The Pitman Pride found redemption in this week's Central California Conference matchup against Golden Valley. Coming off a loss to Merced last week, the Pride held the Cougars to minimal yards and took the, 27-0, victory Friday night at Golden Valley High School.
The Pride took the win with three touchdowns and two field goals and the defense held the Cougars to minimal rushing yards.
Last week’s game against Merced broke the Pride’s undefeated record, leaving Pitman room to improve for their game at Golden Valley. Pitman head coach Tom Tyler believes his team was not as mentally prepared as they could have been.
“The defense did a pretty decent job in the second half and most of the second quarter,” Tyler said. “But we made so many stupid mistakes that I lost count of them.”
Those mistakes included 16 incomplete passes and four called penalties for off sides.
“It was just one of those games I guess,” said Tyler.
Golden Valley put up a fight early on, holding the Pride to 0-0 until the last minute of the first quarter when Pitman junior Ryan Yniquez ran for his team’s first touchdown.
After an interception made by the Pitman’s AJ Chaney, the Pride scored another touchdown early into the second quarter, bringing the score up to 14-0.
Continuing to hold the Cougar offense back, Pitman ended the first half by kicking for a completed field goal.
Going into the third quarter the Pride found themselves gaining yards, but the Golden Valley defense put the pressure on. The Pride kicked for their second field goal at the 39-yard line bringing the score to 20-0.
After more hard-pressed defense, the Pride’s Quentin Hernandez ran in for the team’s third and final touchdown of the night.
The fourth quarter saw Pitman’s defense hold back a hungry Golden Valley, who had managed to gain a few yards during the final moments of the game.
Pitman regained possession of the ball by the last minute of the game, leaving the final score 27-0.
“Don’t get me wrong I’m happy we came out here and beat a team we should’ve beat,” Tyler said. “But we really didn’t play as well as we should have.”
The Pride will continue their improvements when they travel to play against Atwater next Friday night.
