 in a season-ending playoff loss. The Bulldogs exacted revenge against the Bulldogs. Turlock scored 14 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second, then engaged in a defensive battle the rest of the way. Brandon Booz led Turlock on the ground with 85 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Peyton Dunseth threw for two TDs, hitting Dustin Grein and Mustafa Noel-Johnson.
Hughson 35, Liberty Ranch 0 in Hughson – The Huskies improved to 5-0 as their defense held Liberty Ranch to 65 yards rushing and 77 passing for a homecoming victory. Hughson has a bye this week before visiting rival Escalon.
Vanden 34, Modesto Christian 28 in Fairfield – The Crusaders fell to 0-4 despite a big game from quarterback Bransen Reynolds, who completed 9 of 18 attempts for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Chris Brown was held to 52 yards on nine carries. Wide receiver Josthin Dawkins caught four passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, one an 80-yard connection.
Stone Ridge Christian 37, Big Valley Christian 0 at Big Valley Christian – The Knights’ march toward a second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII title is starting to pick up steam. Shane Casillas rushed for three touchdowns, Mark Hooker recorded 2 1/2 sacks, and the Stone Ridge defense recorded its third straight shutout to open Central California Athletic Alliance play with a rout.
Mariposa 48, Waterford 6 in Waterford – The Wildcats had no answer for Mariposa’s Josh Land, who ran for touchdowns of 56, 55, 23 and 50 yards as the Grizzlies (2-1, 1-0 Southern League) rolled Waterford.
Denair 20, Delhi 14 in Delhi – The Coyotes (2-2, 1-0 SL) held the high-flying Delhi (3-1, 0-1) offense in check, handing their rival its first loss of the season.
Golden Valley 30, Chavez 26 in Merced – Cornerback Kris Lemas intercepted a fluttering pass by Keith Doser with 1:20 left to preserve the Cougars’ homecoming victory and give them their first three-game winning streak since recording four consecutive victories in 2010.
Running back Rudy Aramburu rushed for 139 yards and two TDs on 20 carries, his third straight 100-yard outing since taking over as the starter for injured Isaiah Montanez (dislocated finger). Aramburu had touchdown runs of 16 and five yards.
Hilmar 47, Pacific Grove 8 in Hilmar – The Yellowjackets completed their nonleague schedule with an impressive victory. After a bye week, Hilmar (3-2) will open the Trans-Valley League season against preseason favorite Ripon on Oct. 9. Daniel Texeira rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Josh Jennings rushed for 115 yards and a TD as Hilmar routed the Breakers (3-1).
Gustine 27, Le Grand 0 in Gustine – The Redskins expected to be in the Southern League title race this season and showed why against six-time champion Le Grand. Brandon LaBry led the way, rushing for 273 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries for the Redskins (4-0, 1-0 SL), who beat Le Grand for the first time since 2003. The bright spot for Le Grand (0-4, 0-1) was running back Carlos Iniguez, who rushed for 120 yards on 19 carries.
El Capitan 57, Livingston 12 in Livingston – The Gauchos earned their first WAC victory in emphatic fashion. El Cap turned in arguably its best quarter in program history, riding a 29-point outburst after the break. Quarterback Chase Whitaker threw for 273 yards and five touchdowns, and Josh Stewart carried the ball nine times for 169 yards. Livingston’s Eddie Avila had 162 yards on 31 attempts.
Calaveras 36, Bret Harte 8 in San Andreas – The Redskins opened Mother Lode League play with an impressive win over the Bullfrogs and built momentum for next week’s showdown with defending conference champion Sonora, a 28-26 overtime winner over Argonaut. Senior quarterback Dylan Byrd completed 7 of 9 passes for 173 yards and two TDs. Byrd ran for another score on a one-yard keeper.
Ripon 28, Sutter 3 in Ripon – The Indians snapped a three-game losing streak with a mild upset of the Huskies. After a bye this week, Ripon will open TVL play at resurgent Hilmar.
This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 8:13 PM with the headline "Week 4 Prep football roundup: Los Banos defense comes up big; Enochs wins first."