MODESTO – Enochs High coach Tracey Traub was braced for the worst as the long 2023 season ended.
Across the field stood heavily favored Turlock, which would win 55-14. But what especially bothered Traub were the Eagles not in uniform.
Fourteen players, 10 of them starters, were in street clothes, sidelined with injuries. The Eagles saw three quarterbacks suffer serious injuries last fall, and their 3-7 season almost seemed preordained.
One year later, Enochs appears determined to replace the disappointment of 2023 with the promise of 2024. They opened the season Friday night with a 42-15 victory over Beyer but, more important, the Eagles are riding the wind with better health and a more upbeat attitude.
“We’ll be a lot better. The team chemistry is better,” senior quarterback Johnny Staggs said. “This team wants it more. By week five last year, we thought it was over.”
Staggs, one of six seniors who were the special guests at the season’s first Modesto Quarterback Club meeting Monday, affirmed his team’s improvement by throwing touchdowns to four different receivers. Eric Myles, a quick running back, rushed for two touchdowns and caught a third.
Traub said the four passing touchdowns and Anthony Brown’s eight catches tied school records, and the scoring pass from Staggs to Brennan Whitten Jr. covered a school-record 92 yards. Matthew Bercham’s 2½ sacks helpedt he defense.
The win was the sixth straight over Beyer and allowed the Eagles to retain the Sylvan Trophy. Enochs will try for a 2-0 start Friday at Johansen against Ripon. The Eagles have not qualified for the postseason since 2021, Traub’s first season as coach.
“We are dynamic on offense,” he said.
NOTES—Downey’s 34-28 win at Lincoln, the Knights’ fourth straight victory over the Trojans, was decided by two plays, one on defense and one on special teams. Downey took the lead to stay in the first half when Noah Sakuskie blocked a punt and Ethan Woodmansee returned it for a TD. Then, after Lincoln rallied for back-to-back fourth-quarter touchdowns and was poised to score the game-winner, the Downey defense stopped a 4th-and-short. Francisco Diaz tipped a pass and sophomore Elias Haynes knocked it to the ground. The Knights also held Fresno State commit Jordin Thomas to under 100 yards. …
Central Catholic prepares for the 34th Holy Bowl Friday night against St. Mary’s at Patton Field. The Raiders overcame a slow start and rallied to a 28-21 win at Pleasant Valley of Chico. The game’s finish was wild. Quarterback Kayden McHenry appeared to score the clinching touchdown, but Pleasant Valley returned the kickoff for a TD. The Raiders finally exhaled after they recovered an onside kick in the game’s closing seconds. Central Catholic is ranked ninth in the section according to MaxPreps but will be an underdog against the Rams, who are also 1-0 after a win over Bishop Manogue (Nev.). …
Grace Davis started fast with a noteworthy 19-14 win over Hilmar. Sophomore Caleb Zaragoza made his varsity debut by throwing three touchdown passes, and Miguel Olvera Deanda clinched the win with a late interception. The Spartans meet Sierra of Manteca at Modesto Junior College Stadium. … Gregori’s Alton Williams rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns during the Jaguars’ 47-12 win over Buhach Colony. Gregori will welcome Merced on Thursday night. … Johansen rushed for 440 yards, featuring 201 yards and four TDs by Kean Saing, to blank Modesto 37-0. …
Big Valley Christian stopped Denair inside the 20 yard line to preserve a 36-30 win over Denair. Five different players scored for the Lions, who travel to Waterford this week … Modesto Christian, under new coach Michael McFadden, opens the season Friday night at home against the River Islands Riptide.
QB CLUB—Retired Stanislaus County Judge Jack Griffin, whose father John was one of the founders of the quarterback club in 1930, attended Monday. The weekly meeting remains the largest regular-season gathering of coaches in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
All football fans are invited to the lunch meetings at the Denny’s on McHenry Avenue near Doctors Medical Center. The cost is $15. Because of Labor Day Weekend, next week’s meeting will be held Tuesday at noon. The Modesto High Panthers will be the special guests.
THIS WEEK—St. Mary’s at Central Catholic, Galena at Oakdale, Patterson at California, Grace Davis at Sierra, Mountain House at Lathrop, East Union at Kimball, Elk Grove at Downey, Turlock at Tracy, Merced at Gregori (Thur.), Ripon at Enochs (at Johansen), Cosumnes Oaks at Pitman, Bear Creek at Modesto (Thur. at Downey), Golden Valley at Escalon, Livingston at Sonora, Hughson at Central Valley, Los Banos at Hilmar, Johansen at Orestimba, River Islands at Modesto Christian, Atwater at McNair, Buhach Colony at Bullard, West at Beyer (at Gregori), Delhi at Ceres (Thur.), Chavez at Pacheco, Big Valley Christian at Waterford, Summerville at Denair, Mariposa County at Minarets (Thur.), Liberty Ranch at Linden, Los Altos at Calaveras, Riverbank at Burton (Sat., 1 p.m.), Bret Harte at Franklin, Amador at Pierce
