MODESTO – The Central California Athletic League began in 2018, and two schools have dominated CCAL football since its inception – Downey and Turlock.
Pitman took home the big prize in ’18, but it’s been either the Knights or the Bulldogs from that point. Downey (7-0, 2-0), heading into another pivotal matchup at Turlock (4-3, 2-0) on Friday night, has found additional motivation from a year ago.
Simply, Turlock, 24, Downey 11, at Chuck Hughes Stadium.
“Everything we’ve done in the off-season, we’ve had Turlock in the back of our minds,” Downey coach Jeremy Plaa said during Monday’s lunch-meeting of the Modesto Quarterback Club. “Its been a year-long effort to get to Friday night.”
The matchup begins with the quarterbacks – promising Turlock freshman Scout Silva and Downey senior Carson Lamb.
Silva’s progress mirrors the team around him. He’s passed for 10 touchdowns against four interceptions, as Turlock has won three straight. The last two weeks, the Bulldogs strafed Gregori 35-0 and Pitman for their 11thstraight victory in the Harvest Bowl 66-6.
Lamb, bouncing back from an injury-slowed junior year, has shined since the opening kickoff. He’s completed 71 per cent of his passes for 2,167 yards, 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions. During last week’s 41-7 win over stubborn Modesto, he threw for 406 yards and four TDs.
“Carson is a leader who’s performed at a high level,” Plaa said. “He’s got a master’s degree in our offense. He understands everything about it.”
BIG VALLEY – Big Valley Christian’s 42-3 win over Riverbank carried special meaning. The Lions (5-2,3-1 Mother Lode) are eligible for the Sac-Joaquin Section D-VII playoffs, which would be their third trip to the postseason in the last six seasons. Six BVC players were honored at the quarterback club.
BVC, coached by Adam Lema, has drawn 55 of the school’s 93 males to the football program. The Lions have enjoyed their first season in the Mother Lode, though they’ll jump into the deep end Friday night at first-place Calaveras and the following week at home against Summerville.
A Stanislaus County Sheriffs helicopter flew in the game ball last week against Riverbank.
NOTES – Gregori (2-5,1-1) had lost five straight, and its 34-30 lead appeared tenuous as Enochs reached the Jaguars' 30-yard line with less than two minutes left Friday night. But senior quarterback/safety Emmanuel Vasquez turned in the play of the game, a one-handed interception at the Gregori 2 to preserve the Jaguars’ victory. The return of running back Alton Williams, who rushed for 135 yards and caught two touchdown passes, sparked Gregori. He’s been in and out of the lineup all season due to a shoulder injury, and coach Lamar Wallace hopes he’ll be available Friday night at home against Modesto. … Eric Myles carried for 275 yards for Enochs while quarterback Johnny Staggs rushed for 114 yards and threw a scoring pass for the Eagles (2-5, 0-2). Ansel Mello also helped Enochs by kicking a 42-yard field goal. The Eagles will celebrate Senior Night at Johansen against Pitman.…
Grace Davis coach Trevor Mew called the Spartan’s 28-8 winover Beyer their “most complete game.” Ezekiel Suarez rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown and sophomore quarterback Caleb Zaragoza passed fortwo touchdowns en route to the Spartans’ second straight win. Davis (4-3, 1-1 Western Athletic Conference) will welcome Ceres to Modesto Junior Stadium for Senior Night. …Central Catholic (4-3, 2-1 Valley Oak League) faces a major challenge Friday night at Oakdale. The Mustangs’ Wes Burford, one of the area’s most dynamic players, scored seven touchdowns last week against Patterson. But the Raiders are making progress after scoring 35 second-quarter points to beat East Union 49-14. “It was our best first half of the season,” assistant coach Myron Larson said. … Johansen (3-4, 2-2 WAC) is unbeaten at home but winless on the road after last week’s 34-14 loss at Lathrop. The Vikings trailed 20-0 at halftime. They can snap that streak at Central Valley. …
MJC travels to Fresno on Saturday afternoon for the Pirates’ Valley Conference opener and arguably their most important game. The Pirates (3-2), who captured an outright title last fall and shared first place with Fresno the previous two years, prepared during its bye week.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES – Oakdale at Central Catholic, Manteca at East Union, Patterson at Sierra, Downey at Turlock, Modesto at Gregori, Pitman at Enochs (at Johansen), Ripon Christian at Escalon, Sonora at Ripon, Hughson at Orestimba, El Capitan at Merced, Buhach Colony at Los Banos, Atwater at Golden Valley, Ceres at Grace Davis (at MJC), Johansen at Central Valley, Beyer at Pacheco,Lathrop at Livingston, Le Grand at Gustine, Stone Ridge Christian at Mariposa County, Waterford at Delhi, Linden at Riverbank, Big Valley Christian at Calaveras, River Islands at Bret Harte, Hilmar at Summerville, Argonaut at Galt, Union Mine at Amador
