Central Valley High School’s football team suffered its third-consecutive loss this past week.

The Cougars of Golden Valley led from start to finish in posting a 48-27 win against the visiting Hawks in Central California Conference play on Sept. 29 in Merced.

“We didn’t fight as hard as we could from the start,” Central Valley quarterback Yoshi Trujillo said. “We played a lot better in the second half. We tried harder.”

The Hawks dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the CCC standings.

The Cougars improved to 2-3 and 1-0.

“We knew going into the CCC the competition was going to be a lot tougher,” Trujillo said. “It’s not easy. No matter what the competition we play against, we have to push harder and believe in each other. We need to communicate better as a team.”

Trujillo completed 14 of 21 passes for 220 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while making his second start at quarterback for Central Valley.

 “I definitely felt way more comfortable this game,” said Trujillo, who finished 1 for 4 with just 5 yards in a 20-14 setback in overtime to Buhach Colony the previous week. “I’ve been working my butt off since the season started. I believe in myself.”

“A lot of leadership has been given to me,” he added. “That just comes with playing quarterback. I love the pressure. I love getting the team fired up.”

Hawk receiver Diego Delahoya caught six passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns versus the Cougars.

Roberto Tiscareno had a 13-yard TD reception.

Joseph Alamo totaled 81 yards on five catches.

Elijah DeLeon ran for 79 yards and one touchdown on three carries.

Omar Mendoza rushed for 26 yards on nine carries and hauled in one pass for 14 yards.

Ruben Valenzuela and Alejandro Hernandez led the way on defense with eight tackles apiece.

Alexis Becerra and Felix Arellano both tallied seven tackles.

Sophomore Darrius Jackson had four tackles.

Tiscareno totaled four tackles.

Central Valley will play host to first-place Patterson (5-2, 3-0) this Friday at CUSD Stadium.

Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

The Hawk have an outside shot at making playoffs this season.

The margin for error grows smaller with each loss.

“If everybody focuses on their job and gives it everything they have, we’ll have a shot,” Trujillo said. “We have talent. We just have to believe in ourselves.”