The Central Valley High School varsity football team's bus broke down on the way to Sonora on Friday.
Hawk players and coaches arrived almost two hours behind their traditional pre-game schedule.
"Everything that could go wrong did," said Hawks head coach Tim Garcia, whose team was stranded in 100-degree heat before the non-league contest. "We got to the game late. Our starting running back (senior Vince Lopez) dislocated his pinkie in the second quarter. We were very fortunate to come out with a victory."
Central Valley (2-0) relied on its dominant running game for the second straight week.
Lopez rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries before being sidelined with a hand injury.
Junior Tyree Jones, Lopez's replacement, carried the ball 14 times for 132 yards and two scores.
"Tyree stepped in and played really well," Garcia said. "He's developing into the type of back we want him to be. Having Vince as a role model has been a positive thing for him."
Terrence Sadler, a fleet-footed junior, started at fullback.
"It's real competitive at the running back position right now," Garcia said.
Lopez and Jones helped the Hawks build a 14-12 lead in the first half.
Lopez scored on a 14-yard run in the opening quarter.
Jones' first carry resulted in a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Quarterback Jesse Hatfield threw TD passes of 65 and 45 yards to Greg Mathews after intermission.
Jones contributed a 9-yard rushing score.
Mathews had two interceptions on defense, bringing his season total to four.
Chris Moscozo and Alex Casas made eight and six tackles, respectively.
Damarea Reece broke up two passes.
Sonny Purewal filled in at cornerback for Lopez.
"The kids made plays," Garcia said.
Central Valley moved to 2-0 in preseason play.
"It's not a surprise," Garcia said. "We have high expectations."
The Hawks will battle host Hilmar (2-0) this Friday at 7:15 p.m. The Yellowjackets captured the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship in 2008.
"We feel we have a really good game plan," Garcia said. "Everyone's healthy. We'll give it our best shot."
Hawk players and coaches arrived almost two hours behind their traditional pre-game schedule.
"Everything that could go wrong did," said Hawks head coach Tim Garcia, whose team was stranded in 100-degree heat before the non-league contest. "We got to the game late. Our starting running back (senior Vince Lopez) dislocated his pinkie in the second quarter. We were very fortunate to come out with a victory."
Central Valley (2-0) relied on its dominant running game for the second straight week.
Lopez rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries before being sidelined with a hand injury.
Junior Tyree Jones, Lopez's replacement, carried the ball 14 times for 132 yards and two scores.
"Tyree stepped in and played really well," Garcia said. "He's developing into the type of back we want him to be. Having Vince as a role model has been a positive thing for him."
Terrence Sadler, a fleet-footed junior, started at fullback.
"It's real competitive at the running back position right now," Garcia said.
Lopez and Jones helped the Hawks build a 14-12 lead in the first half.
Lopez scored on a 14-yard run in the opening quarter.
Jones' first carry resulted in a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Quarterback Jesse Hatfield threw TD passes of 65 and 45 yards to Greg Mathews after intermission.
Jones contributed a 9-yard rushing score.
Mathews had two interceptions on defense, bringing his season total to four.
Chris Moscozo and Alex Casas made eight and six tackles, respectively.
Damarea Reece broke up two passes.
Sonny Purewal filled in at cornerback for Lopez.
"The kids made plays," Garcia said.
Central Valley moved to 2-0 in preseason play.
"It's not a surprise," Garcia said. "We have high expectations."
The Hawks will battle host Hilmar (2-0) this Friday at 7:15 p.m. The Yellowjackets captured the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship in 2008.
"We feel we have a really good game plan," Garcia said. "Everyone's healthy. We'll give it our best shot."
