Central Valley’s football team never recovered after Johansen swayed momentum in its favor during last week’s Western Athletic Conference game.
The host Vikings reeled of 21 straight points en route to posting a 28-7 victory over the Hawks Friday night in Modesto.
“We made some mistakes and they capitalized,” head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “That was the difference.”
The fourth-place Hawks dropped to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.
The second-place Vikings improved to 5-3 and 4-1.
Johansen dealt Central Valley its second consecutive loss.
“It’s always the same mentality for us,” Goblirsch said. “We want to win each week.”
Hawk quarterback Junior Gomez totaled 138 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 10 of 25 passes.
Julian Gonzalez caught four passes for 74 yards.
Caden Mendonca caught five passes for 59 yards.
Erick Mendoza had a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Sebastian Maldonado gained 43 yards on five carries.
Central Valley hurt itself by committing three turnovers.
“Offensively, we moved the ball well,” Goblirsch said. “We missed some opportunities. Our defense played great. I have no complaints.”
The Hawks had a chance to tie the game late in the first half.
Central Valley’s drive ended with a turnover at Johansen’s 25-yard line with less than a minute to play in the second quarter. A Hawk receiver slipped on a hitch route and a Viking defender intercepted the pass.
Johansen proceeded to extend its lead to 14-0 with 33 seconds remaining in opening half.
“It totally changed the momentum,” Goblirsch said.
Central Valley was outscored 14-7 after intermission.
The Hawks never recovered after the Vikings returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown.
“We’re not built to play from behind,” Goblirsch said. “We like to run the ball and control the clock.”
The Hawks will play the first-place Lathrop Spartans (7-1, 6-0) on the road this Friday.
Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
“You always want to see how you match up against the best team,” Goblirsch said.
Spartans 43, Dawgs 10
Ceres High’s football team had a productive week of practice leading up to its Homecoming game versus Grace Davis.
The Bulldogs kept the contest close in the opening half before losing 43-10 to the Spartans Friday evening at CUSD Stadium.
“We started the game off really well in the first half,” head coach Brett Johnson said. “They just outplayed us in the second half.”
Fifth-place Ceres High dropped to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the Western Athletic Conference standings.
Second-place Grace Davis improved to 5-3 and 4-1.
“We couldn’t slow down their run game,” Johnson stated. “We got out-physicaled.”
Grace Davis piled up 364 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
The Bulldogs were limited to 153 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Parker Borges finished 6 for 15 for 95 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Adrian Carillo caught two passes for 51 yards and one touchdown.
Ceres High mustered just 58 rushing yards on 19 attempts.
Alex Alvarez ran for 15 yards on three carries.
Ceres High’s Leo Ayala booted a 37-yard field goal and drilled his lone point-after kick.
Bulldog Dakota Pickett racked up a team-high 12 tackles on defense.
Abijah Bratton collected 11 tackles.
Nathaniel St. Macias tallied seven tackles.
Aiden Bowen had three tackles and one sack.
Ceres High trailed 20-10 at intermission.
The Bulldogs grabbed a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter when Ayala split the uprights from 37 yards away.
Ceres High committed two turnovers while being outscored 23-0 during the second half.
“I thought we matched up well with them,” Johnson said. “We went into it with a solid game plan. I expected a better game all four quarters.”
Ceres High’s mindset will remain the same for the rest of the season.
“You finish what you start and you finish strong,” Johnson said.
Ceres High will play host to Beyer (3-5, 1-4) this Friday at 7 p.m.
