The Pitman Pride are one step closer to achieving an undefeated conference record and clinch the Central California Athletic League after a sweep in Monday night’s match against the Enochs Eagles of Modesto.
The Pride defeated the Eagles by 25-9, 25-21, 25-11 set scores. They were led by senior Madison Eissayou, who had match-high 11 kills and three aces. Her work was complimented mostly by the efforts of senior Payton Rowell and her 24 assists.
The match win brings Pitman's league record to 8-0 and improves their overall record to 30-5. There are two matches remaining in the regular season, and the next will be arguably the Pride’s toughest opponent, crosstown rival Turlock.
The Bulldogs have a 22-11 overall and 7-1 CCAL record, with the only league loss coming against the Pride last month. A win for the Pride would clinch the league title, while the Bulldogs need a win to secure a chance to share the championship with their crosstown rivals.
FOOTBALL
Denair 14, Mariposa County 0, at Mariposa — The Denair Coyotes have matched their win total from a season ago after blanking the Grizzlies of Mariposa County by a 14-0 score on Friday night.
Both of the Coyotes’ touchdowns were scored by junior running back Jayden Hensley. Friday’s game was only the third game in which Hensley was available for Denair head coach Anthony Armas, as he had dealt with injuries through the first four weeks of competition.
“He really adds a different dynamic to the offense,” Armas said.
The game also marked the second shutout of the year for the Denair defense, who held Riverbank scoreless last month in a 20-0 victory.
The Coyotes have an opportunity to secure their third win of the season on homecoming night Friday when a struggling Delhi team (1-5) pays a visit. A third win would secure Denair the best record since 2019 when they achieved a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 record in the Southern Athletic League.
“A win against Delhi gives us an outside shot at the playoffs,” Armas said. “This is such a huge deal for us. It’s Delhi, which has become a rival of ours in some ways, it’s for our third win, it’s homecoming. All around it’s a big deal for our program.”
Hughson 41, Livingston 0, at Livingston — Alex Villarreal and David Delgado each scored a pair of touchdowns for the Huskies, who cruised to a Trans-Valley League win over the Wolves and stayed in the league-title chase.
With the win, Hughson (5-2, 1-1 TVL) remains one game behind Hilmar and Escalon, who meet this week at Modesto Junior College. Hughson will then travel to face Hilmar on Oct. 20.
Villarreal, a senior, broke free for a 56-yard TD run in the first quarter, pushing Hughson’s lead to 14-0. He finished the game with 109 yards rushing on just six attempts.
Larkin Meyer hauled in an 8-yard scoring strike from Robert McDaniel to opening the scoring.
Villarreal struck again in the third quarter when he connected with McDaniel for a 47-yard TD pass to make it 21-0.
Delgado took over from there, recovering a blocked punt in the end zone to make it 28-0 and then catching a 55-yard TD pass from McDaniel to extend the lead to 35-0.
Senior fullback Ryan Borrelli, a 6-2, 245-pound senior, barreled in from the 1-yard-line for the game’s final score.
Hilmar 35, Ripon 0, at Ripon — The Yellowjackets busted out to a 21-point first-quarter lead and never looked back in a Trans-Valley League triumph over Ripon.
Hilmar (5-2, 2-0 TVL) rushed for 325 yards against Ripon on 37 carries — an average of 8.8 yards per attempt. The Yellowjackets went to the air just six times in the game, completing three for 34 yards.
Caden Bailey led the charge on the ground, amassing 185 yards and two TDs on just 12 totes, and now has 992 rush yards for the season.
Logan Cardoso added 92 yards and a TD on 13 carries against LHS.
— CHRISTOPHER CORREA AND JOE CORTEZ/The Journal
