Central Valley's and East Union's varsity football teams headed into Friday night's game with identical 2-4 overall and 0-3 conference records.
The Hawks remained in the Valley Oak League cellar with a jaw-dropping 27-21 loss in overtime to the Lancers at Bulldog Stadium. The stunning setback spoiled Central Valley's Homecoming.
"It hurts," Hawk receiver/safety Greg Mathews said just outside his team's locker room. "I thought we'd beat them but things changed in the end."
East Union rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind the never-say-die performance of junior Teejay Gordon, who made his first start of the season at quarterback in place of injured teammate Dennis Johnson. He threw for 273 yards and one touchdown, and scored three times during the game.
"He (Gordon) made some mistakes but he never gave up," Lancers head coach Mike James said. "That's a leader right there."
Gordon earned the respect of his teammates because he didn't let a horrible first half, in which he threw three interceptions, ruin his night. His teammates chanted his name loudly during the post-game huddle. They even picked him up on their shoulders.
"I was a little down at halftime," said Teejay, who struggled mightily after accounting for the game's first touchdown via an 11-yard run. "I talked with my coaches and they pumped me up. It felt good knowing my team was behind me from start to finish."
Gordon threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tj Brown and scored on a 1-yard QB keeper in the final period. He secured the victory when he raced untouched in the end zone for a 4-yard TD in overtime.
Central Valley had a chance to win the game in regulation but time ran out before Daniel Ochoa could attempt a 34-yard field goal.
The Hawks' previous offensive possession resulted in a turnover on downs at the East Union 1-inch line thanks to an incredible goal-line stand by the Lancers.
Gordon's winning score came several minutes after Ochoa's 28-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
"This feels great," Teejay said. "We haven't won a game in a while."
Central Valley players didn't enjoy listening to and watching East Union's celebration.
The Lancers snapped a three-game losing streak in stunning fashion.
The Hawks led 21-7 at halftime as Mathews hauled in TD passes of 13 and 7 yards from freshman Abraham Navarro, and returned an interception 45 yards for a score.
"We let them take over," said Greg, whose team had similar collapses in losses to Hilmar and Sonora. "I guess they wanted it more than we did."
The Hawks wasted a career-best 213 yards on 25 carries by Tyree Jones, who filled in for Vince Lopez (739 yards, five touchdowns). Lopez and Alex Casas, Central Valley's co-captains, missed the game due to suspension.
The Hawks will host the Weston Ranch Cougars (3-4, 2-2) this Friday at Bulldog Stadium. The contest will get underway at 7:15 p.m.
The Hawks remained in the Valley Oak League cellar with a jaw-dropping 27-21 loss in overtime to the Lancers at Bulldog Stadium. The stunning setback spoiled Central Valley's Homecoming.
"It hurts," Hawk receiver/safety Greg Mathews said just outside his team's locker room. "I thought we'd beat them but things changed in the end."
East Union rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind the never-say-die performance of junior Teejay Gordon, who made his first start of the season at quarterback in place of injured teammate Dennis Johnson. He threw for 273 yards and one touchdown, and scored three times during the game.
"He (Gordon) made some mistakes but he never gave up," Lancers head coach Mike James said. "That's a leader right there."
Gordon earned the respect of his teammates because he didn't let a horrible first half, in which he threw three interceptions, ruin his night. His teammates chanted his name loudly during the post-game huddle. They even picked him up on their shoulders.
"I was a little down at halftime," said Teejay, who struggled mightily after accounting for the game's first touchdown via an 11-yard run. "I talked with my coaches and they pumped me up. It felt good knowing my team was behind me from start to finish."
Gordon threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tj Brown and scored on a 1-yard QB keeper in the final period. He secured the victory when he raced untouched in the end zone for a 4-yard TD in overtime.
Central Valley had a chance to win the game in regulation but time ran out before Daniel Ochoa could attempt a 34-yard field goal.
The Hawks' previous offensive possession resulted in a turnover on downs at the East Union 1-inch line thanks to an incredible goal-line stand by the Lancers.
Gordon's winning score came several minutes after Ochoa's 28-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
"This feels great," Teejay said. "We haven't won a game in a while."
Central Valley players didn't enjoy listening to and watching East Union's celebration.
The Lancers snapped a three-game losing streak in stunning fashion.
The Hawks led 21-7 at halftime as Mathews hauled in TD passes of 13 and 7 yards from freshman Abraham Navarro, and returned an interception 45 yards for a score.
"We let them take over," said Greg, whose team had similar collapses in losses to Hilmar and Sonora. "I guess they wanted it more than we did."
The Hawks wasted a career-best 213 yards on 25 carries by Tyree Jones, who filled in for Vince Lopez (739 yards, five touchdowns). Lopez and Alex Casas, Central Valley's co-captains, missed the game due to suspension.
The Hawks will host the Weston Ranch Cougars (3-4, 2-2) this Friday at Bulldog Stadium. The contest will get underway at 7:15 p.m.
