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A new tandem
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Central Valley High School's varsity football program had one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems in the Sac-Joaquin Section this past season.

Mew (2,957 yards and 29 touchdowns) graduated in June.

Williams (1,137-13) transferred to Modesto High.

Jesse Hatfield and Greg Mathews will be looking to etch their own names into the Hawk record books when they fill identical positions during the 2009 campaign.

"I think we'll be one of the best paired matchups in the league," said Jesse, who zipped passes to Greg at the JV level in 2008 and 2007.

Hatfield and Mathews turned in impressive performances in lifting Central Valley to a 42-24 win over visiting Ripon in 7-on-7 summer passing league action on Wednesday.

"I hope it carries over to the field (this fall)," Jesse said.

Hatfield completed 23 of 35 passes with six touchdowns, including three to Mathews, two to Sonny Purewal and one to Vince Lopez.

Jesse managed to pick apart Ripon's secondary despite playing with a broken right hand. He threw just one interception.

"I have some pretty big shoes to fill," Hatfield said. "I love the challenge."

Backup quarterback Greg Tripp finished 5-for-10 with one TD to Jesse Perea.

Mathews, Purewal, Lopez, Perea and Damarea Reese had eight, seven, six, three and two receptions, respectively.

Tripp and Tyree Jones both grabbed one pass.

Hatfield and Mathews accounted for Central Valley's first three touchdowns. Greg outjumped defenders in the right corner of the end zone each time. His third score gave the Hawks an 18-6 lead.

"I knew he'd catch the ball if I threw it up high enough," Jesse said.

Central Valley's great pass coverage resulted in 12 sacks. Lopez and Reese both had an interception.

"Our defense did really good," Hatfield said.

The Hawks have won five of six passing contests this summer. Central Valley topped Ripon twice, and Enochs, Modesto High and Beyer once.

"We'll get better," Jesse said. "We just got to keep on working."