The Downey defense sits in silence as defensive coordinator Chris May summarizes his thoughts about the first half of the Central California Athletic League game against Enochs on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. (Diego Hernandez)

Photo Gallery: Stoddard, No. 2 Downey closing in on CCAL title, thumps Enochs

James Burns
-

FrontRowPreps.com photojournalist Diego Hernandez, a freshman at Modesto Junior College, captured the pivotal moments during Downey's 49-13 victory over Enochs on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

All the stars turned out for the No. 2 large-school Knights, who stretched their season-long winning streak to eight games. Quarterback Conner Stoddard passed for 455 yards and six touchdowns, and two of his receivers topped 170 yards: Gabe Hernandez had 202 yards and three touchdowns on 14 catches, and fellow senior Gavin Garcia had 174 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Running back Kimoni Ragland paced the Downey ground attack with 98 yards on just 11 carries. Stoddard capped the scoring with the Knights' only rushing touchdown.

Matthew Flores anchored Downey's defense with 11 tackles, while Cayden Edmiston and Ryne Moore had two sacks apiece.

For the second year in a row, Stoddard has positioned himself atop the pecking order in the Sac-Joaquin Section. He has thrown for 2,384 yards and owns a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 26-2, thanks in large part to Thursday's season-best performance against the Eagles. His passing yards (455), touchdowns (6) and total touchdowns (7) were season bests.

The Knights (8-0, 3-0) can boost their title defense with a victory next week against Gregori, also unbeaten in the CCAL. The Jaguars (3-4, 2-0) take on Pitman tonight, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

Here's a more intimate look at Thursday's CCAL matchup, through Hernandez's lens.

Downey defensive lineman Jerry Pacheco (left) bursts out of his stance. The Knights yielded just 13 points in a runaway win over Enochs.
Enochs wide receiver Chamarsie Breed (right) looks to put a move on his defender and break into space during Thursday's CCAL matchup.
Enochs quarterback Adam Ammar throws up a deep ball after being flushed from the pocket by the Downey defensive front.
Downey running back Kimoni Ragland stiff arms an Enochs defender. Ragland finished with a game-high 98 yards on 11 totes.
Enochs defensive end Roman Garcia gains the edge on the Downey offensive tackle and looks to put pressure on quarterback Conner Stoddard.