A year ago the Turlock High Bulldogs were 0-10. This year, they’re 3-0 after a 55-7 drubbing of Davis High on Friday night.
“These boys work hard and they all contribute, even the guys on the sidelines,” Turlock coach James Peterson said. “I’m real proud of the team.”
Turlock was in control for the entire game, with the full first quarter played on the Spartans’ side of the field. Senior DB Dylan Sylva grabbed an interception and sophomore DB DaShawn Holcombe recovered a fumble, both in the first, ensuring Davis had no chance at seeing the Bulldog’s 50 yards.
Turlock senior QB Kevin Kramer was the centerpiece of the offense, being directly responsible for four of the Bulldogs eight touchdowns. Kramer finished 6/12 passing with 123 yards and two touchdowns, and also had seven carries for 138 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Senior runningback Ricky Fuentes also had two touchdowns, including a 5-yard scamper for the first points of the game and a whopping 100-yard kick return in the third, immediately after Davis scored their lone touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Everado Olide grabbed two touchdowns as well, with a 35-yard TD in the first and a 37-yard TD in the second. He finished with 82 yards and 2 TDs on just three catches.
In the third, sophomore tailback Brandon Esquivel went to the endzone – part of his nine rushes for 74 yards performance – and Holcombe reeled in a 29-yard touchdown catch.
Turlock will take on Modesto High next week in an anticipated battle of unbeaten teams.
Pride shutout Skyline of Oakland
The Pitman Pride (2-1) went on the road to Skyline High (0-1) in Oakland, and came back with a 28-0 shutout win thanks to stout defense and a relentless offense.
“Offensively, I thought that all of our guys did a great job blocking tonight, and our defense did a great job pursuing the football,” Pitman coach Brandon Harris said.
Harris also credited his scout team in part for the win, who he said did an “incredible job” helping the Pride prepare.
That preparation helped the Pride to force four Titan turnovers, including fumble recoveries by senior defensive back Shea Patterson, senior defensive back Derick Avila, and senior linebacker Jaime Lima. Patterson also came down with an interception.
Offensively, the Pride started slow, with the first few drives fizzling out inside the 10 yard line. But with steady and patient play, Pitman tallied four touchdowns on the backs of Patterson, Avila, senior fullback Alex Rodriguez, and junior QB Anthony Coffelt.
Eagles earn close victory over Elliot Christian
The Turlock Christian Eagles (1-1) weren’t surprised by the sneaky A11 offense employed by Elliot Christian Eagles (0-2), as TC shut out Elliot Christian until the fourth quarter to win a close game 18-14.
Turlock Christian’s offense came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, with sophomore quarterback Chase Gonzales scoring on a 2-yard QB sneak to put TC ahead – for good – in the first quarter. Junior tight end Schyler Johnson scored on a 2-yard run in the second, and senior wide receiver Stetson Tucker broke loose on a massive 87-yard touchdown grab from Gonzales in the third quarter to seal the game.
Gonzales finished the game 9-12 with 178 yards and a TD both running and passing, while Tucker caught five passes for 111 yards. McSweeney and Johnson both made their presence felt on the defensive side of the ball as well, coming down with interceptions.
Elliot Christian first scored in the fourth quarter, and Turlock Christian thought that should have been their only score.
On Elliot Christian’s second TD it looked as if junior defensive back Ethan McSweeney had picked off a pass to the endzone. But the Elliot Christian receiver came in late, reaching for the ball on the ground, and the referee came in even later to give the touchdown to Elliot Christian.
That blown call didn’t blow the game for Turlock Christian, however, as time ran out before either team could score again. TC faces a tougher task next week, as the D6 Eagles will take on the D1 Chavez High School of Stockton.
Denair loses to Bret Harte
The Denair High Coyotes (1-1) suffered a tough loss to the Bret Harte Bullfrogs on Friday, falling 41-17.
Denair senior wide receiver Trevor Werner grabbed a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but that was all for the Coyotes in the first half. Senior kicker Paul Oei knocked home a field goal in the third quarter, and senior runningback Jacob Wagner ran for a 19-yard touchdown in the fourth, but the Coyotes couldn’t keep up with the Bulldogs, who scored 28 in the first half alone.
To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.
