For the first time since 2009, the Turlock Christian High varsity football team has won two out of their last three games (which includes last season's finale). The Eagles defeated Delta, 50-22, on Friday in the team's home opener.
“The kids really played well. It’s gratifying for the kids to see success,” said TC head coach Jake Von Scherrer. “We preach hard work and we just want to get better and when it translates to victory it makes it that much more fun.”
It was fun for the Eagles, who had Manny Preciado and Dominic Zendejas combine for 209 of the team's 348 rushing yards. Sophomore quarterback Jakob Skinner was 9-for-11, threw for 138 yards with three touchdowns while Coleman Kirkendall caught five passes for 100 yards and three TDs.
“Our adjustments from the first week really helped us out and also having that upperclassmen group helps as well,” said Von Scherrer, whose team lost to Delta, 45-12 last year. “Things were different and we played hard in all phases of the game.”
Junior Ben Balswick finished with eight tackles, a sack, and forced a fumble, behind a defense that tallied 77 tackles, two sacks and recovered two of three forced fumbles.
Of the underclassmen, freshman Kojo Bekoe-Sakyi came up with seven tackles and sophomore Desmond Barron tallied six tackles and deflected a pass.
The next contest for the Eagles will be an away game at Woodland Christian at 7 p.m. Friday.
“Woodland Christian took it to us last year and looking at them on tape, they are good so we will try to go out and do what we do with our sweep,” Von Scherrer added. “They run a lot so we will work on trying to control and make them do what they don't want to do.”
Delhi defeats Florin in season home opener
Junior fullback Jesse Flores rushed the ball 11 times for 178 yards and the Delhi High Hawks rolled over Florin High, 35-14, last Friday in the team's home season opener.
“It’s huge to get this win because everyone has high expectations for the team,” said Delhi assistant coach Erik Martinez. “We came out on fire. Delhi was rolling right away.”
The Hawks scored 14 in the opening quarter and the defense was lights out from the start, causing an immediate three-and-out and by the half the score was 21-6.
After a scoreless third quarter, Delhi managed to outscore Florin 14-8 in the fourth behind an offense that tallied 330 rushing yards combined, with an average of eight yards per carry.
“Defense stepped up great. The running was great, but Jesse Flores at fullback with the triple option he was able to bust up the middle,” Martinez said of Flores. “They started keying on us and that opened up a lot. Jesse was key to opening the running game and everything.”
Flores was a force on defense, accumulating 11 tackles, one for loss and a sack.
The next game for the Hawks of Delhi will be at Riverbank at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“I know the kids will be ready to come out and play hard against Riverbank,” Martinez added.
Jackets fall to Section champion Haybalers
The Hilmar High Yellowjackets were coming off a season opening win in their first week of action but things turned around quickly when they met the Central Coast Conference Division I Section champion San Benito High Haybaylers last Friday in a preseason showdown.
The Haybalers didn't take long to get on the scoreboard with their efficient and powerful running game, outscoring Hilmar 21-7 in the first quarter and by the half the scoreboard read 35-14.
Hilmar, a Division IV team, played as tough as possible but essentially the game ended at 49-20.
“We actually were competitive,” said Hilmar head coach Frank Marques. “It wasn’t as bad as the score sounds because our kids played hard and we battled the whole time. They are a Division I Section championship team and you need to be almost perfect against a team like this.”
Unfortunately for the 'Jackets, starting quarterback Daniel Teixiera, who was efficient in his first start a week ago, was rattled against a deep Haybaler team that caused Teixiera to fumble three times, losing it just once and throwing an interception.
Teixeira also scored the team's first touchdown in the first quarter when he scored on a 20-yard run.
Teixeira ended the game at 12-for-20 for 183 yards, a pick and a touchdown and 46 yards rushing.
“Besides some turnovers, we played well and Daniel [Teixeira] was great along with Alex [Chavez],” said Marques.
Hilmar receiver Chavez was without question a difference maker after the senior caught seven passes for a team-high 146 yards and notched a touchdown on a 78-yard grab.
Hilmar will travel to Sonora in their next game to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m. Friday.
