MODESTO – The Grace Davis High Spartans and Central Catholic Raiders do not meet this season, but they do share something in common -- both were victimized by difficult road trips last week.
Begin with the fact that both lost. Grace Davis was beaten in heartbreaking fashion at Bear River of Grass Valley 37-32, while Central Catholic fell in Portland, Ore., to – wait for it-- Central Catholic 45-29.
What they dealt with wasn’t exactly “Planes, Trains and Automobiles," but their travails seemed bizarre at times.
The Grace Davis game kicked off about an hour late due to the Spartans’ issues with their bus. The game only continued that trend.
Running back Ezekiel Suarez enjoyed a spectacular night by gaining 304 yards and five touchdowns on only 17 carries. His fifth TD gave Grace Davis a 32-30 lead with 4:28 left. Bear River answered with the go-ahead TD, however, with only 24 seconds to go.
The Spartans (1-2) responded with a long kickoff return to the Bruins’ 35 yard line. As time expired, Omen Quelvog received a pass and was tackled at the 4.
“Then we had to get on the bus for a two-hour ride home,” Grace Davis coach Trevor Mew lamented at Monday’s Modesto Quarterback Club lunch-meeting. “We didn’t get back until 4 a.m.”
Central Catholic (1-2) can empathize. The Raiders left Wednesday for Portland, where it would meet its namesake, Oregon’s top-ranked team and the state’s reigning 6A champion.
“We practiced at Southern Oregon on the artificial turf,” Raiders assistant coach Myron Larson said. “It was 118 degrees on the turf.”
It didn’t get much easier. On one evening, a simple team dinner of hamburgers took three hours to prepare and serve.
Regardless, the visitors competed better than the final score.
The Raiders trailed only 25-21 early in the fourth period and were poised to take the lead, only to be stopped on downs inside the 5. The Oregonians promptly marched the length of the field and pulled away.
“I think we just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter,” Larson said.
Central Catholic was encouraged by quarterback Kayden McHenry who tossed two touchdown passes to sophomore tight end Kaiden McDonald. Joey Alcutt rushed for more than 100 yards and Wyatt Dragoo, CC’s tireless fullback-linebacker, also logged another gutsy start-to-finish performance.
The Raiders will welcome Bishop Manogue of Reno on Friday night at Patton Field. Manogue, which was beaten in Reno by CC last year, already owns a victory this season over St. Mary’s.
Meanwhile, Grace Davis will enjoy home sweet home for a well-timed bye.
BEYER – Beyer coach Mike Young brought six members of the Patriots as special guests of the QB club.
The Patriots (1-2) were blanked by El Capitan 34-0 last week, but they had not forgotten their memorable 26-20 win over West on Aug. 30.
The win snapped Beyer’s 32-game on-the-field losing streak. Running back Ely Lopez scored the winning touchdown that night and tasted victory for the first time since his junior varsity team won four games two years ago.
“We were very happy,” Lopez said in reference to the long-awaited victory. “We didn’t do anything special. I went to In-N-Out.”
“I brought these guys here. They are changing the culture,” Young said. “We hope to continue it after they’re gone.”
NOTES – Downey (3-0 ) is averaging nearly 34 points a game after its 48-34 win at Merced. The Bears rallied to tie 34-34 with 4:21 left, but the Knights took the lead to stay on Carson Lamb’s 46-yard scoring pass to Ethan Woodmansee. Downey then recovered Merced's kick-return fumble, and sophomore Elias Haynes added the clinching TD on a 25-yard run. Haynes fueled Downey’s fast start with his 27-yard pick-6 on the game’s third snap. Woodmansee totaled 174 yards and four touchdowns on only five receptions. Downey welcomes Amador Valley of Pleasanton to Chuck Hughes Stadium on Friday night. …
Enochs (2-1) bounced back from a tough loss to Ripon by beating Buhach Colony 49-13. Johnny Staggs threw for 316 yards and five touchdowns and teammate Eric Myles rushed for 115 yards and three TDs. The Eagles will be tested by unbeaten East Union on Friday night at Johansen. … Modesto Christian (0-2) is still looking for its first points after the Crusaders’ 44-0 loss to Berean Christian. MC will travel to Stone Ridge Christian, where Crusader coach Michael McFadden served as offensive coordinator a few years ago. The game already has been giving a billing: “The Battle of the Blade.”…
Modesto (1-2) was beaten by Sierra 62-48 though Lucky Dam rushed for 130 yards and threet ouchdowns. Israel Ceniceros also scored three TDs for the Panthers who travel to Central Valley…
Modesto Junior College opened its season with an impressive 44-17v ictory at Laney. Luke Weaver threw for three touchdowns, Lyon Colon rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns and Joey Stout added two touchdowns on a 50-yard reception and a blocked punt and return. The Pirates make their home debut Saturday at 1 p.m. against Santa Rosa.
GAMES THIS WEEK – Bishop Manogue at Central Catholic, Marin Catholic at Manteca, Vista del Lago at Oakdale, Vacaville at Patterson, Sierra at Sheldon, East Union at Enochs (at Johansen), Kimball at Mountain House, Amador Valley at Downey, Turlock at Folsom, Gregori at Livermore, Golden Valley at Pitman, Central Valley at Modesto (at Gregori), Hilmar at Atwater, Modesto Christian at Stone Ridge Christian (at Castle), Liberty (Madera) at Los Banos, Buhach Colony at Ceres, Johansen at Bear River, Yosemite at Gustine, Delhi at Gilroy (Thur.), Pajaro Valley at Denair, Sierra (Tollhouse) at Mariposa County, Center at Linden, Calaveras at Argonaut, Florin at Riverbank
